Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Review (Read BEFORE You Buy!)

In an age where the watch industry focuses on popular timepieces, classic vintage-inspired gems like the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date get swept under the rug. 

An avid watch enthusiast may be familiar with Oris flagships like the Aquis collection or its vintage-inspired Divers Sixty-Five models. Maybe you’re a core aviation watch collector; then you may know the modern ProPilot X models. 

However, the Big Crown collection is a gem for many reasons, such as its signature design, stylish appeal, and insane value for the money. This comprehensive review reveals all you need to know about the aviator timepiece from the Swiss manufacturer.  

About The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date

The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date is modeled after the original first release that debuted in 1938. That’s an even longer history than many iconic Rolex watch models, like the Datejust and Submariner. So what is it about the Oris Pilot watch that’s kept it in production for over eighty years? Well, the truth is hidden in its design. 

Its “big crown” blueprint made an immediate and endearing impact, winning the hearts of watch aficionados. The most obvious part is its oversized winding crown. It was functional for pilots of the time (and now) to easily adjust the time while steering a plane at practice or battlefront.  

The next appealing feature of the BCPD that has remained the same is the pointer date. Instead of cluttering the dial with a date window, the days of the month are around the outer bezel. And an outstretched hand with a red tip points to the accurate date. Simple yet classic!  

So, it’s no surprise that watch collectors and aviator timepiece enthusiasts still rave about the BCPD today. And you should jump on the bandwagon if you’re a fan of vintages. 

Watches in the collection boast an array of stunning features that make them stand out in a subdued way. While it doesn’t have the bling and glitz of loud statement pieces, the myriad of dial, case, and bracelet colors and the coin-edged bezel are mesmerizing. 

With the Big Crown Pointer Date makeup, instead of three center hands – minutes, seconds, and hour hands, you’ll find four.

History of Oris Watches

The tale of Oris watches begins in a bygone era, where pocket watches were in vogue and wristwatches were a novel idea. It was in the quaint Swiss town of Holstein that the Oris brand in 1904 took its first breath after founders Georges Christian and Paul Cattin purchased a watch factory, Lohner & Co. 

They proceeded to name the brand Oris after a nearby brook (small stream). True to its name, the brand’s well of creativity and ingenuity is ever-flowing despite being jagged against economic downturns and regulatory restrictions.

Oris released its first wristwatch collection in 1925 by fitting bracelet buckles into pocket watches. During this period, the Swiss manufacturer expanded its factories, enticed world-class watchmakers with mind-blowing incentives, and developed its pin-lever escapement movement (Roskopf escapement). 

However, the Swiss government stopped this development when it introduced the Swiss Watch Statute, which prevented watchmakers from introducing new technologies without official permission.

While this put a lever in the Oris’ production wheel for over 30 years, it did not stop the brand’s innovation. It would go on to receive an award in 1945 from the Bureau Officiel de Contrôle de la Marche des Montres in Le Locle for the accuracy of the pin-lever escapement movement. 

Consequently, they developed more complicated and iconic movements, including the Oris Calibre 652, the 1991 Calibre 581, and Calibre 761, which powered the iconic Oris ProDiver Pointer Moon and the Calibre 110 – their first in-house hand-wound movement with a 10-day power reserve.

Fast forward to the present, and Oris watches keep heads turning, creatives intrigued, and wrists adorned. Oris watches aren’t just accessories; they are masterpieces with a penchant for pushing the boundaries of innovation. 

In its first 100 years, the brand put out the most dynamic pieces, from the birth of the Big Crown and alarm clocks with an 8-day power reserve to building its first automatic watch with a power reserve indicator in 1952. There was also the launch of the Chronoris, Oris’ first mechanical alarm wristwatch, the Players Watch, jazz watches inspired by Andy Sheppard and Miles Davis, a bronze watch, and a personal favorite, the Dive Control Limited Edition.

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date: In-Depth Review

Now that we have all the preliminary info out of the way, let’s get to the real reason you clicked on this article. Here’s an in-depth appraisal of the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Collection:

Case Sizes & Materials

Like tapestry to a wall, the case sizes and materials provide a backdrop for the intricate details of a watch. Recognizing it’s a vintage dress watch collection, you can expect the models to be unisex and sizable for both large and small wrists. 

The Big Crown Pointer Date collection offers a range of case sizes: a discrete 36mm, a slightly larger 38mm, and a bolder and more contemporary 40mm case. The latter could also pass as a luxury sports watch. 

