Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date Bronze Review
I’ll admit it straight away: I’ve been grinning like a kid at Christmas since the postman dropped off a very special package. Inside was the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date in bronze Reference 01 751 7761 3164-07 3 2003BRLC – and, dear reader, it’s already become one of those watches I keep sneaking glances at, just to admire the thing on my wrist.
Credit - Oris
Credit - Oris
The Bronze Age (No, Not That One)
Bronze is a bit of a darling in the watch world at the moment, and for good reason. It’s got that warm, golden tone fresh out of the box – not as bling as gold, not as clinical as steel. And here’s the kicker: it changes. As you wear it, the case slowly develops a patina, a sort of lived-in character unique to you. It’s like the watch is recording your adventures, only instead of scribbling in a diary it’s oxidising with flair.
Already, the brushed finish on the Oris is catching the light in ways that steel just can’t. It looks purposeful, almost like a piece of vintage aviation kit – which, of course, is exactly the idea. At 41mm this beauty sits like a dream on my 7 inch wrist. In fact, it’s actually confirmed my favourite size. Shame all my other watches are either bigger or smaller!
Big Crown, Big Personality
True to its name, the crown is oversized, harking back to Oris’s 1930s pilot watches where gloves and fiddly little knobs didn’t mix. It feels solid, tactile, and properly engineered – like it would still work if I found myself in the cockpit of a Spitfire.
Then there’s the date. Big. Bold. Legible. No squinting, no “is that the 8th or the 6th?”, just a lovely, clear display that does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a proper pilot’s watch – clarity first, no nonsense.
That Strap, Though
The textile strap with its aviation-style “seatbelt” clasp is a joy. It’s functional, yes, but it also adds to the whole cockpit-tool aesthetic. Click, snap, done. You almost feel like you should hear an air-traffic controller say “cleared for takeoff” every time you put it on. With a tan leather inner it sits really comfortably on the wrist.
Value for Money? Absolutely.
Here’s the bit that really got me. The quality of finish – the case brushing, the dial detail, the lume, the bronze machining – all screams high-end. And yet, it’s priced in a way that doesn’t require you to remortgage your house or sell a kidney (£2000). Swiss watchmaking, proper design, a bit of flair, and all at a price that makes you feel like you’ve pulled a fast one. Even better, I got mine with 25% off making it only £1500. Bargain!!!
Heres some stats…
Case Size: 41mm
Movement: Calibre 751 Automatic
Lug Width: 20mm
Power Reserve: 38 Hours
Water Restistance: 100m
Credit - Oris
Credit - Oris
Final Thoughts
The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date in bronze isn’t just another watch. It’s a statement piece that manages to be bold without being shouty. It feels like something you’ll enjoy watching age alongside you, becoming uniquely yours.
So yes, I’m impressed. Impressed enough that I’ll be typing this blog with one hand, while the other arm keeps the bronze beauty squarely in sight.
