NEWS: The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111
Felix ScholzThe story in a second
Oris have just announced the Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111, a perfect expression of their ruggedly practical style, and mechanical prowess.
Oris are on fire this year. Coming off a surprise Basel hit with the Divers 65 they’ve just announced the Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111. This watch is going to be huge, with some, like John Keil of WatchGauge calling it their “best watch ever!”
The Big Crown ProPilot is one of of Oris’ most popular lines and their take on the perennially popular pilot style. As far as style goes this watch doesn’t break any new ground. The really exciting news here is the movement going on behind the dial. For the last few years Oris have been improving their in-house capacity, starting in 2014 with the Calibre 110, and following up this year with the Calibre 111 (which adds a date to the equation). This is a massive step forward for the Holstein based brand. Because even though Oris’ production is 100% mechanical, they haven’t released an in-house movement for 36 years. To break that drought with a manual wind movement with a 10-day power reserve is quite extraordinary. Talk about a ‘hello, we’re back’ to the industry! <insert several hand waving emojis>
If you wanted to get your hands on this top-of-the-line Oris technology in another watch you’re looking at a dressy 43mm number. The ProPilot Calibre 111 changes all that. It’s a much more casual, with a large 44mm case that perfectly suits the aviation aesthetic. Oris have opted for a more modern interpretation of the style too – with anthracite dial (with small seconds, date and power reserve indicator) and milled bezel.
For many people Oris is synonymous with tool style watches, like diver’s and pilot’s watches. To see this new signature movement in one of their flagship designs (and at the characteristically reasonable price of 5,200 CHF) makes this watch a sure-fire win.