Like the cases, you’re limited to three material options to style this timepiece. However, the majority are stainless steel versions. And relatively affordable. Big Crown Pointer Date models also carry an anti-reflective, sapphire top glass and a see-through sapphire case back.

Alternatively, if you want some class, you can buy a Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date watch. However, its case back is made of stainless steel. Prefer to make a statement? The BCPD Wings of Hope Gold Limited Edition in 18k yellow gold will set the tone.

Bezels

Bezels are the most understated parts of watches, except if you’re buying a military or aviation watch from TAG Heuer, Omega, or Panerai, where extra effort is put into bezel construction. The bezel is almost insignificant, as you’d expect with a dressy vintage reinvention. And the case is no different with the Big Crown Pointer Date collection. 

It has a solid, non-functional outer bezel with a signature coin edge design. But a functional inner ring bezel that acts as the date.

Dials

The dials are arguably the most admirable part of this Oris collection. Each model in the collection flaunts a different and unique classic hue. It appears the manufacturer wanted the color selection to be the highlight of this collection, and if that’s the case, Oris hit the mark.

Look at the breathtaking red (more like wine-tapered) dial on the 01 754 7741 4068-07 5 20 50 model or the radiant blue dial with brown indices on the 01 754 7749 4365-07 5 17 66 models. And the dial’s beauty stretches even to the indices and markers.

The indices retain their vintage flavor with the uniquely curved 4 o’clock marker standing out – like most wearers of this collection, you’re sure to go, “Oh, that’s a very good 4”. These markers will keep time even in the darkest hours with their luminous SuperLumiNova material. 

The minute track and date scale curve gracefully around the dial, with each date subject to a 24-hour dance guided by the signature red-tipped date hand. It’s a dance that will hold you enraptured momentarily every time you check the date. Plus, if you’re a fan of cathedrals, the cathedral-styled hands may get you all excited and whatnot.

Movements

Most watches in the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date collection supposedly run on an in-house automatic winding pointer date caliber – the Oris 754. In reality, though, it’s a Sellita SW200-1 caliber base. 

As mentioned earlier, it features center hands for hours, minutes & seconds – remember the cathedral handset we spoke of. There is also the infamous signature red-tipped date center hand, which offers instantaneous date change thanks to this genius movement.

As a plus, the Oris 754 is designed with a date corrector and a stop-second feature, regulated by the “big crown”. The movement boasts 38 hours of power reserve, 26 jewels, and the brand’s signature Red Rotor, which stands out inside the open case back.

As stated earlier, the Oris 754 powers most watches in the collection, including the Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary Edition watch, the Hank Aaron Limited Edition watch, and all Bronze and Oris x Cervo Volante watches. However, newer watches have some of Oris’ in-house caliber, like Caliber 403, Caliber 473, and Caliber 401.

Straps

The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date doesn’t disappoint in the strap department. If you’re getting a 40mm case, you’ll enjoy a variety of options – not the full strap variety spectrum, though, as there’s no rubber strap option. 

However, you can choose between classic leather or its eco-friendly deer skin alternative and robust stainless steel bracelets. The stainless steel bracelet measures 20mm in width at the lug and tapers down to 16mm at the clasp. The bracelet is not necessarily scratch-resistant, but its well-spaced links allow for unrestricted airflow.

Most Popular Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Models

You’re in luck if you’ve eagerly awaited a rundown of the premium classic pointer date watches. Take a look at some of the popular and the creme de la creme of watches in the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Collection:

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Red Dial (ref. 01 754 7741 4068-07 8 20 22)

My guess is the designer had a much too good time with a glass of Merlot and decided to enshrine it into this masterpiece. The blood-red dial on the BCPD is perfect for a statement piece.

Aside from its dial color, though, it’s almost the same as other models in the collection: the automatic winding Oris 754 movement with 26 jewels, a 28,800 vph and 38-hour power reserve, 5 bar water resistance, and a big stainless steel screw-in security crown.

Oris x Cervo Volante Big Crown Pointer Date (ref. 01 754 7779 4067-Set)

This is another masterpiece for a classic man, with less pizazz and more manly aura. It’s a special edition BCPD made in collaboration with Cervo Volante, a hand-crafted eco-friendly deerskin leather manufacturer. They jumped on the Oris’ Change for the Better campaign to form a partnership.

