Oris 57th Reno Air Races Limited Edition

Oris is proving to be one of the most prolific watch brands in terms of novelties during this complicated year. Despite the cancellation of the Reno Air Races, Oris ploughs on with the release of its 57th Reno Air Races Limited Edition, a grey PVD-coated Big Crown ProPilot model, now with GMT functionality and pointer date. Let’s have a closer look.

Aviation links

Oris has been associated with the world of aviation practically since the inception of the brand. The company’s first pilot’s pocket watch appeared in the early 1910s followed by a pilot’s wristwatch in 1917 and the Big Crown pilot’s watch of 1938 with its hallmark large crown designed for pilots wearing gloves. The Big Crown family is still going strong and edited in vintage- flavoured models, like this handsome bronze version. The Big Crown ProPilot collection is an offshoot of the historic model and proposes pilot watches in a more contemporary vein. As one of Oris’s key collections, it was only natural that the Big Crown was chosen to represent the brand’s partnership with the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada.

In 2018, Oris became the Official Timepiece Sponsor for the 55^th annual Reno Air Races and produced a limited edition Big Crown ProPilot Day Date for the occasion. Last year, the partnership resulted in another Big Crown ProPilot with GMT, small seconds and date. For the 2020 Reno Air Races – albeit cancelled and deferred to 2021 – Oris proposes another Big Crown ProPilot with GMT and circular date window functions. Limited to 1,000 pieces, it is very similar in looks and layout to a Propilot Alarm edition released in 2018 – minus the alarm and the second crown.

Case and Dial

The multi-piece stainless steel case has a grey brushed PVD coating and measures 41mm, smaller than all the above-mentioned pieces, but fitted with the hallmark oversized crown and knurled bezel of the Big Crown ProPilot family. To ensure its 100m water-resistance rating, the crown and caseback are screwed down.

The matte black dial features white and blue touches, very in line with the all-important legibility factor of a pilot’s watch. The GMT function is relayed on the perimeter of the dial on a 24-hour scale picked out in white against the black background. The shape of the blue hand for the GMT function is designed to look like a jet, the only reference on the dial to the Reno Air Races. The hallmark pointer date is featured in the centre of the dial and the small blue triangular date indicator is set in a cut-out area below the level of the dial. The large Arabic hour numerals and the hands are highlighted with Super-LumiNova BGW9 that emits a blue-green glow in the dark. Other touches of blue can be found on the tip of the central seconds hand and on the GMT inscription inside the pointer date.

Automatic Movement

Equipped with an automatic movement based on a Sellita SW330-1, the Oris calibre 798 runs at a frequency of 28,800vph and provides a power reserve of 42 hours. The sealed caseback is engraved with special engravings commemorating the 57th edition of the Reno Air Races and the limited edition number xxxx/1000.

Price and availability

The Oris 57th Reno Air Races Limited Edition is presented with a black textile strap with a blue leather lining and is attached to the wrist with a grey PVD-coated steel folding clasp. The watch is limited to 1,000 pieces and comes in a special presentation box. Available now, the retail price is CHF 2,650.

More information at oris.ch