ReviewThe Sky’s The Limit For The New Oris Big Crown ProPilot Worldtimer

Known for delivering innovative and functional timepieces that promise practicality and bang-for-buck over a feat of mind-boggling horological complications, Oris doesn’t believe in raising your hopes sky high with their watches. One look at the watch and true blue watch aficionados will be left wondering where the side pushers are hidden in the case to adjust the local time function in the dual time zone mechanism. An interesting story unfolds.

The Über-Functional Bezel

Giving a rather innovative update on the 20th anniversary of their original Worldtimer watch that was unveiled in 1997, the contemporary version features a unique time-setting mechanism. To unravel the mystery, the 2017 timepieces replace the pushers with a novel bezel-operated complication that allows you to adjust the local time on the mechanical wristwatch backwards and forwards in hour increments. This can be done without needing to stop the mechanism or independently adjust the minutes or date. Yes, we mean it – just a simple rotation of the bezel.

The functional coin-edged bezel inspired by jet engine turbines adjusts the local hour hand. No more pulling the crown out or testing your precision skills to adjust time to the minutes. Simply turn it clockwise or anticlockwise. A practical, user-friendly, yet ground-breaking approach indeed!

An Impressive First Look

A modern-day wonder in the world of watchmaking, the Propilot Worldtimer delivers just what it promises – easy readability with its clean aesthetics, in a 44.7mm dial for pilots.

Set in a multi-piece stainless steel case, the timepiece is water resistant to 100m, with a screw-in security crown. Simple yet sturdy, in keeping with the style of the ProPilot, the ingenious coin-edge rotating bezel that comes with a polished top ring for local time adjustment adds an interesting touch to the timepiece, while also offering sufficient grip. The sapphire crystal domed on both sides with an antireflective coating inside makes the task even easier.

A Substantial Movement

The watch is powered by the Oris Caliber 690, which is a modified version of the ETA 2836-2 – a significant movement for a watch. It features an Oris-patented backwards date adjustment mechanism that means the date would keep track of the time adjustment, even if that meant going backwards. What’s interesting is that the timepiece can show simultaneous indication of two individual time-zones, with an adjustable hour hand for local time.

Home time is displayed in the sub-dial at three, along with patented backward date adjustment, and an inset day/night indicator. The small seconds is positioned at nine o’clock. The automatic-winding, bi-directional rotating red rotor is equipped to offer a power reserve of 38 hours.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Worldtimer – Steel and Leather

What’s in a face, you ask?

The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Worldtimer with an anthracite dial featuring a sunray pattern and polished bezel top ring is all that you need to make a lasting impression on your classy business travels. The polished nickel hour and minute hands filled with SuperLuminova ensure perfect visibility in the dark too. The white small seconds and second time zone hands offset on the anthracite dial are just the right size and perfectly legible.

This version comes with a dark brown Louisiana crocodile leather strap for a dressy occasion. As a bonus, it features an Oris-patented buckle for stageless length adjustment, which is inspired by the airplane safety-belt principle. Classy and clean, this one’s for the gentleman with refined taste.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Worldtimer – All-Steel

Keeping customer preferences in mind, Oris also has a version that keeps things understated and casual with a stainless steel metal bracelet equipped with stainless steel folding clasp. With a functional and a straightforward appeal, this is a pure pilot’s watch.