Every summer since 2020, Oris—one of Switzerland’s most fiercely independent watchmakers—has honored its roots with the release of a limited-edition timepiece under the Hölstein Edition banner. Named after the village where the brand was founded in 1904, the Hölstein Edition is not merely a watch; it is a yearly tribute to Oris’s design ethos: playful yet precise, mechanical yet emotional, heritage-rooted but forward-facing.

In 2025, the Oris Hölstein Edition returns with what might be its boldest visual departure yet—a monochrome chronograph, punctuated by high-contrast luminous detail, and anchored by a stealthy black-and-white motif. And yet, amid the restrained palette, the watch exudes something rare in modern horology: levity.

This year’s edition is not content to merely echo the past or indulge in vintage nostalgia. Instead, the Oris Hölstein Edition 2025 proposes a conversation between duality and design—between function and fun, between light and shadow. It’s a watch that doesn’t whisper legacy—it radiates it.

The Spirit of Hölstein: Why This Edition Matters

Oris has never hidden its commitment to independence. In an industry dominated by conglomerates and ultra-luxury groups, Oris remains steadfastly self-governed, proudly producing mechanical watches designed to be worn, used, and celebrated. The Hölstein Editions underscore this difference—not as collector’s items meant for vaults, but as expressive tools for the everyday enthusiast.

Each edition in the Hölstein series has showcased a unique dimension of the Oris identity—from playful bear-casebacks to bronze Divers Sixty-Five models and Aquis offshoots that push boundaries. But the 2025 edition, with its stripped-down palette and luminous contrast, feels like a reassertion of clarity.

In short, this isn’t a throwback. It’s a statement.

Case and Construction: A Study in Duality

At 40mm in diameter and forged in matte-finished stainless steel, the case of the Hölstein Edition 2025 is both modern in its profile and timeless in its presence. The familiar silhouette takes inspiration from the Oris Chronoris architecture, but here, it’s rendered in a sleeker, monochromatic frame.

Where previous editions leaned heavily into bronze or colorful nods to mid-century diving heritage, this model introduces restraint as its defining design principle. It’s a tactical take on elegance—Monocle meets Mission: Impossible. The case is brushed to absorb rather than reflect light, the lugs are compact and assertive, and the pushers balance cylindrical geometry with mechanical tactility.

At 14.5mm thick and featuring a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, the piece wears confidently but comfortably, evoking the subtle heft of professional-grade equipment. A screw-down crown and 100 meters of water resistance round out its everyday utility.

Dial Design: Black and White with a Flash of Fun

The dial is where this watch earns its personality. Deep matte black forms the base, interrupted by crisp white sub-dials and minute tracks. Oris resists the temptation to over-brand; aside from a clean wordmark at 12 o’clock and limited-edition numeration at 6 o’clock, the dial is all about balance.

But what truly elevates the aesthetic is the application of Super-LumiNova. Hands, hour markers, and chronograph accents glow with a soft, almost ethereal green in darkness, transforming the watch’s mood from professional tool to near-cosmic artifact. The lume isn’t just functional—it’s expressive. In fact, it might be the most joyful aspect of the otherwise serious design.

It’s a study in contrasts: bright versus subdued, analog precision versus emotional resonance. It’s proof that a mechanical object, executed with care, can be both art and utility.

The Movement: Oris Calibre 771

Under the hood is the Oris Calibre 771, a robust automatic chronograph movement based on the Sellita SW 510 architecture. With a 48-hour power reserve and a 4Hz beat rate (28,800 vibrations per hour), it’s a tried-and-true engine capable of timing with reliability and fluid sweep.

The movement powers a bi-compax layout—two sub-dials instead of the traditional three—creating visual symmetry and clearing space for the bold indices and minute markers. The running seconds reside at 9 o’clock, while a 30-minute chronograph counter lives at 3. The omission of a date window feels intentional: this watch is for moments, not months.

Oris also opted for a solid caseback engraved with the beloved Oris Bear motif, a signature of the Hölstein Editions. In this iteration, the bear is playfully rendered in a racing suit—reinforcing the watch’s motorsport DNA with a wink.

Strap and Wearability: Purpose Over Pretense

The Hölstein Edition 2025 comes mounted on a black perforated leather rally strap, evocative of vintage racing gloves and dashboard interiors. The texture adds just enough detail to break up the monochrome uniformity, while the contrast stitching subtly echoes the lume color.

The strap is fitted with a signed deployant clasp, providing a snug, secure fit that elevates both comfort and convenience. It’s a watch meant to be worn, not just admired. Whether paired with a suit, a leather jacket, or a technical vest, the Hölstein 2025 adapts without losing identity.

Also included in the presentation box: a NATO-style fabric strap for those inclined to switch aesthetics and lean deeper into tool-watch territory.

Limited, But Not Exclusionary

Only 250 pieces of the Oris Hölstein Edition 2025 will be made, continuing the brand’s tradition of tightly-controlled annual releases. And yet, the pricing remains accessible—a move that reaffirms Oris’s stance on making high-quality Swiss mechanical watches within reach.

In a luxury landscape often inflated by artificial scarcity and hyperbolic branding, Oris’s approach is refreshing. There’s no attempt to inflate value through celebrity endorsements or faux exclusivity. The value lies in the craftsmanship, the story, and the community.

Each Hölstein Edition is accompanied by a numbered certificate, hand-signed by CEO Rolf Studer—a subtle yet powerful gesture that connects each piece back to the heart of the brand.

Time as Emotion: What This Watch Represents

Oris’s slogan, “Go Your Own Way,” has never felt more accurate. While other brands chase innovation through abstraction, the Hölstein 2025 reasserts that innovation can also mean refinement—reduction to essentials, executed flawlessly.

But perhaps the most compelling feature of this timepiece is its emotional character. This is a watch that glows—not just in the dark, but within its wearer. It’s playful without being unserious, detailed without being loud. It invites conversation not because it screams for attention, but because it radiates intentionality.

In that way, it’s a reflection of time itself. Luminous. Brief. Full of contrast.

Ideologue

The Oris Hölstein Edition 2025 is more than a black-and-white chronograph—it’s a celebration of opposites in harmony. It is a reminder that even the most utilitarian tools can carry meaning. It proves that levity doesn’t dilute seriousness—it enriches it.

As horology shifts further into either ultra-luxury art pieces or hyper-digital functionality, Oris has staked out a third path. It is a brand that still believes in the wristwatch as a medium for emotion and identity—a wearable narrative. And with this edition, the narrative is clear: time can still surprise us.

With just 250 pieces circulating the globe, the Oris Hölstein Edition 2025 will no doubt become a cherished collector’s item. But more importantly, it’s a reminder—perhaps in black and white, but no less radiant—that time is worth celebrating.

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