Oris has made some subtle changes to watches in their signature Big Crown ProPilot Series. The independent Swiss brand hasn?t been shy in the last year about tweaking one of their most traditional timepieces. The ProPilot X, of course, is a radical departure on the theme of the pilot?s watch that has been Oris?s bread and butter for years. The changes we?ll be discussing here are nowhere near as dramatic, but lend the watches a slightly higher-end and more contemporary feel. It?s the kind of gradual, iterative change you expect from a brand like Oris, which places a great deal of importance on their own heritage and traditional watchmaking in general.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date 

Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial: Black
Dimensions: 41mm Crystal: Sapphire   
Water Resistance: 10 bar 
Crown: Screw down          
Movement: Oris 751, base SW 220-1
Strap/bracelet: Textile
Price: $1,700
Reference Number: 01 751 7761 4164-07 3 20 03LC
Expected Release: Available now 

Both the Big Crown ProPilot Big Day Date and Big Crown ProPilot Big Date have been updated as part of this refresh. The change you?ll see is in the numerals, which are now made from molded lume, rather than simply painted directly to the dial. The Big Date version is seen here, and there are a few obvious benefits. First, the molded lume, to my eye, is simply more aesthetically pleasing, and Oris has executed the molded numerals really well. There is real definition to the digits w...