Every collector has that watch.
Not the most expensive. Not the rarest on paper. But the one that quietly lives on your mental “get list” for years – the one you search for late at night, compare listings for, almost pull the trigger on… and then wait. And wait.
For me, that watch has long been the Oris Chronoris Grand Prix ’70 Limited Edition.
And now, after years of watching, hunting, and hoping – I’ve finally secured one.
Mint. Complete. Number 0308 of just 1970 pieces.
And somehow… it was worth every second of the wait.
Why This Chronoris?
Oris has always had a knack for making watches that feel honest and full of character, but the Chronoris Grand Prix ’70 hits a very specific sweet spot: vintage motorsport energy without feeling like a retro gimmick.
This isn’t a costume piece. It feels like an instrument – something that could genuinely belong trackside in the golden age of racing.
From the moment you see it, you know exactly what it’s about.
Dial: Pure Racing Instrumentation
The dial is where the Chronoris earns its Grand Prix name.
Layered, high-contrast, and deeply functional, it balances visual punch with genuine legibility. The layout is driven by the Oris Calibre 677, based on the Valjoux 7753 architecture, and the design makes full use of the movement’s capabilities:
- Central hours and minutes
- Central chronograph 1/4 second hand
- Continuous seconds subdial
- 30-minute chronograph counter
- 12-hour chronograph counter
- 24-hour hand with second time zone (GMT) mechanism
- And , a 10 minute countdown timer
It’s busy in the best possible way – like a dashboard pulled from a classic endurance racer. Every scale and subdial has a purpose. Every hand tells part of the story.
You don’t just glance at this dial – you read it.
The Case: 1970s Form, Modern Presence
The stainless steel cushion case is pure retro motorsport – broad, purposeful, and unmistakably 1970s in spirit. It has real wrist presence without feeling oversized, sitting in that sweet spot where vintage inspiration meets modern wearability.
The finishing is classic tool/sports-watch Oris: predominantly brushed, with sharp lines and just enough polish to catch the light. It feels robust, like it was designed to be worn, not just displayed.
But the real twist is the crown.
A Crown Unlike Most Others
At first glance, it looks like a screw-down crown. It isn’t.
Instead, Oris gave the Chronoris a twist-lock crown system:
- Twist to unlock
- Pull to set
- Push back in
- Twist to lock
It’s a wonderfully quirky, tactile system that feels mechanical and deliberate – very on-brand for a watch inspired by an era when engineering solutions had personality. It also contributes to the watch’s practical robustness, making this a chronograph you don’t have to baby.
It’s details like this that elevate the Chronoris from “nice reissue” to “proper enthusiast piece.”
Under the Hood: Oris Calibre 677
Powering the watch is the Oris Calibre 677, based on the tried-and-true Valjoux 7753.
This movement brings serious mechanical credibility:
- Chronograph with central 1/4 second timing
- 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters
- Continuous seconds
- Date with corrector
- GMT / 24-hour hand for tracking a second time zone
- Stop-seconds for precise setting
- 10 minute countdown timer
- Around 48 hours of power reserve
It’s not haute horlogerie – it’s purposeful, proven engineering. The pushers have a firm, reassuring click, the reset is crisp, and the watch feels like it’s built to be used, not just admired.
Exactly what a motorsport chronograph should be.
The Extras That Make It Special
This isn’t just a watch – it’s a full experience.
The Chronoris Grand Prix ’70 Limited Edition came with:
- A special presentation box
- A pair of vintage-style leather driving gloves
- A signed, numbered certificate that unfolds into a 1970s F1 poster
- Limited production of just 1970 pieces
Owning number 0308/1970 makes it feel even more personal — like a small but tangible connection to the story Oris was telling with this release.
It’s the kind of set that makes unboxing feel like opening a piece of racing history.
More Than a Purchase – A Finish Line Moment
I’ve seen other Chronoris examples over the years – some worn hard, some incomplete, some just not quite right. I held off, waited, and refused to compromise.
Finding this one in outstanding condition, full set, running perfectly – felt less like buying a watch and more like finally catching a car you’ve been chasing for years.
Collectors will understand that feeling. It’s not about hype. It’s not about resale. It’s about the quiet satisfaction of finally adding a long-desired piece to the collection and knowing:
This one was worth the wait.
Final Thoughts
The Oris Chronoris Grand Prix ’70 Limited Edition isn’t the flashiest chronograph out there. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t chase trends.
What it does have is character, mechanical substance, and a design that genuinely captures the spirit of vintage motorsport.
After years on my grail list, it’s finally on my wrist – and it feels exactly where it belongs.
This one’s not going anywhere. 🏁
Specifications:
- Reference: 01 677 7619 4154-Set
- Case: Multi-piece stainless steel case
- Size: 42.50mm
- Movement: Oris 677 (Valjoux 7753) – with GMT
- Reserve: 48 hrs
- Crystal: Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
- Water Resistance: 5ATM / 50M
- Strap: Racing black leather with green accents
- Extras: Special presentation box, vintage style leather driving gloves and signed/numbered limited edition foldo out poster
GNOMONIST 