Oris Releases New Big Crown Pointer Date Bronze Watches

The 40mm Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date watch on bronze bracelet has arrived. Those who fell head over heels for the bronze-faced version of the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date back in 2019 will no doubt, be intrigued as to what the prestigious Swiss watchmaker, recognised for its iconic red rotor, has come up with next. These four new Oris Big Crown Pointer Date watches in bronze follow in the footsteps of the 80th anniversary Big Crown watches with green dials from 2018, housed in manageable 36 and 40mm sizes. Now Oris offers dials represented in green, brown, red and blue, fitted on matching bronze bracelets.

Having become the backbone of the brand, the Big Crown watch, originally developed for pilots back in 1938 is also a timepiece that many an Oris fan turns to, to get his guilty retro fix. The dials are presented in such a way that they hark back to vintage pilot’s watches of a bygone era without losing any of the charm and functionality desired by the modern man. The models have a hunch of nostalgia and nod to Oris’ aviation heritage. After all, the Big Crown Pointer Date was a model that kept the brand afloat during the quartz crisis when many other Swiss watch brands were folding. Before we take a closer look at these four new all-bronze Oris Big Crown Pointer Date watches, let’s take a look at the revival of this important model.

The history of the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date watch

It was back in 1917 when Oris introduced the world to its first pilot’s watch, yet the Big Crown Pointer Date would not be born until 1938. It featured an oversized crown that was easy to grip under the fingertips of a glove-wearing pilot (we’re talking extremely cold conditions in the cockpit back then). Cathedral hands combined with oversized Arabic numeral hour markers also become hallmarks of this very special pilot’s watch design. In addition to this - a central hand with a double-pronged tip to indicate the date on a peripheral track became an innovative and unusual feature.

If you aren’t already familiar with Dr Rolf Portmann, it’s a name you’ll certainly remember now that you’ve read up on the history of the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date. He’s the guy that reintroduced the model in 1984. Defending the need for an exclusively manufactured mechanical watch, he soon realised many shared his view. A global audience for authentic Swiss-made watches still existed, despite the quartz flood, and so he reiterated the beauty and functionality of the Big Crown Pointer Date watch by reintroducing it into the brand’s catalogue where models like the all-bronze Big Date are now enjoying huge success.

Why bronze?

Clearly, bronze is an alloy that has proved its worth in the luxury watch industry, since over the last few years we have seen a huge surge in bronze watches. Made from a combination of copper and other elements, it was the hardest metal known to man back when the first bronze watches were conceived. Yes – historically it has been used to make weapons, tools and armour - but when used in the case of a luxury watch, it brings a sense of vintage beauty to the wrist. When bronze oxidises, it creates a very eye-catching patina. Those who have invested in a bronze Oris Big Crown Pointer Date watch will have come to realise that the character of the timepiece and its case is a constantly changing thing. Whilst this metal grows in personality, it is the moisture in human skin as it heats up and reacts with copper in this special alloy that causes a green patina to develop. To prevent this reaction from occurring on the skin, Oris has developed a special bronze that still patinates over time but will not stain the skin – genius.

The new bronze Oris Big Crown Pointer Date watches

Here are the details on the four new Oris Big Crown Pointer Date watches made from bronze. The green, brown, deep red and blue dials all feature a distinct double-pronged pointer hand tipped in red. Identical in design to the 2018 models, the layout of the dial features white Arabic numeral hour markers that pop against their respective dial colours. In addition to this, there’s a railway track around the edge of the dial indicating the date and the minutes. The hands are cathedral-shaped and treated with a layer of Super-LumiNova to assist with timekeeping in the dark. These cathedral-shaped hands have been executed to a high standard, creating a look that instantly takes the wearer back to former models from this same collection, with creamy lume-filled surfaces. The dials are all surrounded by a knurled bezel – yet another distinctive feature of the Big Crown Pointer Date.

Inside the 50-meter water-resistant bronze case of each Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date is the Oris 754 calibre, based on the Sellita SW200-1 movement. The self-winding engine is capable of beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a useful 38-hour power reserve once fully wound. The movement can be viewed through a sapphire crystal glass caseback as it performs. Additional features include a screw-down crown at 3 o’clock, a stainless steel caseback, and a bronze link bracelet that attaches into place with a security folding clasp engraved with the Oris logo.

If you’d like any additional information on the release dates and prices of the new Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date watches you can call our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453

Technical specifications of the new Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date watch

• Case: 40mm - Bronze – stainless steel caseback with sapphire crystal glass exhibition feature – 50-meter water-resistant – domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – fluted bezel
• Dial: Blue, green, deep red and brown – pointer date hand with double-pronged red tip – white Arabic numeral hour markers – cathedral-shaped hands with Super-LumiNova treatment – railroad minutes
• Movement: Oris 754 – self-winding automatic – based on the Sellita SW200-1 – 38-hour power reserve – 28,800 vibrations per hour
• Straps: Bronze bracelet – folding security clasp – engraved with Oris logo
• Price: £1,900
• Release date: Available now