ReviewTen Days Of Power: The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111

Have you ever wondered which watches Swiss people wear? There are many fancy brands selling fancier products to a certain kind of clientele, who are attracted by all that’s flashy. However, when it comes to a more discreet and sophisticated clientele, with discerning taste, such as many Swiss people as well, there are certain brands that don’t try too hard with fanciful marketing backed by little substance. Oris is a brand that fits into that category beautifully.

We caught up with the co-CEO of the Oris, Rolf Studer, and half an hour into our conversation, we were convinced that Oris stands for a certain Swiss sensibility, quite unmatched by its peers. He explained with passion – often seen in CEOs of independent companies – that Oris has always been into mechanical watches, even during the quartz crisis of the 1980s. Another thing that sets the brand apart is its focus on functionality. They would do a 10-day power reserve, which makes absolute functional sense, rather than make a beautiful tourbillon and charge millions for it.

The Big Crown ProPilot With A 10-Day Power Reserve

A pilot’s watch is certainly not meant only for pilots. The features of a pilot’s watch like the Big Crown ProPilot are perfect for anyone. Introducing the Calibre 111 into this highly functional timepiece is a result of Oris’ continuous endeavour towards developing in-house movements.

We have often seen in watchmaking success stories how important it is to have an industrial line of movements. The launch of Calibre 111 is a significant moment in Oris history. The hand-wound, high-frequency (3Hz, 21,600vph), single-barrel movement is a step forward from Oris’ industrial in-house movement programme, which started with Calibre 110 in 2014.

Addressing a real issue for real watch lovers – that of the power reserve on manual-winding timepieces – the Calibre 111 movement comes with a 10-day power reserve. The patented non-linear power reserve indicator on the dial at three o’clock is inspired by an airplane fuel gauge. This indicator is unique because it represents the speed at which the hand moves during the winding of the watch. Thus, you can see the spacing between the days varies on the power reserve indicator.

Details On The Dial And The Variations

Set in a large, 44mm case made of satin-finished stainless steel, this Big Crown ProPilot features a coin-edged bezel inspired by jet engine turbines. Despite being an aviation timepiece, the water resistance offered by the case is of 100m. Going by the design codes of an aviation watch, including the requirement of easy readability, the Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111 has been equipped with an anti-reflective coating on the inside of the sapphire crystal glass to help to reduce the glare. Additionally, the hour markers, as well as the hour and minute hands have been adequately filled with highly legible SuperLuminova.

With a sub-metallic lustre, the dial is available in two colour options – anthracite and blue. With applied numerals, the date can be read through the window at nine o’clock. Through the mineral glass caseback, you can appreciate the in-house movement that runs this watch.

This timepiece is available in three strap options – a textile strap, a stainless steel bracelet or a highly desirable genuine Louisiana crocodile leather strap. The watch comes in a luxurious wooden box.

Compared with most pilot watches offered by illustrious competitors such as IWC, Breitling or Zenith, the price at which you’ll get the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111 is definitely a great bargain for a Swiss-made piece.

The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111 with a 10-day power reserve is available in India exclusively at Ethos Watch Boutiques.