Introducing: The Updated Oris Big Crown Pointer Date In New Sizes And Colors
The Big Crown Pointer Date is a true staple in Oris’s history. It has been in the brand’s collection continuously since 1938. In 2021, Oris introduced a new and refined version of its beloved Big Crown Pointer Date. This 38mm watch featured the impressive Oris Calibre 403, a smooth bezel, and a cleaner dial layout. At Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, Oris introduces no fewer than seven new references of the updated Big Crown Pointer Date. You can choose between 40mm or 34mm versions and whether you’d like one with or without the Oris Calibre 403.
I happen to own a pre-2021 Oris Big Crown Pointer Date. That’s the style with the cathedral hands and coin-edge bezel. You can still buy many versions in that style new. However, Oris is now clearly focusing on the updated versions. With its smooth bezel and double-tapered pencil hands, it’s a little cleaner and more modern-looking. The big numerals keep it light and make it a very easy-to-read watch. Let’s take a quick look at what’s new.
The 40mm Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Calibre 403
First up is the new Big Crown Pointer Date in a 40mm stainless steel case powered by the proprietary Oris Calibre 403. These watches have a 12.3mm thickness, including the double-domed sapphire crystal, and a 47.5mm lug-to-lug span. The smooth bezel has a polished finish, just like the sides of the case, and the lugs feature a vertically brushed texture.
This combination of finishes matches the brushed and polished links on the newly developed H-link bracelet well. It closes with a signed push-button-operated butterfly clasp.
The 24-jewel Calibre 403 inside runs at a frequency of 28,800vph and has an impressive power reserve of 120 hours. It’s also resistant to magnetic fields and only needs a service every 10 years. In addition, the watch comes with a 10-year warranty for the movement. The new 40mm Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Calibre 403 is available with a green or a terracotta dial. It costs CHF 3,600 on a leather strap and CHF 3,800 on the new bracelet.
The 40mm Big Crown Pointer Date and 34mm Big Crown powered by Sellita movements
Oris hasn’t forgotten its original fans who love Oris watches for their good value for money. That’s why, next to the top-of-the-line Calibre 403 models, there are also new versions of the Big Crown with more affordable Sellita movements inside. These watches also come in the new 40mm size, but there are smaller 34mm variants as well. While the 40mm Sellita-powered model is slightly thinner at 12mm, the other dimensions are the same as the Calibre 403 version. The 34mm case has an 11.1mm thickness and a 41mm lug-to-lug length.
The dials on these watches differ slightly from the Calibre 403 models as there is no sub-seconds register. That’s why there are 12 hour markers instead of 11. The 40mm versions do feature the pointer date and are therefore also called the Big Crown Pointer Date. The 34mm versions are simply called the Big Crown as they lack the pointer date. To make up for that, Oris offers a version with a black dial and 12 lab-grown, baguette-cut diamonds instead of the brown dial’s stick markers.
The different Sellita movements inside the 40mm and 34mm versions run at a frequency of 28,800vph and hold a power reserve of roughly 40 hours. You can take a look at the custom red Oris rotor through the exhibition case backs. The 40mm Big Crown Pointer Date in yellow, lilac, or blue costs CHF 2,000 on the bracelet. The 34mm Big Crown in brown with stick markers costs CHF 1,900 on the same bracelet or CHF 2,800 for the version with the black dial and lab-grown diamonds.
My thoughts
I like my slightly more bohemian Oris Big Crown Pointer Date with its cathedral hands and coin-edge bezel. However, I do think the cleaner, updated Pointer Dates also look great and a bit more modern. The addition of the H-link bracelet makes the Big Crown a more versatile and sportier watch to look at. The fact that Oris offers the watches with either its Calibre 403 or a Sellita movement is a great thing in my opinion.
There’s nothing wrong with having a reliable Sellita movement inside, especially since it can serviced by almost anyone. The nice bonus is that the Big Crown Pointer Date costs CHF 2,000 in that configuration on the bracelet, which is very acceptable. If you want the impressive features of the Calibre 400 series, which I can understand very well, then you can choose to pay a bit more.
Let me know what you think of these new Oris Big Crown (Pointer Date) references in the comments below.
