Introducing the Oris Big Crown ProPilot TLP Limited Edition

Oris unveils the limited-to-750-pieces Big Crown ProPilot TLP watch. A 44mm Day-Date model that celebrates its partnership with the elite training school, equipped with a flight jacket-inspired dial colour and a high-performance Ventile® strap.

Oris began specializing in aviation timekeeping tools during the early 1900s with its first line of pilot’s pocket watches followed by the company’s very first pilot’s wristwatch just seventeen years later. Today, timepieces like the Oris Pointer Date, Oris Big Crown and Oris Big Crown ProPilot models remain some of the brand’s most popular tools, with vintage-inspired characteristics that tip their hats to earlier models from a bygone era. Given Oris’ deep-rooted relationship with aviation timekeeping, its partnership with NATO’S Tactical Leadership Programme and the release of the new Big Crown ProPilot TLP Limited Edition watch seems a natural fit. The programme, which is also known as the Pilot School of NATO, resides in Albacete, Spain and comprises both civilian personnel and members of the military. The ten-nation organization utilizes advanced combat pilot training and aims to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of tactical leadership within this field of expertise.

Big in size as one would expect, the Oris Big Crown ProPilot TLP Limited Edition watches offers the likes of bonafide pilot watch collectors and Oris fans a few unique features. Firstly, the timepiece is crafted from stainless steel but executed in an anti-reflective gunmetal grey coloured PVD coating. Secondly, the military green-coloured dial of the watch is inspired by the TLP’s green flight overalls and features a grainy matte texture that donates added depth and character to the design. The golden eagle featured within the TLP logo shares its beige colour with the Arabic numerals and some other features on the dial. Lastly, the Ventile® strap used to complete the military-inspired look of this pilot’s watch is crafted from a material developed during the Second World War for the British Air Force Pilots, which subsequently saved lives on the frontline.

The Big Crown ProPilot

By definition of a tool watch, military pilots watches like the Oris Big Crown ProPilot must tick some boxes. Defining a pilot’s watch is both technical and complex. The watch must have a high contrast dial with large, distinct hands and identifiable markings to assist with quick referencing of the time in the cockpit. The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Day Date model passes this requirement with distinction. Oris uses the archetypal Arabic numerals to define the hour tracks of its watches from this collection, coating them with Super-LumiNova to assist with legibility.

Precise enough to give an exact motion of time, a pilot’s watch must also be reliable and accurate. It is generally large in size and should be able to fasten over the top of a flight jacket. In addition to this, the chronograph pushers or crown should be easy to navigate under thick Pilot gloves. It comes as no surprise that due to these credentials and the instantly recognizable look of a pilot’s watch, these flying tools have now become a popular style to be collected and worn on the wrist as an everyday robust watch. The Oris Big Crown ProPilot TLP Limited Edition watch features lugs that are curved enough to create a retro-inspired feel but practical enough for wearing on the wrist every day of the week. Let’s take a look at its design in a little more detail…

The new Oris Big Crown ProPilot TLP Limited Edition watch 

The new Oris Big Crown ProPilot TLP Limited Edition watch is 44mm wide and crafted from stainless steel with a gunmetal grey-coloured PVD coating. It also features a coin-edged bezel inspired by a jet engine turbine, a 100-meter water-resistant case and a screw-in crown for added security. The top of the case is equipped with a scratch-resistant sheet of sapphire crystal glass, treated with anti-reflective technology on both sides. The back of the case bears the limited edition number engraved into its surface. The lugs of the case lead to the high-performance green Ventile® strap with a matching stainless steel gunmetal grey PVD-coated lift folding clasp to secure neatly around the wrist.

The dial of the Oris Big Crown ProPilot TLP Limited Edition watch is inspired by the colour of the flight jackets worn by students of the training programme, whilst the beige-coloured accents seen in the Arabic numeral hour track and the lettering upon the dial’s surface is inspired by the colour of TLP’s golden eagle logo. The tip of the central second hand is coated in a red hue for added legibility and the large day and date feature residing at 3 o’clock is easy to reference. The hands and hour markers on the dial are coated in Super-LumiNova material to aid readability in low-light conditions or during the night.

In addition to these features, the new Oris Big Brown TLP Limited Edition watch is powered by the automatic, self-winding Oris 752 movement, which features a total of 26 jewels and offers a useful 38-hour power reserve. The engine performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations and offers hours, minutes, seconds, day, day and corrector. The fine timing device has a stop second feature and is concealed behind a closed caseback.

In addition to the 750 pieces allocated to the general public, Oris has also offered up a chance for a pilot graduating from TLP to win a bespoke timepiece engraved with their name, year of the programme and limited edition number on the caseback. Presented inside an olive green and orange Ventile® travel pouch with a cardholder for the warranty card, the Oris Big Crown ProPilo TLP limited Edition watch is available to purchase from Jura Watches now.

Technical specifications:

• Case: 44mm stainless steel coated with gunmetal grey PVD / screwed / specially engraved limited edition number / coin-edged bezel inspired by a jet engine turbine / anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass top / screw-in crown / 100-meter water-resistant
• Dial: Flight jacket-green-inspired dial / beige-coloured Arabic numerals inspired by golden eagle TLP logo / large day-date at 3 o’clock / Super-LumiNova-coated hands and indexes
• Movement: Oris 752 / automatic, self-winding / hours, minutes and seconds / large day-date / 28,800 v.p.h / 38-hour power reserve / 26 jewels / fine timing device and stop-second feature
• Strap: Green Ventile® strap with stainless steel gunmetal grey PVD-coated lift folding clasp
• Availability: Limited to 750 pieces worldwide
• Price: £1,850
• Reference: 01 752 7760 4287-Set