Oris Big Crown Pointer Date

History of an icon

The Oris Big Crown was born in 1938 and quickly became a benchmark watch for airline pilots thanks to its oversized crown that can be easily handled with gloves. Over the years, the Big Crown has become a symbol of aviation heritage and timeless style, continuing to be a popular choice for its aesthetics and performance. Its elegant design and reliability also attract watch enthusiasts and collectors.

The collaboration with Cervo Volante has resulted in three new dial colors inspired by the Swiss Alps, as well as a red deer leather strap that is sustainably designed without chemicals and 100% vegetable tanned.

Specifications

• Movement : Oris 754
• Diameter : 38mm
• Lug to lug : 45,5mm
• Thickness : 12,5mm
• Lug width : 19mm
• Water resistance : 50m (5 ATM)

Case

This new Big Crown features a stainless-steel case that is 38 mm in diameter, 12.5 mm thick and 45.5 mm lug to lug.

These dimensions make this model more universal, as the previous 36mm or 40mm models made it difficult to choose for more intermediate sized wrists.

Two levels of finishing are shown on this case, the sides are polished and the lugs are brushed in a linear motion.

The screw-down crown at 3 o’clock is also polished and stamped with the “ORIS” logo. Its diameter of 7.3 mm is the DNA of this model since it makes it easier to use and those even with thick gloves, hence the name big crown.

Finally, a double-domed sapphire crystal sealed by a polished fluted bezel closes the case. It is also anti-reflection treated on the inside, providing very good visibility and readability.

On the other side, the mineral glass case back lets us admire the 754 caliber and its red rotor, signature of Oris. The contours of this case back are also fluted.

Dial

Resulting from the collaboration with Cervo Volante, the dial is inspired by the Swiss Alps.
Indeed, it is made of a grey gradation going from anthracite grey in the center to black on the edges.
As a pilot’s watch, the hour markers (printed) are in large Arabic numerals to ensure maximum readability.

On the outermost perimeter is the day track used for the date.
Between this and the hour markers is the minute track printed in a railway style.

The hands are cathedral style with the additional date hand ending in an inverted triangle.

Lume

In terms of luminescence, it is not very powerful but fulfills its role for a reading of the time at night.

The indices as well as some markers of the minute track are luminescent as well as the hour and minute hands.

Movement

At the heart of this timepiece beats the Oris 754, an automatic caliber with a power reserve of 38 hours.

It is based on the SW200-1 from Sellita but modified internally to add the pointer date complication.

It is simply decorated with a matte finish, polished screw heads and the red rotor, the brand’s signature since 2002.

After several tests, the accuracy is between -5 and +10 seconds per day.

Bracelet

The strap measures 19mm at the lugs and tapers down to 15mm at the buckle.

As said before, the strap of this model is directly issued from the collaboration with Cervo Volante. Indeed, it is made from red deer leather from the hunt to regulate the deer population in Switzerland.
Its design is authentic and also respectful of the environment.

The bracelet is a very nice product however, the impression of quality when worn and when handled is spoiled by a lack of thickness giving an impression of fragility. Moreover, the wear after a few months on the wrist is much more visible than on a classic leather bracelet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Oris x Cervo Volante collaboration gives birth to three superb variations taking up all the codes of the big crown. The colors proposed by the dials are very well done and renew the range. Despite the disappointment concerning the strap, its 100% natural design is very appreciable and will, I hope, be improved for future editions. Finally, the universal dimensions of the timepiece make it accessible to all wrist sizes, a real success!