Candy comparison: How do the Oris Cotton Candy and Rolex OP dials compare?

Zach Blass

Oris has really dug into bronze of late with the material repeatedly featuring in the brand’s catalogue in recent years. But one thing Oris has done with bronze that you never really see in the industry is produce bronze-cased watches with matching bronze metal bracelets. We first saw this when they released the Oris Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph Holstein Limited Edition in 2020 with a run of 250 pieces. At Watches & Wonders, Oris returned a full bronze aesthetic to the catalogue, but this time as standard production and paired with eye-grabbing “cotton candy” dials. When I first got a sneak peek during the Oris Annual Review of the Oris Cotton Candy Divers Sixty-Five, I immediately began to draw a dial connection to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual models released in 2020 that revitalised the playful Stella dials of the past.

A quick introduction to the Oris Cotton Candy Sixty-Five Divers

The Oris Cotton Candy Divers Sixty-Five is a very approachably sized watch that will attract buyers of all gender identities. The 38mm case diameter is a first for the Sixty-Five collection, creating a new middle ground between the existing 36mm, 40mm, and 42mm sizes. It is entirely bronze aside from the solid stainless-steel screw-down caseback and the colour treated stainless steel screw-down crown. The uni-directional bronze bezel has a timing scale raised in relief, with the numerals brushed and the insert surface frosted. The brushed bracelet is also almost entirely bronze, with brushed bronze links and a brushed bronze clasp with five positions of micro adjustment that will really aid in finding the perfect fit. The folding arm of the clasp is made of stainless steel, but as a component that is not visible while worn, it by no means ruins the bronze aesthetic of the watch and increases the durability of a sensitive component. For those who prefer leather straps, there are configurations on brown leather with a bronze buckle as well. With 100 metres of water resistance the diver will make a fun daily wear and would certainly liven up any trip to the beach.

There are three dials within the Oris Cotton Candy Divers Sixty-Five collection, each with some fun pep in their step: sky blue, wild green or lipstick pink. Regardless of the dial colour you choose, all three models have the same hand, marker, and calendar layout and aesthetic. The central hours, minutes, and seconds hands match the bronze tone of the watch – as do the applied circular, boxed, and shield shaped hour markers that surround the dial. They are filled with creamy toned SuperLuminova® to ensure visibility in darkness above and below the surface of the water. At 6′ an applied hour marker is replaced with a date aperture cut out that hosts a black on white date disc, situated just above and in between the Swiss Made notation below.

Inside the Oris Cotton Candy Divers Sixty-Five is the Oris caliber 733, based on the SW-200. It has 38 hours of power reserve and a sporting beat rate of 28,800 vph. While not listed as a COSC-certified chronometer, it is fair to expect a solid degree of accuracy from the robust ebauche and finishing touches incorporated by Oris.

How do the Oris Cotton Candy and Rolex OP dials compare?

The dials of the Oris Cotton Candy Divers Sixty-Five have a similar tonal theme to the 2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual collection. Aside from the green dials, the blue and pink dials can be quite similar depending on the light. The real difference at play is the texture. The matte Oris dials are more grained, and as a result reflect light in the same manner that copy paper would. The colours are seemingly stronger and a tad darker to the eye. The 2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual dials appear softer with the gloss lacquer much smoother up close.

The two that are totally different colour shades are the green dials within each collection. The Oris wild green is more of a bright mint green, whereas the Rolex OP green is a much darker forest green. The stronger comparisons are the blue and pink dials, but the blue is definitely closer in colour than even the pink.

When the Oris Cotton Candy Divers Sixty-Five launches in June, it will present a strong opportunity to get in on the peppy pastel fun. It will also be far more accessible than the Rolex Oyster Perpetuals, both in terms of inventory and price. The only lingering question I really have is how the cotton candy dials will pair with the bronze metal over time. The material will inevitably darken and patina, and I am curious to see how well these coloured dials will work with an aged case and bracelet. Part of me believes these watches will look their best when the bronze is pristine in tone, and that maybe a stabilized bronze would be more appropriate for the collection. That being said, part of the fun is finding out for yourself over the course of wear.

Oris Cotton Candy Divers Sixty-Five pricing and availability:

The Oris Cotton Candy Sixty-Five Divers will be available from Authorized Dealers in June 2021. Price: $2450USD on leather strap, $2750USD on bronze bracelet