Oris is rolling out one impressive new release after another: ProPilot X, Aquis, and Big Crown showcase the three faces of the Swiss brand

It is precisely this trio that deserves attention. Each watch has a different character, a different purpose, and, in fact, a different way of capturing the eye. One boasts a ten-day power reserve and a skeletonized movement; another, durability and a striking appearance; and the third, elegance that does away with unnecessary frills. And yet they share something essential: they are all quintessentially Oris.

ProPilot X Gonzo Edition: When Mechanics Meets The Muppets

Let’s start with the watch that stands out the most among the three. The Oris ProPilot X Gonzo Edition isn’t just another color variation of the ProPilot X designed to catch the eye with a new dial shade. This time, it’s a collaboration with Disney’s The Muppets—specifically with the character The Great Gonzo. And Oris decided that if they were going to do a collaboration like this, they’d do it right. 🌶️

Gonzo is known for his eccentricity, his flair for the dramatic, and above all, for not being afraid of any crazy stunts. And Oris has managed to capture exactly this character in its watches. The skeletonized dial features a blue-red-yellow gradient that looks striking but not tacky. Added to this is a laser-etched ring around the dial that changes color depending on how the light hits it. The result is a very lively and playful look that suits The Great Gonzo surprisingly well.

But the most beautiful detail is found on the inside. Oris has used its hand-wound Caliber 115, which offers an enormous power reserve of 240 hours—that is, ten days. And as you wind the watch, Gonzo’s smiling face gradually appears on the mainspring. So it’s not just an image on the dial. It’s a motif that changes depending on how much energy remains in the movement. In this way, Oris uses the mechanics themselves as part of the design. And that’s the idea that makes a collaboration like this meaningful.

Another nod to Gonzo is the red chili pepper-shaped power reserve indicator at the 3 o’clock position. It references one of his favorite shirts and also serves as a subtle pop of color that fits well into the overall design. For a watch that’s meant to be playful, a detail like this is far more interesting than some obvious logo on the dial. The Caliber 115 operates at a frequency of 21,600 half-vibrations per hour, or 3 Hz, and in addition to the central hour and minute hands, it also features a small seconds sub-dial at the 7:30 position.

The case remains true to the original ProPilot X. It is made of titanium, features a multi-piece construction, and has a diameter of 44 mm. The front is fitted with a double-curved sapphire crystal, featuring a double-sided anti-reflective coating. The case back is screw-down, made of titanium, and features a sapphire crystal window with special engravings. It is water-resistant to 10 ATM (100 m), and the lug spacing is 22 mm.

The Gonzo Edition isn’t a watch collaboration that tries to be serious at all costs. On the contrary. Oris took the character’s distinctive personality and translated it into a watch in a way that still makes it mechanically intriguing. And when Gonzo’s face appears as you wind the watch, that’s the exact moment when good design becomes something with its own magic.

Aquis Date Social Club Edition II: A Diving Watch for the Community

While the ProPilot X Gonzo Edition is primarily about personality and mechanical spectacle, the Aquis Date Social Club Edition II is about community. This time, Oris isn’t simply introducing another color variation of the Aquis just to expand its catalog. The watch is designed for members of the Oris Social Club—a group of people united by their interest in mechanical watches.

Oris reports that there are currently 62 Oris Social Clubs around the world, and this edition was produced in a limited series of 500 unnumbered pieces. That’s an interesting detail, because the watches are limited not only by their quantity but also by the story behind them.

The base model is the Aquis Date Relief 43.5 mm, a striking diver’s watch that looks like a tool at first glance. The case is made of stainless steel and features a minute scale on the bezel. Oris has used a double-domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inside and a screw-down steel caseback with special engravings. It is water-resistant to 30 ATM (300 m), and the lug width is 23 mm.

The dial has a matte silver frosted finish that looks a bit like lightly frosted metal. This is complemented by an embossed minute track on the bezel and a green NATO strap. And then there’s a detail that makes this watch more than just another Aquis: the Oris Bear appears in the date window on the first day of every month. It’s a small touch, but it’s exactly what suits Oris. It’s not overly flashy, but it sets the watch apart.

