Horological Meandering

jm.lloyd
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The Oris that started it...

The Oris that started it all

Thought I'd post a few pictures of my Oris Big Crown, a modern watch
with a vintage feel. I've now had my Oris for over 12 years - I know
as I've still got the box and the stamped guarantee (think thats a
combination of things - its what it came in and being a bit of a
hoarder).

I like the fact that Oris acknowledge its an ETA movement - can't be
doing with not admitting such. ETA are good solid movements and there
are more than enough reviews out there testifying to the "quality" of
the movements. This was my first mechanical watch that I bought for
myself - and I thought long and hard before getting it and tried one
on lots of time. Sometimes its the hunt that is a significant part of
the fun & the thinking about what you're options are and why they are
worth considering. Still - after what was probably an age I finally
bought it.

Even now, after 12 years it still gets wrist time and I think it holds
up well to other watches that I have bought subsequently - many of
which are significantly higher up the horological scale than Oris
might be perceived to be. It was for a very significant period, the
only watch I had and was never off my wrist, that only changed when I
was shown a ad for a JLC Reverso - but thats another story and took
three years to happen!

Back to the Oris - what do I like about it? Its look - which I think
come across as a unified whole - all the elements work harmoniously
together, this isn't always the case for all watches in my view (but
I'm sure there are others who like those and see a clarity of design
in them that I don't). In detail from the overall look, I'm always
fascinated by the intracies of the dial, how the patterns from one
part seem to provide definition yet also a harmonious whole. The
bezzel colour which compliments the dial and of course the oversized
crown - which makes setting and winding it pleasingly easy.

I have to also say how much I like the pointer date - it fits in well
with the over all look, and to me at least, seems like a more elegant
implementation of the date function on a watch.

Here are some snapshots of it - not sure they do it justice, but they
show the overall look the dial in greater detail and of course that
red pointer date hand. It does have a crystal back & I think this is
one of the things that finally drew me into buy the watch. I would say
that while its nice to look at the movement, its no horological
masterpiece. There is a plus to it being over a decade old - it
doesn't have a red rotor! I'm not sure what the value of a red rotor
to Oris is, but I'd be interested in you views.

JML