Geneva Watch Days 2025: Oris x Bamford Collaboration Leads Twin Launch Line-Up
4 min read
Independent watchmaking thrives on contrasts and few brands embody that duality as confidently as Oris. This season, the Swiss maison unveils two very different yet equally compelling watches: the ProPilot Altimeter “Mission Control,” a bold collaboration with Bamford Watch Department, and the Big Crown Calibre 113, a colorful revival of an in-house powerhouse.
One ventures into orbit with futuristic materials and a unique complication, while the other dives deep into heritage with a full business calendar and a ten-day power reserve. Together, they tell the story of a brand that refuses to stand still.
ProPilot Altimeter “Mission Control”: Taking Flight Beyond Earth
The ProPilot Altimeter has always been an outlier, being the only automatic Swiss mechanical watch with a built-in mechanical altimeter. Now, in partnership with Bamford Watch Department, Oris takes it further into uncharted territory.
At 47mm, the “Mission Control” is bold, but its size is justified. It houses both a traditional automatic movement (Oris 793, 56-hour power reserve) and an altimeter that can track altitudes up to 19,700 feet. It needs the space to remain clear and dependable. Despite its size, the watch feels light on the wrist thanks to a case made from a carbon-fiber composite developed with ETH Zurich spin-off 9T Labs. This material is two-thirds lighter than titanium yet stronger than steel. It offers extreme durability with a unique texture that ensures no two cases are alike. The manufacturing process is innovative and sustainable with minimal waste compared to conventional carbon fiber production.
Using the altimeter is intuitive and clever. A dedicated crown at 4 o’clock activates and calibrates the system, showing altitude with a carbon-fiber hand against an outer scale. Oris’s patented venting crown prevents moisture from entering, keeping the watch water-resistant to 100 meters even during field use. George Bamford’s contribution highlights the visual design: against a black dial, lime, yellow, and red accents add a pop inspired by 80s sneakers, improving both legibility and personality. It’s playful but practical—this is a cockpit instrument disguised as a design statement.
Key Specs
Case: 47mm carbon-fiber composite, grey PVD titanium bezel and caseback
Movement: Oris 793 automatic, 56-hour power reserve
Functions: Time, date, mechanical altimeter (0–19,700 feet)
Water Resistance: 100 m
Edition: 250 pieces, limited
The result is a watch that’s part tool, part experiment, and part conversation starter—or as Bamford describes it, “pure watch geekery.”
Big Crown Calibre 113: A Calendar for the World Citizen
Where the ProPilot Altimeter ventures into space, the Big Crown Calibre 113 grounds itself in tradition—though no less ambitiously. First introduced in 1938, the Big Crown remains one of Oris’s signature designs, and this latest edition features one of the brand’s most technically refined movements.
At its core is Calibre 113, a hand-wound movement descended from Oris’s Calibre 100 series. Its standout feature is a 10-day power reserve, achieved with a single oversized mainspring barrel—an elegant display of mechanical efficiency. The watch also incorporates Oris’s patented non-linear power reserve indicator, which expands more visibly as the mainspring unwinds, giving the wearer clear insight on when to rewind. What truly sets Calibre 113 apart is its full business calendar. In addition to the day, date, and month, the dial features a 52-week scale indicated by a central hand, providing a year-at-a-glance. All adjustments are made using a single crown.
Oris balances the technical seriousness with a dial that radiates joy: mint green as the base, with rose-pink counters, accented in white and gold for balance and readability. The 43mm stainless steel case, sapphire display back, and integrated bracelet give the watch a modern presence while honoring its aviation heritage.
Key Specs
Case: 43mm stainless steel, sapphire crystals front and back
Movement: Oris Calibre 113, hand-wound, 10-day power reserve (240 hours)
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, day, date, month, week of year, non-linear power reserve indicator
Water Resistance: 50 m
It’s a rare blend of practicality and playfulness—a professional’s complication dressed in uplifting colors.
Two Watches, One Philosophy
By pairing the innovative ProPilot Altimeter “Mission Control” with the heritage-rich Big Crown Calibre 113, Oris reinforces its belief that mechanical watches should make sense and bring joy. One is an experimental piece of engineering; the other is a celebration of tradition presented in fresh colors. Both speak the same language: that of an independent watchmaker willing to innovate, break conventions, and remind collectors why mechanical watchmaking is endlessly fascinating.
Price:
ProPilot Altimeter “Mission Control”: CHF 6,700 | INR 7,33,717 (approx)
Big Crown Calibre 113: CHF 6,350 | INR 6,95,388 (approx)
