Oris Big Crown ProPilot 55th Reno Air Races Limited Edition

As a watch manufacturer, Oris has been associated with the world of aviation pretty much since the inception of the brand. The company made its first pilot’s pocket watch in the early 1910s, followed by its first pilot’s wristwatch in 1917 and hasn’t looked back since. It seems fitting then that Oris has been named as the Official Timepiece Sponsor of the 55^th edition of the world-famous Reno Air Races. A new partnership, of course, calls for a new watch, and so the brand is introducing the Oris Big Crown ProPilot 55th Reno Air Races Limited Edition. Read on for all the details.

This new limited edition model is based on the popular Oris Big Crown ProPilot Day Date, a model we got hands-on with here. The style is very much that of a functional tool watch. The 45mm multi-piece case in brushed steel comes complete with a coin-edged bezel inspired by a jet-engine turbine and is designed to be easy to read at a glance.  The screw-in crown is likewise oversized – hence the name – to make it easy for pilots to grip while wearing gloves.

The dial is black and extremely simple, with strongly contrasting printed Arabic numerals in white. The hands, along with the numerals, are coated in Super-LumiNova® to ensure high visibility in all conditions. I particularly like the fact that Oris has resisted the urge to make any overt reference to the Reno Air Races or the fact that this watch is a limited edition on the dial. The only subtle indicator is the red and white tip on the central seconds hand, which matches nicely with the red lining on the grey textile strap. At 3 o’clock the day and date are displayed prominently through two large apertures.

On the reverse side of the watch the screwed, solid caseback features special engravings denoting the official logo of the 55^th Reno Air Races as well as the individual model number. In total 550 pieces will be made. Underneath is a simple yet reliable Swiss automatic movement, the Oris Cal. 752, which uses a Sellita SW 220-1 as its base. This is the same movement found in the non-limited Oris Big Crown ProPilot Day Date and is a solid workhorse. Running at 4Hz, it offers instantaneous date and day and stop-second for accurate time setting. Maximum power reserve is 38 hours.

Available on your choice of grey textile strap or a metal bracelet, the Oris 55th Reno Air Races Limited Edition retails for CHF 1,850 (strap) and CHF 2,050 (bracelet) respectively. More details on www.oris.ch.