Introducing the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary Edition

Plenty of brands have tried to claim a piece of the ongoing bronze case trend, but few have left their mark on the movement as convincingly as Oris. From the bronze-cased Divers Sixty-Five and the limited edition Carl Brashear Chronograph, to this year’s Big Crown Pointer Date Bronze in a 36-millimeter case, the Swiss marque has a solid claim on the gold medal for bronze watches. Their latest effort in this line, however, just may be their best yet. 

As the name suggests, the new Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary Edition commemorates a lineage of Big Crown Pointer Dates dating back to 1938 by combining the best of a handful of recent models (though the Big Crown Pointer Date has seen periods of absence from Oris’ catalog over the years, by and large the model has been a cornerstone of the brand). While a casual look at this new piece may cause one to mistake it for the bronze 36-millimeter model launched earlier this year, with the trademark light Arabic numerals, cathedral hands and fluted bezel all present, there’s more than just the larger 40-millimeter diameter to tell these two apart.

While the dial was more of a pastel green on the 36-millimeter Pointer Date Bronze, the dial on display here is richer and darker, almost a forest or hunter green (this is a dial color shared with the D.26 286 HB-RAG Limited Edition). This new color offers a much more vibrant contrast against the warm tones of the bronze case, and it’s set off even more by the addition of a red tip to the date pointer. It’s certainly a less reserved, bolder combination, but one that still feels timeless and classic. 

Other than the use of bronze, the case design is the one you get on the standard 40-millimeter version, and it boasts the same handsome curving lugs, brushed surfaces, and overall balanced proportions.

Around back, however, the 80th Anniversary Edition adds a mineral glass display window to allow for a view of the house-modified Cal. 754 movement. The Cal. 754, based on a Sellita SW200-1, is an Oris mainstay, showing up in multiple Pointer Date pieces over the years. It has proven itself a solid and reliable performer.

Oris finishes the Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary Edition with a sustainably sourced leather strap in a warm medium brown, which plays nicely against the warm tones of the case while complementing the deep green of the dial.

While the Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary Edition may be a mix of pieces from previous editions, it doesn’t leave the final combination feeling any less special. This blend of elements works together seamlessly to produce a truly handsome whole. Besides, what better way is there to commemorate 80 years of models than with a mix of elements from those models? The Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary Edition will be available for purchase later this month at a retail price of $2,000. Oris