One To Watch | Oris Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary Edition

With not a single battery in sight, Oris are renowned for the mechanical masterpieces; choosing to shun the world of quartz for the natural power that fuels every Oris timepiece.

Since they were first established in 1904, Oris’ philosophy has been to create watches that not only serve a purpose, but that can be industrially produced to meet the highest standards at a reasonable price.

Now in its 80th year, it’s fair to say that the Oris Big Crown Date has fulfilled that timeless brief phenomenally.

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An Icon For The Generations

A timepiece that has cemented Oris’ status as a leader in Swiss Made mechanical watches, the Oris Big Crown Date has remained in constant production since it was first introduced in 1938; surviving wars, radically changing fashions and the advent of quartz, to become one of the most recognisable watches of all time.

Designed as a pioneering watch for pilots, it was engineered with an oversized crown so that its functions could be easily operated whilst wearing gloves.

Already celebrated for their beautiful, high-quality and reasonably priced watches, the Big Crown Date confirmed Oris’ dedication to producing functional instruments, by asserting itself as being extremely reliable and easy-to-use - even in the most hostile of conditions.

Celebrating An Oris Icon

An evolution of Oris’ signature timepiece, the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary Edition is a spectacular watch.

Apart from its unusual complication, its most distinctive feature has got to be its beautiful bronze case.

A perfect reflection of Oris’ industrial approach to watchmaking, its striking case gives it a practical, utilitarian aesthetic which is in-sync with the brand’s complete opposition to any extraneous design elements.

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Style Statement Meets Functional Innovation

Presented on a smart dark brown leather strap, which is made with sustainably sourced and produced materials, the 40mm bronze case is as beautifully finished as ever with its elegant fluted bezel and, of course, its signature oversized crown.

Everything about this watch is designed to work in harmony.

Both the soft leather strap and the bronze case will age beautifully over time; the bronze developing a subtle patina that will eventually make each watch completely individual. Matched with its striking green dial which complements the case and strap perfectly, Oris have succeeded in creating an aesthetic that not only looks great, but is somehow symbolic of the rich heritage and history of the brand itself.

An Unusual Complication

Beneath the sapphire crystal, the design cues which stood the Big Crown Date Pointer apart from the rest in its early years still endure today.

Whilst its functionality obviously gives it a unique design identity, it’s the little details that really make this watch stand out.

We love the beautifully designed numerals (especially the number 4, with its elegant, fluid outline), the cathedral hands, and the pointer date hand which is cleverly designed to frame the date - making it easy to read at a glance.

Its design is special not only because of the added function of a central date hand, but because of what is taken away as a result. No date window means a much cleaner dial and, therefore a much more balanced aesthetic.

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Mechanical Animal

Of course, beating at the heart of the Oris Big Crown Date Pointer 80th Anniversary Edition is a purely mechanical movement.

A watch that is hailed as playing a pivotal role in Oris’ survival of the Quartz Crisis back in the ’80’s, this anniversary edition is powered by the Oris 754 automatic movement with a respectable power reserve of 38 hours. You can also get a glimpse of the famous red rotor through the exhibition case-back.

All in all, this is a beautiful timepiece which is designed to develop its own character over time. You’ll almost certainly find yourself becoming increasingly attached to it as the years go on.

A collection which will appeal to those looking for a functional, mechanical timepiece at an excellent price point, the Oris Aviation collection starts from £1,160 or £21.75 per month with interest free credit.