The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter (launched in 2014). It houses the Calibre 733 automatic movement with its base being the SW200. The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter is the most complicated pilot’s watch the brand has ever made. Recommended retail price: CHF3,300 with textile strap, CHF3,500 / SGD5,000 with metal bracelet. SGD4,700 with textile strap. Photo: © Oris

What more can Oris offer after the 2013 Oris Aquis Depth Gauge which measures the submerged depth?

[Note: TimeWerke Magazine Vol. IX, pages 276 to 278 has a detailed write-up on the Oris Aquis Depth Gauge].

The answer is already here and that is the 2014 Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter. As its name implies, this mechanical watch is able to measure the current altitude and air pressure.

Before this can be done, one must first unscrew the screw-down crown at 4 o’clock which operates the altimeter. When the red ring around the crown can be seen, the altimeter will begin its work.

The yellow indicator will indicate the altitude using the scales on the outer dial ring as the reference. Altitudes of up to 15,000 feet can be measured (or 4,500 metres).

 

 

The air pressure scale is recessed between the altimeter scale and the central dial. The corresponding air pressure at the current altitude is given by the red indicator.

Having read the altitude and air pressure, the crown can then be screwed back in and this seals the watch and allows it to be water-resistant to 100 metres.

Two versions of the ProPilot Altimeter are available: one with the reference scale in feet, the other in metres.

With the mechanical altimeter fitted into a mechanical wristwatch, the ProPilot Altitude has become the most complicated pilot’s watch made by Oris.