The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Rega Fleet Limited Edition AgustaWestland "Da Vinci" AW109SP

If you hadn’t already heard, Oris has released a total of 21 different limited-edition iterations of a special Rega Fleet watch based on the design of the Big Crown Pro-Pilot. The purpose and mission of the organisation are perfectly captured inside a compact 41mm sturdy stainless steel case design launched for Geneva Watch Days 2021, with special touches to be appreciated such as a gunmetal PVD-coated surface, a GMT function and a pulsometer scale. Each of the 21 iterations that pay homage to a different airframe, including the AgustaWestland "Da Vinci" AW109SP, are limited to 100 pieces, totalling 2,100 timepieces in total.

Oris has partnered up with a Swiss non-profit organisation to create a series of limited-edition timepieces that pay homage to Swiss air rescue. The service’s fleet of 21 airframes comprises 18 helicopters and 3 fixed-wing aircraft. Just last year, Rega completed a total of 16,273 missions and has played an integral role in repatriating Swiss individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its mission statement reads:

“We provide an around-the-clock service offering swift, expert assistance by air. In particular, we transport medical care to the casualty and help in emergency situations. This assistance also takes the form of medical advice and the use of our infrastructure. Our operations are characterised by our highly qualified, professional members of staff and the very best equipment available in the fields of rescue, medical and flight technology”.

Oris has dedicated much of its research and efforts towards manufacturing functional and affordable pilot’s watches – the first ones of which were created back in the 1910s. The Big Crown watch has always been one of the brand’s signature designs, which first launched in 1938. The term “Big Crown” is actually taken from one of the main features of an Oris pilot watch – an oversized crown, designed for an easy grip. Despite this large feature, the size of the new Oris Big Crown ProPilot Rega Fleet Limited Edition watch is a very manageable 41mm. Oris has developed a specially engraved caseback for each of the 21 different airframes occupying Rega. These include the AgustaWestland "Da Vinci" AW109SP which we’ll look at in this article.

Development for the Da Vinci project – the light twin AW109SP – started back in 2006. The lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter was designed by Anglo-Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland and is also known as the “109 Grand” or the “Agusta Grand”. Designed for high altitude rescue missions as well as the rapid hospital-to-hospital transfer of severely injured patients, the aircraft is fitted with specialist medical equipment and was developed after an extensive evaluation process was carried out for its use as part of the Rega fleet. Paying homage to the work carried out by the helicopter and its operators, Oris has specially engraved the back of the case with an image of the aircraft as well as some references like the unique tail number of each airframe.

A detailed look at the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Rega Fleet Limited Edition AgustaWestland "Da Vinci" AW109SP

The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Rega Fleet Limited Edition AgustaWestland "Da Vinci" AW109SP watch is crafted from robust stainless steel and has been finished with a gunmetal PVD-coated finish. This execution brings a modern touch to the wrist, despite the rest of the design remaining pretty classic in design. The case of the watch is also 100-meter water-resistant and features the familiar easy-grip crown engraved with the Oris logo. A double domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass front has been treated with a layer of anti-reflective technology to assist with timekeeping whether under the glare of direct sunlight or artificial lighting. As well as a special engraving paying homage to the AgustaWestland "Da Vinci" AW109SP, the watch is also engraved with an individual serial number relating to each one of the 100 pieces available for each type.

Inside the case of this new limited edition Rega Fleet watch from Oris is a self-winding movement based on the Sellita SW330-1. It produces 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a very useful 42-hour power reserve whilst strapped to the wrist with a stylish black leather strap. Of course, the performance of the movement is concealed behind a closed caseback whilst it propels the hands around a sleek matte black dial. The watch is also equipped with a bidirectional rotating bezel stamped with a pulsometer scale and a red triangular “golden hour” marker. The pulsometer function was added to the design of this Oris Big Crown ProPilot watch in response to the requests of professional pilots who had been asked to contribute to the design. The addition of the pulsometer scale alongside an innovative GMT function bridges the gap quite aptly between both aviation and medical professionals alike.

Upon the stealthy black dial of the new Oris Rega Fleet AgustaWestland "Da Vinci" AW109SP watch is a black-coated central second hand, tipped with a white Super-LumiNova end. The GMT hand which works in conjunction with a second time zone – a 24-hour scale around the flange – is tipped with a red arrow motif for easy reference and the dial also offers a date function at 3 o’clock. Another coordinated red finish can be seen in the red Rega logo positioned just above the 6 o’clock location. As mentioned, the watch is completed on a black leather strap with a gunmetal PVD-coated folding clasp that has been engraved with the Oris logo. Supplied with every purchase of these 100-limited-edition watches is a strap remover tool and an additional rubber strap in the Rega Fleet air ambulance red colour.

Technical Specifications of the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Rega Fleet Limited Edition AgustaWestland "Da Vinci" AW109SP

• Case: 41mm – gunmetal PVD-coated stainless steel – 100-meter water-resistant – double-domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – bidirectional rotating bezel with pulsometer scale - screw-down engraved crown – closed caseback engraved with a reference made to the AgustaWestland "Da Vinci" AW109SP airframe
• Dial: Matte black dial – Super-LumiNova-coated central hour and minute hands – black coated second hand – white Super-LumiNova-tipped GMT hand – 24-hour scale – date at 3H – Red Rega logo – Arabic numeral hour track
• Movement: Oris 798 – self-winding – based on the Sellita SW330-1 – 42-hour power reserve – 28,800 v.p.h – 25 jewels – hours, minutes, seconds, dual time and date functions
• Strap: Black leather – gunmetal PVD-coated folding clasp – strap changing tool – additional red rubber strap
• Availability: 1 of 100 pieces available worldwide
• Price: £2,600