Oris Big Crown Wings of Hope automatic watch Caliber 401 white dial leather strap Limited Edition 40 mm

Change for the Better

The Swiss watch brand is taking its "Change for the Better" program very seriously! Oris has just announced a collaboration with the humanitarian and aeronautical organization Wings of Hope that results in the marketing of this new watch in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces powered by the Calibre 401. The sale will help finance Wings of Hope's operations. This association, nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize since its creation 60 years ago, brings medical aid by plane to populations living in remote places.

Thus, in 2021, the American association helped 65,000 people in 2021. Operations that require arms (some 350 volunteers) and enough to pay for planes and fuel. It is donations that fund Wings of Hope, soon to be reinforced by a portion of the profits from the sale of this watch.

Born from a Big Crown

This new model takes the design of the famous Big Crown. It is an iconic model from the Oris Manufacture! This watch for pilots first appeared in 1938. Its oversized crown (hence the name "Big Crown"), allows a good grip, even when wearing thick gloves, to allow winding with gloves. It was also appreciated for its great readability, allowed by its large cathedral-type hands and good-sized Arabic numerals.

This reference is characterized by its very great simplicity. First of all, there is a very nice and readable white dial with luminescent Arabic numerals, which reminds us of old watches from the sixties. The dial benefits from a beautiful opening within this steel case of 40 mm diameter. Precisely, which has very nice horizontal brushed on the lugs, which come a little "break" the whole polished. The Big Crown DNA is well present, thanks to its large crown! You can also see the 401 caliber that drives this watch through the sapphire case back!

The finishing touch? It comes on a dark brown leather strap from partner Cervo Volante. It's made from red deer leather, free of chemical treatments and allergens with non-toxic vegetable tanning done in one of the last two tanneries in Switzerland. The result is an earthy, warm and durable leather that perfectly suits the vintage spirit of this Big Crown!

The Oris Caliber 401

At the heart of this Oris Big Crown Wings of Hope limited edition of 1000 pieces worldwide is the new Oris Manufacture Caliber 401. Designed entirely in-house by Oris watchmakers, it is inspired by the revolutionary Calibre 400 launched in October 2020. More accurate than a chronometer (-3 to +5 seconds per day), this Oris movement solves many of the problems of today's mechanical movements: high level of anti-magnetism, 120-hour (five-day) power reserve, and an extended 10-year warranty. This Oris caliber 401 differs from the Oris caliber 400 by offering a small seconds at 6 o'clock.

Such is Oris' confidence in the advanced technologies built into the Caliber 401 that the brand offers a 10-year warranty on all its watches equipped with this movement. In addition, Oris recommends a 10-year service interval for watches in the Caliber 400 series, which means that barring accidental damage or gasket checks, you shouldn't need to bring your Big Crown Cal. 401 in for service until 2031 at the earliest. That's the new standard!

In brief

• A watch with a timeless design, 40 mm in diameter
• An Oris automatic manufacture caliber 401 that offers superb precision and a long power reserve
• A limited edition of 1000 copies!