The Improved Oris ProPilot Altimeter
The Oris Propilot Altimeter is another of the great novelties presented by the Swiss watch brand during Watches and Wonders.
Oris innovates again by improving its Propilot Altimeter, which for now remains the only automatic mechanical watch in the world with a mechanical altimeter.
The improved Propilot Altimeter, in addition to improving the ability to indicate altitudes now up to 6,000 meters or 19,700 feet, from the previous 4,500 meters or 15,000 feet, also features a lighter and thinner housing made of fibre.
Thus, the watch is dressed in a lightweight carbon fibre case measuring 47mm in diameter and 16mm in thickness, developed in partnership with 9T Labs, through an innovative method of 3D printing. The watch also adds a fluted bezel and screwed case back both in grey PVD-plated titanium as well as its two screw-in crowns, domed sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance.
Over the black background dial, a central time display with white printed hour markers and hands all filled with Super-LumiNova, a date window at 3 o’clock and an outer ring with an altitude scale in either feet or meters.
Inside is the Caliber 793 automatic movement that operates at 28,800 Vph and offers up to 56 hours of power reserve.
The watch is offered on a green textile strap with brown leather lining and a grey PVD-plated titanium clasp.
The watch is available in two versions, one with an altitude scale in feet and the other in meters, and can be purchased for CHF 6,200.
And now how does the new Oris Propilot Altimeter work? The crown at two o’clock has no secrets, as it is through it that we set the time and date of the watch. While the crown at 4 o’clock is used to operate the altimeter, to do so the crown must be unscrewed to position 1, which when you get there will leave a red ring bare, the altimeter is now ready to work.
We must then pull the crown out to position 2 and turn the crown to a reference altitude point that we must align with the red triangle positioned at 6 o’clock on the central dial, and now push the crown back to position 1, from there the altimeter will record the changes in altitude travelled through the yellow marker on the display.
Our Opinion
It is undoubtedly interesting to see the brand betting on the return of this tool watch, which, in addition to being unique in the world, can be very useful for mountaineers, pilots, armed forces or simply sympathizers.
It is not discreet and is noticeable on the wrist, but we are talking about a tool watch whose main function is to provide the altitude of whoever wears it and in that sense fulfils its mission.
Its stealthy and robust appearance makes it look like a tough guy, making it the ideal companion for fun outdoor adventures. In a sentence “We liked it “.
More information here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Oris
Model: ProPilot Altimeter
Dial: Black
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Case Material: 3D printed carbon fiber with titanium bezel
Case Dimensions: 46 mm Diameter, 16 mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Titanium
Water Resistance: 100 Meters
Strap: Green textile strap with a grey PVD-plated titanium clasp
Caliber: Oris 793
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, mechanical altimeter
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)
Power Reserve: 56 Hours
Price: CHF 6,200
Limited Edition: No
Availability: Now
