The NEW Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date Bronze

The first bronze watch for the Oris Big Crown ProPilot collection and it’s a true pilot’s watch, with hour markers crafted from solid Super-LumiNova.

Oris and bronze watches

Oris’ relationship with bronze is still unfolding. The anniversary between the two spans back to 2016 with the release of the bronze Carl Brashear watch. Then came bronze Oris watches like the Holstein Edition 2020 Bronze Chronograph, crafted from a solid piece of bronze and produced in a limited series of just 250 pieces worldwide. It was the first Swiss-made timepiece to showcase a bracelet fully crafted from bronze. And bronze Oris watches didn’t stop there. The brand also released a bronze version of the popular Big Crown Pointer Date. Now, we’re not just talking about a pilot’s watch with some elements of bronze featured here and there. This was a timepiece devolved with a bronze case, bezel, crown and even a bronze dial. Of course, this version caught collectors’ attention since it looked so different from the brand's 80th-anniversary models, boasting stunning deep green dials. It was a good “different”. We’ve also been treated to bronze versions of the Diver’s Sixty-five range, which proved themselves popular with their gradient sunset dials.

The relationship between Oris and bronze watches continues, and what better way to nurture this special bond between expert watchmaking and the highly corrosion-resistant material than with a pilot’s watch that continues to tell a story of the brand’s heritage in aviation? The new Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date watch celebrates the warm, “oldy-worldy” charm of bronze in the form of this expertly crafted pilot’s watch, complete with fluted bezel, a reliable automatic movement, and a true pilots watch dial (we’ll touch on that in a little while). For now, meet the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date bronze watch ref: 01 751 7761 3164-07 3 20 03BRLC.

Oris watches for aviation

When Oris began producing pilot pocket watches back in the 1910s, the watchmaker’s commitment to the aviation industry was engrained into history. The first Oris picot’s wristwatch was developed in 1917 and from the late 1930s, these specialist timepieces were known as the Big Crown watches. The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date in particular is a vintage-inspired wristwatch that offers the collector many traditional elements. Similarly, the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date offers very classic styling and features an oversized date, just as it does a large and easy-to-grip crown. Before now, the Big Crown ProPilot, which launched in 2014, has been offered in a blue, black or grey dial housed inside a stainless steel case. Introducing the watch in a bronze material, of course, must feel like a bold step for the famous Swiss watchmaker, but it’s nothing the manufacturer can’t handle. It gives the watch a resolutely retro-inspired spirit and is expected to go down well with pilot watch collectors who like the vintage look.

The new Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date Bronze

Size-wise, the new bronze Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date watch measures a comfortable and very manageable 41mm diameter. This is pretty much standard for a classic pilot’s watch size. It sits upon the wrist at a 12.4mm height and features a multi-piece case with a sapphire crystal glass top and a mineral glass caseback. The warmer and inviting tones of the watch’s bronze case offer a somewhat soft and subtle feel with plenty of character to enjoy whether you’re planning to pair the watch with smart-casual attire or something much more sophisticated. The coin-edged bezel helps create a presence on the wrist, as does the oversized crown. The sapphire crystal glass top has been treated with a layer of anti-reflective technology to eradicate any undesirable glare when referencing the time under direct light. The screw-in crown and caseback of the new bronze Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date watch help the case to uphold its 100-meter water resistance, whilst the mineral exhibition caseback pus an automatic movement on show as it powers away.

The Oris 751 Calibre is a self-winding engine that beats away rhythmically, completing a total of 28,800 vibrations per hour and building up a power reserve of 38 hours. Its general build and features are based on the Sellita SW 220-1 but features the brand’s signature red rotor that can be admired through the exhibition caseback feature. Back to the dial-side of the watch and the Oris Big Crown watch in bronze presents the time on a black dial with white Arabic numerals and a set of central hour, minute and second hands. Here’s where Oris goes that extra mile in ensuring the dial of the watch promises all the credentials considered of an authentic pilot’s watch. The hands have been treated with Super-LumiNova, whilst the Arabic numeral hour markers are devolved from solid blocks of Super-LumiNova. They, of course, improve legibility in the dark but also promise a longer-lasting glow. There’s also a useful date window a 3 o’clock, surrounded by a minute track in golden tones.

The green Ventile® strap that secures the Big Crown ProPilot Big Date Bronze watch around the wrist, is also equipped with a special “lift” clasp. This feature is inspired by passenger aircraft seatbelt buckles and adds a very quirky touch to the overall design of this luxury pilot’s watch.

For more information on the new bronze watch from Oris, you can check the product page out here, or call our Jura Watches team on 01335 453453

Technical specifications of the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date Bronze watch

• Case: Bronze – 41mm – coin-edged bezel – sapphire crystal glass front with AR treatment – 100-meter water-resistant – mineral glass caseback – 12.4mm height - screwed caseback – screw-in crown
• Dial: Black – white Super-LumiNova coated hands – solid Super-LumiNova Arabic numeral hour markers – Big Date window at 3 o’clock – golden minutes and Oris lettering
• Movement: Oris 751 Calibre – self-winding – Swiss-made – based on the Sellita SW 220-1 – 38-hour power reserve – 28,800 v.p.h – 26 jewels – hours, minutes, seconds, big date functions
• Strap: Green Ventile® - bronze “lift” clasp
• Reference: 01 751 7761 3164-07 3 20 03BRLC
• Price: £1,650