Rather than endanger crocodiles or alligators, they make leather products from roadkills or invasive deer. On purchase, this watch comes with a durable, eco-friendly strap, pouch, and cardholder made from deer skin. If you’re buying the Oris x Cervo Volante on resale, the strap might have been changed, and you may not get the accessories. But you’ll find it one piece at the Exquisite Timepieces store if it’s available.

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Calibre 403 (ref. 01 403 7776 4065-07 5 19 11)

On the surface, the Big Crown Pointer Date Caliber 403 is a regular gentleman’s watch with simple and relatively conventional straps and dial colors. But this model is not your regular Pointer Date watch. For one, the 38mm stainless steel watch doesn’t share the collection’s notorious Oris 754 caliber. Instead, it is powered by a high-performance movement from the Oris Caliber 400 series.

The Caliber 403’s first feature was in the Oris Holstein Edition 2021 watch, whose production was limited to 250 pieces. Now, the movement is a staple with the Pointer Date (ref. 01 403 7776 4065-07 5 19 11) model. 

Unlike the Oris 754 movement, this automatic movement offers a subsidiary second hand at the 6 o’clock position. It also boasts an extensive 120-hour power reserve, 24 jewels, and a -3/+5 seconds accuracy a day.

Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date (ref. 01 754 7741 3165-07 8 20 01)

If you desire an Oris Big Crown Pointer Date without the stainless steel material, you should consider this model – that is, if you don’t mind bronze either. The 40mm case is made of multi-piece bronze with a screw-in crown and bracelet with a folding clasp of the same material. However, the case does have an element of stainless steel, albeit limited.

I do love the blue dial, though. Like the Red Dial (ref. 01 754 7741 4068-07 8 20 22) model, the bronze case and bracelet complement the blue dial, enhancing its beauty. And if the blue dial doesn’t do it for you – which I doubt is likely – there is a green dial variant and other models with green, red, and wine dials. You can also order a leather strap instead of a bracelet.

Oris Big Crown Calibre 473 (ref. 01 473 7786 4065-07 5 19 22FC)

Last but most definitely not least on my list is a 38mm Big Crown model powered by Oris’ tenth in-house movement, the Caliber 473. It is a hand-wound movement, meaning you either have to make a mental note to wind it yourself or get a watch winder to sustain its accuracy. 

Considering its exceptional 120-hour power reserve, you only need to wind it every five days, and you’re good. And there’s a power reserve indicator at the bridge side to keep you abridged of its power levels – see what I did there.

Aside from being a hand-wound movement, the movement is very similar to the Caliber 403 as they both share the subsidiary small seconds feature at the 6 o’clock position. What I love most about this watch is the butterfly clasp attached to the strap. It makes adjustment easy, without the strain buckles sometimes put on the wrist.

Should You Buy An Oris Big Crown Pointer Date?

The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date collection is not for everybody. It is a vintage-themed piece with a subdued appearance. Maybe because of its unique hues, you may get a few compliments from wearing some of its models, but the watch is not necessarily a showstopper. 

In fact, it’ll only be a conversation starter if you’re wearing the 18k gold model or in a room filled with horology enthusiasts or Oris watch freaks. Thus, if you’re looking for a watch that announces its appearance, this collection might not suit your taste.

I believe the collection is better suited for heirloom and classic-themed watch lovers. Also, if you’re tired of the conventional date window with Cyclops lens – no shade there, Rolex – then by all means, please consider buying a watch from the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date collection.

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Pricing & Availability

Apart from a limited edition timepiece like the Hank Aaron, Waldenburgerbahn, and Wings of Hope models, the collection is very much available. The pricing may differ, however, especially if you’re buying it retail.  Nevertheless, you can usually find most Oris Big Crown Pointer Date models for around $2,000 to $3,000, which makes them an excellent entry-level luxury watch for everyday use.

But, if you start to get into the more expensive or limited edition models, you can expect to pay over $3,000 and up to $17,000 if you’re getting the Wings of Hope Gold Limited Edition. Keep in mind that the prices may fluctuate, particularly in retail, due to inflation and other factors.

Conclusion

Oris’ Big Crown Pointer Date collection offers everyday timepieces for classic watch lovers. Again, it’s not just a watch; it’s an irrebuttable testament to the symphony of craftsmanship and ingenuity employed by the manufacturer. 

The strap (leather or bracelet), case material (stainless steel, bronze, or 18k gold), and a handful of movement options add a twist to the meticulously crafted pieces, allowing you to experience Oris’s artistry in diverse ways with the unique date complication as the icing on this wholesome collection.