Tag Heuer vs Oris Watches Comparison

Comprehensive comparative analysis of Tag Heuer and Oris Watches models: Case finishes, movement precision, dial details and production tolerances are examined in detail with Saat Detective expertise standards.

We get a lot of questions where people are torn between two watch brands. Two brands that are frequently compared in this way are TAG Heuer and Oris watches. We hope that after reading this comparison and buying guide, you will know the answer to whether Oris or TAG watches are the perfect brand for you.

TAG Heuer VS Oris

Let's face it. There are many brands on the market that produce Swiss-made watches. It can be confusing having to sift through them all to find the one that really appeals to you. You need to ask yourself: "What exactly makes one better than the other?" For some, this is mechanical workmanship, for some it is design or even second-hand value, for some it is brand prestige and brand awareness.

Most often the decision is based on a price difference, but there are cases where some buyers are willing to pay more when the watch or watch brand has more to offer. That's why you need to understand more closely the brands you're dealing with. In the long run, this can make the difference between a watch you may regret later and a purchase that makes you proud.

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Differences in Second Hand Value

One thing that makes TAG stand out is its average resale value. In terms of what you initially paid for your watch versus how much of that you can expect to get back when selling a watch, accounting for inflation, you'll probably get more back from a TAG than an Oris.

You cannot give a general answer between these two brands regarding second hand. Most of this value is related to brand awareness, brand value and brand prestige. Other factors also come into play, such as the condition of the watch, which model you are selling, whether it comes with its original box and documentation, and a few other variables. What we are talking about is just an average resale value, and the truth is that you need to evaluate the resale value on a case-by-case basis.

What Makes Oris Watches Special?

One area where Oris has surpassed TAG is diving watches.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer vs Oris Diver

Oris produces a number of excellent dive watches that are waterproof enough for serious diving expeditions, including a few limited editions. One of these is a limited edition model specifically dedicated to Carlos Coste, the 11-time national freediving record holder.

TAG also makes waterproof watches, but they don't quite live up to Oris' reputation for the same type of waterproof watches.

Oris is also known for its pilot watches, with a huge collection of aviation watches known as the Big Crown. Big Crown has many series and collections. While many watches in this collection look quite tactical, like something you would wear in the army or air force, there are also many Big Crown watches that have a stylish and elegant look.

What Makes TAG Special?

TAG has been around for quite some time and as a brand has made some high-profile friends, including many Hollywood celebrities. The list of brand ambassadors includes actress Cara Delevingne, DJ/producers Martin Garrix and David Guetta, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, supermodel Bella Hadid, actors Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Chris Hemsworth, legendary quarterback Tom Brady... the list goes on. They are best known for their high-precision chronographs and several iconic watches, such as the TAG Heuer Monaco worn by actor Steve McQueen.

TAG's largest watch family is the Carrera series, which includes many series and collections. TAG recently added a skeletonized turbine watch to Carrera called the Carrera Heuer 02T, which is considered a high-complication watch. With this addition, the collection went from good to great. It's not often we see such complex mechanics from a TAG, but it looks like they're making moves to move their brand a little higher up and compete in the same market segment as other high-end watch brands. Recently, the Heuer brand has also entered an explosive new niche in the watch market, adding a smartwatch to the Carrera family called TAG Heuer Connected.

Who makes better clockwork?

Both companies use mechanical movements in many of their watches. Although most of these movements are what Swiss watchmakers would call "éboche" in French. An Eboche is a movement built from another base caliber. The world's largest Ebauche manufacturer is now ETA, which is owned by Swatch Group.

There are also smaller Ebauche manufacturers such as Sellita. Both ETA and Sellita produce high-end movements, and both Oris and TAG Heuer use such movements as the base caliber for many of their watches. One such example was the Caliber 16, which used ETA's legendary Valjoux 7750 caliber. Lately TAG has been making moves to manufacture more of its calibers and parts in-house, and with that usually comes a little extra prestige as a brand. So to speak, watchmaking has street cred.

They have also made some innovations over the years with some very interesting watches and prototypes. One of these was Mikrotourbillons, the world's fastest and most accurate double turbion watch. Another example was the Monaco V4, the world's first belt-driven watch, which took much of its inspiration from the sport with which TAG Heuer is most identified: motor racing. This is a brand so aligned with racing that TAG and motorsport are almost one and the same thing.

Oris also has its finger in the racing watch jar and has several racing watch collections.

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Oris VS TAG Racing Watches

Oris Racing Watches

Artix Chronoris Audi Sport Williams F1 Team Williams Engine TT1 Day-Date

TAG Race Hours

Carrera Caliber Heuer 01 Carrera Caliber Heuer 02T Carrera Caliber 5 Day-Date Carrera Caliber 16 Carrera Caliber 1887 Monaco

The Difference in Brand Value and Prestige

So which brand has higher brand value, TAG or Oris? TAG Heuer is owned by a French international conglomerate called LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy); This conglomerate is a huge company that houses many of the well-known names and fashion brands we all love, such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, BVLGARI, Sephora, DKNY, Fendi and many more. Many of these LVMH subsidiaries are also other high-end watch brands such as Zenith, Hublot, BVLGARI watches.

LVMH's TAG subsidiary alone has an estimated brand value of CHF 764,000,000 (CHF 764 million), according to a 2016 report by Interbrand, an agency that measures and compares the brand value of Switzerland's top companies and brands. This ranks TAG Heuer as the 34th most popular Swiss company in the top 50 list and the 12th most valuable Swiss watch brand in the world. *

According to a 2016-2017 study by Brand Finance (a brand consultancy company), watch manufacturers account for approximately 13% of the total Swiss brand value, spanning many sectors. TAG's Brand Strength Index is 78.4, making it the 3rd strongest Swiss watch brand in the world. **

Unfortunately, Oris didn't quite make it into either list, but that has nothing to do with the quality of an Oris watch. In terms of value per dollar, you can get more for your money with an Oris watch. Their watches are indeed solid and very well made.

Because Oris is a private company and therefore does not have the backing of an international fashion conglomerate, they do not have the opportunity to highlight their brand like many of their competitors; but again this says nothing about their workmanship or quality.

Oris watches are known for being durable and priced so that you get plenty of horological value—and not just that much brand value—for your money.

Who Makes More Stylish Classic Watches?

While the majority of both TAG and Oris's watches are designed to look sporty, both brands produce many classic watches.

TAG has another collection called the Carrera Caliber 5 series for men and the TAG Heuer Link series, which consists mostly of women's watches. While Link offers both Quartz and Automatic Movements, Carrera Caliber 5 consists of watches with mechanical movements only.

Oris also has its own stylish looking watch collection called the Oris Artelier collection. Some even have interesting movements in their cases, such as the manually wound Artelier Caliber 112, which features a 1.8 meter long mainspring, giving the watch an impressive 240 hours/10 days power reserve with a single winding.

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