Oris gives its signature model a subtle makeover with the Big Crown Father Time Limited Edition, a collaboration with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). This release commemorates the pair’s three-year collaboration that began in 2022 and combines a 40 mm bronze case with a creamy white dial.

Initial thoughts

The Big Crown Father Time is best described as a cricket-themed variation of the bronze Big Crown Pointer Date. The cricket element, however, is subtle and practically absent from the dial, which is not a bad thing since it gives the watch the widest possible appeal.

Setting aside the cricket theme, the contrast between the dial elements and the dial itself is appealing. The watch stands out in terms of legibility due to this contrast. The cathedral hands and extra-large crown add a nice touch that evoke vintage Oris models. And though I’m typically a fan of fluted bezels, this one works well.

This is equipped with a Sellita SW 200-1 instead of an in-house movement. However, with a retail price of US$3,100, it is still acceptable value.

“Father Time”

Sitting on top of the clock tower, Father Time is the weathervane at Lord’s Cricket Ground and was gifted to MCC in 1926 by architect Sir Herbert Baker. Because Lord’s is the “Home of Cricket”, and the MCC once the sport’s governing body, Father Time is one of the globally recognised symbols of the sport.

The Big Crown Pointer Date, on the other hand, is synonymous with Oris. Introduced in 1938 as a pilot’s watch, it has an oversized crown for setting the time without removing flight gloves, along with a legible red pointer to indicate the date.

The Father Time edition is in classic Big Crown style with large Arabic numerals and cathedral-style hands. On its periphery lies the date track read against a red tipped pointer.

It has a bronze case measuring 40 mm in diameter and 12 mm high with a coin-edge bezel and oversized crown. The type of bronze used acquires a brown patina over time instead of the green patina found on more conventional bronze alloys.

As with most bronze watches, the case back is not bronze, but steel as bronze can cause allergic reactions after prolonged contact with skin. It’s engraved with the Father Time wind vane along with the limited edition number.

Behind the engraved back lies the Oris cal. 754, which is a Sellita SW 200-1 modified to incorporate a pointer date. The movement is robust and easily serviceable but has a short 38 hours of power reserve.

Notably, the watch is delivered with a bronze bracelet along with a deer skin leather strap.

Key facts and price

Oris Big Crown Father Time Limited Edition
Ref. 01 754 7741 3161

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 12 mm
Material: Bronze
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

Movement: Oris 754 (Sellita SW200-1)
Features: Hours, minutes, seconds, and pointer date
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Bronze bracelet; deerskin leather strap

Limited edition: 1,926 pieces
Availability: At Oris boutiques, retailers, and Oris.ch
Price: US$3,100

For more information, visit Oris.ch.