We’re all familiar with the pilot’s watch ‘greatest hits.’

There’s the iconic Breitling Navitimer, the ever-popular IWC Big Pilot, the sophisticated Type 20. But Oris, the family-owned Swiss manufacture from Holstein, produces a contemporary pilot’s watch in the form of the Big Crown Propilot that more than holds its own with these stalwart classics. In fact, with its straightforward design, highly legible dial, and bulletproof construction, it may be one of the best pilot’s watches currently on the market.

This particular Big Crown Propilot is an Alarm Limited Edition, which debuted in circa 2018. Housed in a 44mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal, dual crowns, and a machined 'turbine' bezel, it features a luminous satin black dial with ‘Arabic’ indices and a matching handset, a central ‘pointer date’ display, and a yellow-tipped alarm-setting hand.

This piece is powered by the Oris Calibre 910 automatic winding movement with 31 jewels and 45-hour power reserve, and comes paired to a signed brown crocodile leather strap with a signed, stainless steel 'seatbelt' clasp.

This piece falls into the typical value proposition from Hölstein-based Oris: sophisticated, attractive, robust, and unique. And how about a modern, robust alarm watch with a screw-down crown from one of our favorite independent brands? 

Win win.