Oris big crown propilot altimeter

WOTY 2014: Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter

Highly Commended. Innovative Watches of the Year 2014.

Oris simply refuses to take the path of least resistance at the moment.

With last year’s Depth Gauge, Oris developed a hugely innovative solution that let sea water enter a channel in the watch’s sapphire crystal to determine its depth in seawater

This year Oris has turned its attention to the skies above and fitted a mechanical altimeter into its Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter, another world first in this highly competitive category.

The altimeter is sealed within the watch case behind a second, screw-down crown at the 4 o’clock position to allow for water resistance.

To activate the altimeter the crown must first be unscrewed to an open position to allow the watch’s interior to equalise with the atmosphere outside.

Oris could have integrated an electronic solution, even added a digital readout, but then again that just wouldn’t be Oris.

James Buttery

Editor of WatchPro, the WatchPro Hot 100 and The Luxury Report.

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