Watches And Wonders 2026: Oris Just Dropped A New Complication And Rewrote Its Own Story

At Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, Oris isn’t just introducing new watches, it’s sharpening its narrative. The independent Swiss brand arrives this year with a compelling duality: a forward-looking complication designed for a new generation, and a deeply considered revival rooted in one of the most pivotal moments in its history. On one hand, there’s the return of a poetic classic the Artelier Complication reimagined with contemporary restraint and clarity. On the other, the Star Edition revisits a turning point from the 1960s, when Oris broke free from industry constraints and redefined its future. Together, the two launches capture what Oris does best: blending accessibility, storytelling and mechanical integrity into watches that feel both personal and purposeful.

Artelier Complication: A Modern Moon Phase for a New Generation

Oris’s urban dress watch is back and this time, it’s sharper, cleaner and more self-assured. The new Artelier Complication marks the return of a much-loved model, now redesigned to reflect a more modern, uncluttered aesthetic without losing its emotional core.

At the heart of the watch is its most poetic feature: the moon phase. Long before space travel captured the public imagination, watchmakers were already fascinated by the Moon’s 29.5-day cycle, translating its rhythm into mechanical form as early as the 18th century. That fascination endures. From the glow of a full moon casting the world in monochrome to humanity’s lingering ambition to return to its surface last walked on in 1972 by astronaut Gene Cernan the Moon remains a powerful symbol of both science and romance.

It’s precisely this duality that defines the new Artelier Complication. Launched at Watches and Wonders 2026, the model leads a broader redesign of the Artelier collection, helmed by 24-year-old Product Design Engineer Lena Huwiler. Her approach was both bold and disciplined: simplify, refine and refocus. The most significant decision was to reduce the dial from four sub-counters to two a moon phase display at 12 o’clock and a second 24-hour time zone at 6 o’clock.

The result is immediate. The dial feels lighter, more legible and distinctly contemporary, while still retaining the essential information. Functionality, too, has been streamlined, with all adjustments now controlled via the crown and a single integrated pusher on the case flank. Powering the watch is the new Oris Calibre 782 automatic movement, based on the architecture of its predecessor but reworked to support the simplified display. The pared-back mechanism mirrors the visual clarity of the dial a technical evolution that directly enhances usability.

Aesthetically, the watch is carefully considered. The dial is offered in three tones ivory, midnight blue and chestnut each divided into three zones: a textured centre, a smooth, gently curved outer rim, and the two sub-counters that define the watch’s identity. On the chestnut version, darker counters heighten legibility, while across all models, the silvered moon sits against a starry sky that seamlessly integrates with the curved aperture, softening what is traditionally a more baroque design element.

Details reinforce the modernist intent: tapered, stepped hour markers, square-tipped hands, and a new sans serif typeface lend the watch a quiet confidence. A domed sapphire crystal completes the composition. At 39.5 mm, the case strikes a carefully judged balance  substantial enough for presence, yet refined enough for everyday wear. It’s a size that feels universal, designed to sit comfortably across wrist profiles without losing its elegance. Ultimately, the new Artelier Complication is exactly what Oris set out to create: a romantic tribute to traditional watchmaking, reinterpreted for a generation that values clarity, individuality and emotional connection.

Price:

Bracelet CHF 2’500

Strap CHF 2’300

Star Edition: A Tribute to Freedom and a Turning Point in Time

If the Artelier Complication looks ahead, the Oris Star Edition looks back to a defining chapter not just for the brand, but for Swiss watchmaking as a whole. Its story begins in the mid-20th century, when the Swiss Watch Statute introduced in the 1930s during the Great Depression placed strict limitations on innovation within the industry. Designed to stabilise the market, it had an unintended consequence: it stifled competition and prevented companies like Oris from advancing their technical capabilities.

For decades, Oris was restricted to producing pin-lever escapement movements, widely perceived as less refined. The breakthrough came in 1965, when a young lawyer, Dr Rolf Portmann, successfully fought to overturn the statute after nearly a decade of effort. The following year, Oris introduced its first lever escapement watch the original Star marking the beginning of a new era of independence and innovation. Sixty years on, the Oris Star Edition celebrates that milestone. 

Faithful to the 1966 original, the new model captures the spirit of a time when watch design was shifting away from rigid conventions. The 35 mm case retains its distinctive barrel shape, with integrated lugs that give it a seamless, sculptural quality. The aesthetic is unmistakably mid-century modern clean, functional and quietly confident. The dial continues this theme. Finished in silver, it features twin baton hour markers, square-tipped hands and an asymmetrical date window at 3 o’clock. Vintage-inspired details including the “Star”, “Automatic” and “26 Jewels” inscriptions reinforce its historical authenticity, while a plexi crystal adds a final nostalgic touch. The watch is paired with a classic black leather strap.

Inside, however, is a thoroughly modern engine: the Oris Calibre 733 automatic movement, offering a 41-hour power reserve. The caseback is engraved with the 1960s Oris Shield crest, a subtle but meaningful nod to the brand’s heritage. Importantly, the Star Edition is not limited a deliberate choice that echoes Oris’s long-standing commitment to democratising mechanical watchmaking. When the original Star was introduced, it represented a shift towards accessible luxury, reflecting changing tastes in a more liberated era. This new edition carries that philosophy forward. More than just a revival, the Star Edition is a reminder of resilience. It honours a moment when Oris refused to accept limitation, choosing instead to challenge the status quo and redefine its place within the industry.

Price: CHF 1’800

Two Watches, One Philosophy

Taken together, the Artelier Complication and the Star Edition articulate a clear message: Oris is a brand that understands both where it comes from and where it’s going. One celebrates mechanical poetry through a contemporary lens; the other commemorates a hard-won freedom that made such creativity possible in the first place. In a landscape often dominated by excess and spectacle, Oris continues to focus on what truly matters thoughtful design, meaningful storytelling and watches that connect, quietly but powerfully, with the people who wear them.