Oris Big Crown ProPilot Alarm

We’re all familiar with the pilot’s watch ‘greatest hits.’

There’s the iconic Breitling Navitimer, the ever-popular IWC Big Pilot, the sophisticated Type 20. But Oris, the family-owned Swiss manufacture from Holstein, produces a contemporary pilot’s watch in the form of the Big Crown Propilot that more than holds its own with these stalwart classics. In fact, with its straightforward design, highly legible dial, and bulletproof construction, it may be one of the best pilot’s watches currently on the market.

This particular Big Crown Propilot is an Alarm Limited Edition, which debuted in circa 2018. Housed in a 44mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal, dual crowns, and a machined 'turbine' bezel, it features a luminous satin black dial with ‘Arabic’ indices and a matching handset, a central ‘pointer date’ display, and a yellow-tipped alarm-setting hand.

This piece is powered by the Oris Calibre 910 automatic winding movement with 31 jewels and 45-hour power reserve, and comes paired to a signed brown crocodile leather strap with a signed, stainless steel 'seatbelt' clasp.

This piece falls into the typical value proposition from Hölstein-based Oris: sophisticated, attractive, robust, and unique. And how about a modern, robust alarm watch with a screw-down crown from one of our favorite independent brands? 

Win win.

Like so many other Swiss watchmaking dynasties, Oris was nearly put out of business by the Quartz Crisis — the proliferation of cheap, mass-produced, battery-powered watches from Asia. But, much to the delight of mechanical watch devotees the world over, the company endured.

Founded in Hölstein in 1904, Oris quickly grew to become a horological powerhouse, employing some 300 people by 1911 across multiple facilities. By 1936, upon the opening of its own dial factory in Biel/Bienne, Oris was producing nearly all its own components in-house. In 1938 the firm debuted its signature Big Crown pilot’s watch, which forms the basis of the brand’s modern catalog. With its dealer network compromised by the Second World War, Oris survived by manufacturing alarm clocks.

The turning point came when the Quartz Crisis hit Switzerland in the late 1960s, by which time Oris employed some 800 people and manufactured 1.2 million watches per year, making it one of the largest watch manufacturers in the world. By 1970, in a bid for survival, the company joined the precursor to the Swatch Group and began manufacturing quartz watches. However in 1982, the company’s managing director and head of marketing took over the firm, rendering them independent once more. They abandoned quartz altogether by the 1990s.

In 2014, Oris introduced its first in-house mechanical movement in decades in celebration of 110 years of watchmaking. In 2020, they introduced the Calibre 400, a movement with a 5-day power reserve and a 10-year recommended service interval. Today the company makes professional diving, aviation, motoring and other adventure watches for enthusiasts at relatively affordable price points, while their support of conservation initiatives the world over continues to delight their highly dedicated fans.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.