Inside is an automatic Calibre 733-1 movement, which features central hour, minute, and second hands, a date display with instant advance, a date corrector, and hacking. The power reserve is 41 hours, and the frequency is 28,800 A/h, or 4 Hz.

The Aquis Date Social Club Edition II is, in a way, the watch equivalent of the ProPilot X. With that model, Oris showcases just how capable its mechanical movement is. Here, it demonstrates just how well it can work with design and detail. It’s still a true-to-form Aquis, but thanks to the dial and strap, it takes on a much more relaxed character. And most importantly: it doesn’t come across as a watch that’s trying to be something it isn’t.

Oris Aquis Date Oris Social Club Edition II 01 733 7789 4121-Set

55 990 €

The Swiss Oris Aquis Date Oris Social Club Edition II 01 733 7789 4121-Set watch stands out with its distinctive, highly attractive “diver’s” design and excellent craftsmanship. This model is ideal not only for underwater use but also for everyday wear. It was created in honor of the Oris Social Club chapters,

Go to e-shop 4 Weeks — 29. 10. at your place

Big Crown Pointer Date: Oris Reimagines the Legend

The Big Crown Pointer Date is perhaps the least eye-catching of the three, but also the most traditional. And that’s why it’s worth noting. This time, Oris isn’t introducing a new size that would mark another step toward larger, more striking watches. Instead, the brand has taken one of its most iconic designs and scaled it down to 29 mm.

The Big Crown Pointer Date is a model that holds a truly special place in Oris’s history. The first version was introduced as early as 1938, and since then it has become one of the brand’s most distinctive hallmarks. The characteristic large crown, fluted bezel, and central date hand remain intact in this new, more refined version.

This new model is designed primarily for smaller wrists and more delicate features. The 29-mm case is made of stainless steel and features a double-curved sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inner side. The case back is screw-down, and the manufacturer specifies that it features a mineral glass window. The watch is water-resistant to 5 ATM, and the lug spacing is 14 mm.

Inside, it is powered by the automatic Caliber 534, which features central hour, minute, and second hands; a date displayed by a central hand; instant date change; a date corrector; and hacking. The power reserve is 42 hours, and the frequency is 28,800 A/h, or 4 Hz.

What’s interesting about the Big Crown Pointer Date is how many different variations a single basic design can take. Oris offers four versions, which differ primarily in dial color and the type of strap or bracelet. The base model, 01 534 7804 4052-07 5 14 02 features a pink dial and a leather strap, while the 01 534 7804 4052-07 8 14 02 pairs the same pink dial with a steel bracelet. The black dial is found on references 01 534 7804 4054-07 5 14 01 and 01 534 7804 4054-07 8 14 02. The first comes with a leather strap, while the second features a steel bracelet. The main difference, therefore, lies in how the watch looks on the wrist and the character that the specific combination of dial and strap lends to it.

This isn’t a watch that tries to be sporty, luxurious, or extravagant. It’s simply elegant. And thanks to its smaller size, it looks much more natural on the wrist, where a standard 40mm model would be unnecessarily conspicuous. Oris thus demonstrates that even a very traditional design can be contemporary without losing its identity.

Three watches, three different reasons to want them

The most interesting thing about these three new releases is that each takes a slightly different direction. The ProPilot X Gonzo Edition is a technical showcase of watchmaking, featuring its own skeletonized movement, a ten-day power reserve, and an unusual design. The Aquis Date Social Club Edition II, on the other hand, is a great example of how Oris can collaborate with the community to create a watch with its own story. And the Big Crown Pointer Date demonstrates that the brand can take an iconic design and refine it without turning it into something completely different.

That may be why Oris has been so confident lately. It doesn’t try to do everything the same way. One time it comes out with a watch designed to be a mechanical experience; another time, a diver’s edition for the community; and yet another time, an elegant model that’s actually a return to what the brand has been doing for decades. And when all three watches manage to feel like Oris, that’s actually quite a strong statement.

Photo source: Oris