Options for an old(ish) Oris Williams.
Discussion
Hi all,
Despite being relatively young (32) and of the generation where no one wears watches anymore in favor of using their phone or smart watch, I have always worn an Oris Williams watch that I bought while on holiday in Switzerland around 12 years ago. It is just a basic watch with time, day and date and the F1 tread pattern style rubber strap. No chronograph or anything. I have worn it every single day since then and it has seen some serious abuse but it just keeps going. Despite this though I have never serviced it. Not sure why, just never felt the need to and I am ignorant as to the reasons why they should be.
Recently, in the last few months the resistance of the winding mechanism has subtly increased, and the automatic wind doesn't seem sufficient anymore to get it through a whole night (this may be because my job has changed and I sit at my desk more). The rubber strap is also starting to fracture around the metal mounts. Considering the use it see's i am impressed the rubber strap has lasted this long! The sapphire glass front is still perfect though although the metal bezel is quite heavily dinted, nothing has broken through the black finish so it still looks remarkably good for its age.
I have no idea on value/collectibility. Is it worth (and even possible?) me replacing the strap and getting it serviced or would it be better to just trade it in for something new? I had always intended to upgrade it one day but the moment never felt right.
Thanks all.
Despite being relatively young (32) and of the generation where no one wears watches anymore in favor of using their phone or smart watch, I have always worn an Oris Williams watch that I bought while on holiday in Switzerland around 12 years ago. It is just a basic watch with time, day and date and the F1 tread pattern style rubber strap. No chronograph or anything. I have worn it every single day since then and it has seen some serious abuse but it just keeps going. Despite this though I have never serviced it. Not sure why, just never felt the need to and I am ignorant as to the reasons why they should be.
Recently, in the last few months the resistance of the winding mechanism has subtly increased, and the automatic wind doesn't seem sufficient anymore to get it through a whole night (this may be because my job has changed and I sit at my desk more). The rubber strap is also starting to fracture around the metal mounts. Considering the use it see's i am impressed the rubber strap has lasted this long! The sapphire glass front is still perfect though although the metal bezel is quite heavily dinted, nothing has broken through the black finish so it still looks remarkably good for its age.
I have no idea on value/collectibility. Is it worth (and even possible?) me replacing the strap and getting it serviced or would it be better to just trade it in for something new? I had always intended to upgrade it one day but the moment never felt right.
Thanks all.
A service will restore its function. If you go to an independent, expect to pay £100 to £150. Main dealer will charge at least four times that for exactly the same work. Try Joe at Anglesea Watch Centre, Rigga (on here) or use the BHI website to find a member near you.
Just look on ebay or amazon for a new strap. Measure the distance between the lugs and the third planet is your dubious sea dwelling mollusc.
"Worth it"? Well that's up to you. No reason that watch won't outlast your offsprungs offspring, provided you care for it with a service every ten-ish years.
Just look on ebay or amazon for a new strap. Measure the distance between the lugs and the third planet is your dubious sea dwelling mollusc.
"Worth it"? Well that's up to you. No reason that watch won't outlast your offsprungs offspring, provided you care for it with a service every ten-ish years.
Thanks Mike.
Yeah, your watch is well worth keeping.
The Williams F1 models are my favorite of the Oris Range.
I can Service it and get you a new strap for a lot less than i would imagine anyone else can.
Give me a shout with pictures and Model number and ill do you an estimate.
Kind Regards
Rigga
Yeah, your watch is well worth keeping.
The Williams F1 models are my favorite of the Oris Range.
I can Service it and get you a new strap for a lot less than i would imagine anyone else can.
Give me a shout with pictures and Model number and ill do you an estimate.
Kind Regards
Rigga
You have done well to get it at the price you did. Even back then, they were a luxury brand and worth double what you paid.
They are currently a £1200 watch and I have just sold mine a few months ago for £795 as it had a tatty "wheel" box, but I would have got a grand if it was in better condition. Should have just bought a better box in hindsight.
They are currently a £1200 watch and I have just sold mine a few months ago for £795 as it had a tatty "wheel" box, but I would have got a grand if it was in better condition. Should have just bought a better box in hindsight.
Interesting thread, I also have a 12 year old Oris Williams F1, think I paid about £350 for it from an AD in Hong Kong when on holiday, worn loads since and while I don't wear it as much now, holds plenty of sentimental value to me because of the "life journey" it's been on. Need to consider a service as well.
Rigga - can you source any Oris strap? Looking for a rubber strap with new clasp for a TT3, which think I've had about 10 years
Rigga - can you source any Oris strap? Looking for a rubber strap with new clasp for a TT3, which think I've had about 10 years
I am an O, so yeah, I can get anything that is available.
Unfortunately, they sometimes only do short runs of Straps, so i would have to ring up and price it.
Normally they are about £140 not including the clasp, but some are cheaper and some are more pricey.
If you message me the details of your watch. (xxxx) from the case back, i can find out.
Sometimes, you could be better off fitting a generic.
Unfortunately, they sometimes only do short runs of Straps, so i would have to ring up and price it.
Normally they are about £140 not including the clasp, but some are cheaper and some are more pricey.
If you message me the details of your watch. (xxxx) from the case back, i can find out.
Sometimes, you could be better off fitting a generic.
JackReacher said:
Interesting thread, I also have a 12 year old Oris Williams F1, think I paid about £350 for it from an AD in Hong Kong when on holiday, worn loads since and while I don't wear it as much now, holds plenty of sentimental value to me because of the "life journey" it's been on. Need to consider a service as well.
Rigga - can you source any Oris strap? Looking for a rubber strap with new clasp for a TT3, which think I've had about 10 years
I had my TT3 Serviced by Oris service centre in HK in 2016. Full service, polish case and buckle, new bezel and new strap, cost me HK$2750 all in.Rigga - can you source any Oris strap? Looking for a rubber strap with new clasp for a TT3, which think I've had about 10 years
Watch came back looking like new!
RiggaTheMighty said:
Thanks Mike.
Yeah, your watch is well worth keeping.
The Williams F1 models are my favorite of the Oris Range.
I can Service it and get you a new strap for a lot less than i would imagine anyone else can.
Give me a shout with pictures and Model number and ill do you an estimate.
Kind Regards
Rigga
Seeing as you are here, I have a lot of Heuer stopwatches, many of which need a service. What sort of price would you be looking at?Yeah, your watch is well worth keeping.
The Williams F1 models are my favorite of the Oris Range.
I can Service it and get you a new strap for a lot less than i would imagine anyone else can.
Give me a shout with pictures and Model number and ill do you an estimate.
Kind Regards
Rigga
Thanks. My experience is that very few run well. Accuracy is poor and resetting in slightly the wrong, but always the same, place is common too.
Compare this to new old stock Heuers that I have, which are impressively accurate, even over their full 6hr or 12hr register in some cases, and the difference is night and day.
Compare this to new old stock Heuers that I have, which are impressively accurate, even over their full 6hr or 12hr register in some cases, and the difference is night and day.
That's unfortunate that you have had that experience of them.
Ive never had one that wasn't absolutely perfect.
The ones I've seen have been bang on the markers every time and when tested with a digital stopwatch, they were accurate to within a tenth of a second in most cases.
I once had one that was literally perfect. right on the money every time over a minute and when left to run its full 30 minutes, it was still spot on.
Ive never had one that wasn't absolutely perfect.
The ones I've seen have been bang on the markers every time and when tested with a digital stopwatch, they were accurate to within a tenth of a second in most cases.
I once had one that was literally perfect. right on the money every time over a minute and when left to run its full 30 minutes, it was still spot on.
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