Oris Big Crown 1917 Limited Edition Review

Oris circles back to over a century ago and pays homage to their first pilot’s watch with a special limited edition. Let us begin!

Oris Big Crown 1917 Limited Edition Review

By now, most watchmakers have been following a growing trend of designing larger watches for men and women. Another trend that has been seen even more recently is the vintage look. The hot news at Baselworld was that Oris took this to the next level by celebrating their very first pilot’s wristwatch with a new limited edition called the Big Crown 1917. It was named in honor of the year that they created their very first pilot’s wristwatch. It is a modern-day, vintage-inspired salute to the past while keeping things up-to-the-minute.

The watch has reference number 01 732 7736 4081-Set LS and is limited to 1917 pieces worldwide. This number is engraved on the solid polished steel case back along with which the number of the individual piece. The OWC logo is inscribed in the center on the back and though this emblem is usually reserved for only their gold models, Oris felt it would be appropriate for this limited edition to have it.

The side of the round pebble-shaped case has a polished finish and so does the fixed bezel ring. On the right side is an oversized “onion” style crown. Just on top of the winding crown is a pusher with an engraved number sign (or hashtag sign for millennials). This push-button operator that adjusts the time was something they also brought back, and this is an element that Oris felt should be present on this watch too to keep things authentic and true to the original as much as possible.

A domed sapphire crystal covers and protects the fine-grain textured silver dial. The Arabic style numerals use a shade of Super-Luminova® called “Light Old Radium” that has the tone of the older and long-lasting but no longer used radium that was previously used for watch luminescence many moons ago in watchmaking. The numerals have a hard drop-shadow printed in black giving the numerals a more 3-dimensional look. A railroad-style seconds track is printed in black along the dial flange and there is a step-down level in the center of the dial where you will find the blued steel cathedral-style hands that are also filled with luminescent material.

Inside the 40mm polished stainless-steel case is the heart that powers the Big Crown 1917, the Oris Caliber 732. It is an ébauche movement that has a calibre SW-200-1 Sellita base. This automatic movement has a beat of 28,800 vibrations per hour, contains 26 watch jewels, and has an approximately 38-hour power reserve when fully wound. The watch connects to the brown leather strap with slender curved lugs that have a polished finish to match. The case offers 50m/165ft of water resistance, which is not a whole lot to work with. So best not let it get wet in any situation that is more than some light, poolside swimming. For more about what type of water resistance you can expect from your watch, click here.

The watch comes with a light brown soft calfskin strap with dark brown sides and has a matching leather cuff behind it like the original. The reverse side of the strap has a dark calfskin leather lining and is stitched together with brown thread to match the front side of the strap. The watch also comes with a second leather strap that has a steel rivet on one end. In case you want to wear it without the cuff.

With the size and shape of the case, it wears somewhat small, but wearing it with the cuff adds to the wrist presence and makes it appear to be a bit bigger on the wrist than it really is. The Oris Big Crown 1917 comes with a commemorative box set and a leather watch holder and pouch that has a place for the second strap as well. For discounted pricing on this watch or for an excellent price on a used model in unworn condition with original documents and manufacturer’s warranty card, please use the buttons below.

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