Back in 2019 when bronze watches were at their peak coolness, Oris launched their iconic Big Crown Pointer Date in the material of the moment. While bronze watches tend to be a bit over the top, the simplicity of the Pointer Date’s pilot’s watch design suited the material incredibly well, making it a staple of the collection for the three years it’s been around. For 2022, Oris have revisited the design and created full bronze versions.
The bodies of the new watches are more or less identical to that original 2019 version. Bronze cases with 40mm diameters, fluted bezels and smooth lugs. They also house the same Oris calibre 754 with pointer date function and 38-hour power reserve. However, they now come on multi-link bronze bracelets, meaning you can double down on the full bronze experience and get a nice patina across the entire timepiece.
In addition to the bronze bracelet, there’s also a selection of new dial colours to choose from. The original version’s caramel brown dial has made its way to the full bronze edition, along with a forest green, rich blue and deep red/Bordeaux. The green is reminiscent of the recent Cervo Volante edition although it’s actually taken from the 80th anniversary bronze edition. On the whole the colours remind me of deeper, non-pastel shades of the Cotton Candy divers that delighted us last year and which were also full bronze.
Oris’ colour game is really on point because all four look great and even the dark red version has enough contrast to make the bright red of the pointer date hand pop. If I had to pick, it would be a toss-up between the green and the blue, they have a richness to them that compliments the bronze of the case and bracelet the best. On the other hand, the brown feels a little lost amid all the bronze and I’d actually say it looks better on the dark leather strap that it came on in 2019, which is still available.
In fact, if the full bronze look isn’t for you, the new colourways are all available on leather straps instead of the bronze bracelet. On the bracelet they cost £1,900 while on strap they’re £1,550, which is not an insubstantial difference.
Price & Specs:
Model: Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Bronze
Reference: 01 754 7741 3167 07 8 20 01 (Green)
01 754 7741 3166 07 8 20 01 (Brown)
01 754 7741 3168 07 8 20 01 (Bordeaux)
01 754 7741 3165 07 8 20 01 (Blue)
Case/dial: 40mm diameter, bronze case, green, brown, bordeaux or blue dial
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: Oris 754 calibre, automatic, 26 jewels
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 38h
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, central hand date
Strap: Bronze bracelet or brown leather strap
Price/availability: £1,900 (bracelet), £1,550 (strap)
More details at Oris.
