Oris Big Crown Propilot X Calibre 115

Oris is a darling amongst watch enthusiasts today.

With favorites such as the Diver 65, Aquis and Big Crown Pilot line headlining their collection, a slew of winning special limited-edition models released annually and a decidedly community-facing way of doing business rounding them out, Oris is appreciated — if not beloved — by beginner and tenured collectors alike.

But don’t think for a second that the brand hailing from Holstein is just a one trick pony. They’ve made their mark on the industry by experimenting with innovative case materials and manufacturing processes, displaying whimsical dial expressions, and  expanding their armada of in-house movements.

This piece, a Big Crown Pro Pilot X, is an early time stamp of all the cool and intriguing things Oris has been doing in recent years. The main feature here is their in-house hand wound movement — the Calibre 115. Packed with a 10 day power reserve and a galvanized architecture originally conceptualized as a skeletonized movement, the Oris Calibre 115 is indeed the focal point of the Big Crown Pro Pilot X - or PPX, as it has come to be known to the community. So much so that an entirely new, multi-part 44mm titanium case was produced to house the movement with dead-on tolerances.

Its titanium case, bezel, signed screw-down crown and strap hardware are all designed to be as streamlined and aggressive as a fighter jet. The sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback puts the Calibre 115 on full display and features a non-linear power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, a subsidiary seconds register at 8 o’clock and a luminous handset and hour markers on the dial periphery. 

Accompanied by a signed perforated leather strap and a signed titanium flip-lock deployant clasp with a seatbelt-like design that rounds out its properly aviation inspired design, this piece also comes with its full set including factory boxes, books, and warranty card.

If you're looking for something clean and conservative, this isn't it. Try an Oris Diver 65! But if you’re looking for something big, bold, daring and … zesty … you’ve found it with the PPX!

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.

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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.