Oris Introduces Updated Big Crown Pointer Date Watch with Calibre 403 Movement
Colorful earth tones are introduced by Oris on the 85-year-old Big Crown Pointer Date timepiece.
Oris, the Swiss watchmaker known for its precision and tradition, has unveiled an updated version of its iconic Big Crown Pointer Date watch at the Watches & Wonders show in Geneva. The latest edition features the Oris Calibre 403 movement, marking a significant upgrade in terms of performance and reliability.
The Big Crown Pointer Date watch, renowned for its small seconds subdial and a third "Pointer Date" hand, has received a technological boost with the introduction of Calibre 403. This new caliber offers an automatic movement with a 5-day power reserve and a 10-year warranty, highlighting increased durability and precision. The Big Crown Pointer Date with Calibre 403 is considered the flagship edition of the series.
The watch maintains the classic Big Crown design elements like the pointer date complication and clear dial layout. The case size typically ranges around 38-40 mm, a classic size for the collection. The watch is housed in a standard 40mm stainless steel case and comes in terracotta red and earthy green dial colors.
Oris has matched the tips of each pointer date hand with the dial color in the new Big Crown Pointer Date watches. The watch is water-resistant to around 50 meters and features various dial designs including Arabic numerals and luminous hands for readability. Straps are available in leather or metal bracelets.
A notable related model is the "Big Crown Pointer Date Wings of Hope Limited Edition" with the Oris Caliber 401. This edition offers an even longer power reserve of approximately 120 hours (about 5 days) and also an automatic self-winding mechanism. The edition features a white dial with silver hands, brown leather strap, and 50 meters water resistance.
For those seeking a more affordable option, Oris offers cheaper Big Crown Pointer Date models featuring an outsourced Sellita-based Caliber 754 automatic movement. These models have a central second hand instead of a small seconds subdial. The trio of colorful dial options for the cheaper models are available in turquoise, yellow, and lilac. These models are not limited in edition size and are about half the price of the Caliber 403 models, starting at $2,300.
Oris had an update to the Big Crown Pointer Date watch in 2021, which included the new in-house movement and a polished fluted bezel. Before the quartz crisis in the 1970s, Oris had over 270 in-house movements. However, between the 1970s and 2014, Oris operated exclusively with outsourced calibers. Oris relaunched its Movement Creation Program in 2014 and has come out with about one in-house movement per year since.
The latest generation of the Big Crown Pointer Date watch resembles a vintage-inspired modern watch. This marks a technological and performance upgrade over earlier editions, enhancing the watch's appeal to collectors and watch enthusiasts looking for reliability and tradition combined.
The Big Crown Pointer Date watch, now equipped with the Oris Calibre 403 movement, is a testament to the Swiss watchmaker's commitment to merging style and technology. The watch's lifestyle appeal is further boosted by its increased durability, precision, and 5-day power reserve, making it a standout product in Oris's lineup. For those seeking a more affordable alternative, Oris offers Big Crown Pointer Date models with an outsourced Caliber 754 movement, featuring vibrant dial colors and a central second hand.
