An Oris Carlos Coste Chronograph LE Watch Review

Oris has really outdone itself this time with the introduction of the Oris Carlos Coste Chronograph LE watch. Produced in collaboration with freediving world record holder Carlos Coste, production of the watch has been limited to just 2,000 worldwide. I simply love this Oris dive watch and would love to get my hands on one.

The first thing I couldn’t help but notice was that it is a ‘left-handed’ watch; the screw-down crown and pushers are located on the left side of the case! After taking this in, the next thing you couldn’t help but notice is how big it is; the size of the case is 27mm (1.85 inches), it’s a huge chunk of metal.

The case is made of titanium, which makes it look great and helps keep the weight of the Carlos Coste Chronograph down. The bezel is unidirectional. The bezel resembles the bezel on some of the Breitling dive watches: it’s a bit thinner than normal, which means the watch face is larger.

The case is perfectly complemented by the titanium bracelet. I think its nice, simple, chunky design really offsets the case and watch face. As you’d expect with a serious dive watch, you get an extension that can be used when wearing wetsuits.

This Oris watch comes with a 4.80mm sapphire crystal caseback, slightly domed on the outside with an anti-reflective coating on the inside. Combined with the helium valve, the watch has an immersion depth of 1,000 meters.

The movement, like many Oris watches, is automatic.

Like I said, this Oris watch is strictly limited in number. The bottom of the case is printed with the logo and signature of Carlos Coste.

But what really impresses is the Oris Carlos Coste Chronograph LE watch face. The dial is painted black with a subtle wave pattern. The needles are thick and coated in a striking dark orange color Superluminova. The indexes and the rim of the chronometer seconds dial, at the 6 o’clock position, are also made of dark orange Superluminova.

The dial is busy but the watch gets away with it, I think because of the huge 27mm dial. You get a center hour and minute display, a small seconds hand at the three o’clock position with a day and date display at the nine o’clock position.

The titanium combined with the black dial with hints of dark orange make this Oris watch visually striking. There is no doubt that this watch will really be a hit for Oris.

Do I have any reservation? Not really. Some might say that the watch is too big for everyday use. But I like to wear big watches and regularly wear my Suunto Stinger watch and Breitling Navitimer.

If there were a small flaw in the Oris Carlos Coste watch, it could be that the rotor is red, the characteristic color of Oris. It would be great, and would make the watch really special, if the rotor were colored orange to match the hands and indices.

This Oris watch is really beautiful and would definitely be a watch that I would love to have in my collection.