Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Independent Swiss maker of mechanical watches.
Until Oris traces its gold and gemstones to the mine, it can't show that the miners who dig them are safe or fairly paid.
Better-graded watches
Graded higher than Oris, selling the same kinds of things.
No watches brand selling new goods is Good yet. These are the strongest so far.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 4 of 7 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It relies on high-risk mined materials it can't trace. That alone means a poor grade until it takes steps to trace them.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually unprotected.
Good requirements 4 of 7
- Met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: presumed because legal wages in Switzerland are about a living wage, not checked at the company
- Met: Respects worker rights
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Not met: Shows where its earlier production stages happen, not just the final oneA "Made in" claim can cover only the final stage. Earlier stages to show: watch movements, cases and dials, and cast or set parts
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listMakes its products in its own factories
- Not met: Conflict-free: diamonds, gems and gold traced to the mine, lab-grown, recycled or Fairmined (the Kimberley Process alone isn't enough)
Red flags 1
- Red flag: Relies on high-risk mined materials it can't trace
- Red flag: Fails its category's raw-material check (means Lacks transparency)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From Oris's own disclosure: it makes its products in its own factories.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | Regular violations | About a living wage | Low |
Evidence
What we found
- Risk across the industry, not a finding about this company: gold and gemstone mining are linked to child labour, forced labour and mercury poisoning.
- Owns or runs its own production
- "Made in Switzerland" only means the last major stage happened there: under customs and consumer law, watch movements, cases and dials, and cast or set parts can be made elsewhere. It hasn't shown where those earlier stages happen, so where it's made counts towards On Track but not Good.
- Relies on gold and gemstones from artisanal mines where workers face mercury poisoning, silica dust and deadly collapses. It hasn't shown any steps to trace these materials to the mine, so it's graded Lacks transparency until it does.
Research notes Oris assembles its watches at its own factory in Hölstein, Switzerland, but buys most movements and parts from outside suppliers it does not name. Its 2024 sustainability report covers climate neutrality, FSC packaging and Swiss deer-leather straps, but has no supplier code of conduct, supplier list, audits, human rights due diligence or living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No labour abuse allegations involving Oris or its suppliers were identified. View |
| News reporting and NGO investigations | Not listed | Not among the 21 watch and jewellery brands rated in WWF's 2023 Watch and Jewellery Report, the latest edition. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- WWF Watch and Jewellery Report 2023 · search the archive · Rates 21 watch and jewellery brands; Messika, Oris, Chaumet and Harry Winston are not among them.
- Oris announces new manufacture Calibre 400 (aBlogtoWatch) · search the archive · Calibre 400 designed in-house; many models still use movements from outside suppliers.
- Oris Boutique Melbourne (Collins Street) · search the archive · Oris boutique at 288 Collins St, Melbourne.
Published by Oris or its owner
- Oris Sustainability Report 2024 · search the archive · Factory in Hölstein; climate neutral since 2021; FSC watch box; deer leather straps from Swiss hides; no supplier or human rights disclosure.
- Oris - History · search the archive · Independent watchmaker founded in Hölstein in 1904.
Company details
- Headquarters
- Switzerland
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Oris ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/oris, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Oris.