Introducing the Oris Artelier Complication

The Artelier line has always sat slightly outside the mainstream Oris catalog, sitting a little like the ugly duckling from Hans Christian-Andersen’s fairy tale next to the icons that are the Big Crown and Propilot. The Artelier less tool watch, more restrained, dressier. For those of you who know the ending of the fairy tale will know the point I am trying to make. The Artelier is the elegant gem in Oris’ purpose driven catalogue and the new Artelier Complication keeps that identity intact. Oris has taken a watch that previously did not quite hit the mark and has stripped it back to the parts that matter: a moonphase and a second time zone. That sounds like a simple and insignificant change but it changes how the watch presents itself entirely.

The Basics

Case: 39.5mm, Stainless Steel.
Crystal: Sapphire.
Movement: Automatic, Oris Calibre 782, Moonphase, Second Time-Zone.
Water Resistance: 30 Meters.
Strap Options: Leather Strap or Stainless Steel Bracelet.
Price: CHF 2,300 (Strap) / CHF 2,500 (Bracelet).
Availability: May 2026.

The Juice

Recently, Oris has been moving towards tightening up their designs with sharper, less cluttered, and altogether a more modern feel. The Artelier Complication is not different and the change starts with the dial. Previous versions of the Artelier Complication had more going on, but also less functionality. There were a lot of additional elements that made it very busy. This one pulls things back to two main functions: moonphase at 12 and a second time zone at 6.

As a result of these two complications feel a lot more deliberate becuase they have some breathing room. That decision does two things. First, it clears space. The dial feels more open, more deliberate. Second, it gives those two complications room to actually stand out. The layout is symmetrical without feeling rigid. The moonphase itself has been reworked in a subtle way. The aperture is still based on the traditional cut-out shape, but it’s visually integrated into the subdial by matching the background. That sounds minor, but it increases cohesion and reduces the visual break you normally get with date or moonphase windows. It’s a small touch that has a huge effect and I don’t really understand why more brands don’t do it.

The dial is offered in three fabulous tones: a deep midnight blue, a reddy chestnut, and a crisp silver. The are all given the same grainy matte texture that dulls any reflection or light, drawing attention the complications of the watch. None of them feel overly saturated. The hands and markers have also been updated. They’re more angular now, with square tips and sharper edges. It’s a small change, but it aligns with the overall move toward a more modern design language.

Underneath, the Calibre 782 is doing its job without drawing attention to itself. It’s based on the previous 781 architecture but simplified to support the cleaner dial layout. You get automatic winding, a 41-hour power reserve, and a stop-seconds function. Adjustment is handled through the crown and a single pusher integrated into the case, which is about as straightforward as it gets for this type of complication.

The case itself sits at 39.5mm, which feels like a deliberate middle ground. It’s large enough to carry the dial layout comfortably but not so large that it loses the dress watch feel. It is so minimalist that there is very little to say about, but I think that is the point: the star if the show is the complications. The thickness, just under 12mm, keeps it wearable in most situations.

Final Thoughts

The Artelier Complication works fabulously because Oris have made the perfect design choices: concentrating their attention on the complications. The spec sheet and price tag, combined with these to die for modern looks, make this watch an incredibly compelling piece, especially for collectors looking to get a watch that ticks several boxes. Too often, we focus on the super-expensive high-end releases at Watches & Wonders, but this might steal the show on the more affordable end of the spectrum.

Find out more about this watch here.