Latest line takes cue from cockpit and represents future of aviation watches
Perhaps best-known for its association with motor sports and especially Formula One, Oris is turning its attention this year to its aviation line.
Chief executive Ulrich Herzog said, after focusing on the watchmaker's Motor Sport and Culture lines for the past 12 months, it was time to move the aviation line forward. Enter then, the new BC4 Flight Timer, which follows in the flight path of the Big Crown, Flight Timer and BC3 aviation watches.
According to Oris, the new model represents the future of aviation watches in aesthetics, and design details are inspired by the flight instruments of an aircraft down to the last detail. The result is a timepiece that resembles a mini portable cockpit.
Following the watchmaker's design motto that 'form follows function', the dial, inspired by the instrument gauge of an aircraft, showcases several functions including a centralised hour and minute display, and second time-zone hour and minute display at 3o'clock, with a day/night display.
A trademark feature of the Flight Timer series is a large, vertical crown at 2o'clock, which in the original model operated a second time zone on the inner ring. This time, the function operates a third time zone on the inner ring and is operated by the large crown. The watch also features a small seconds display at 9o'clock, and a date display at the bottom of the dial.
The sandwich construction of the case takes its cue from the wings of an aircraft, while the case shape reflects the shape of a flight instrument. Other design details include the design of a flight instrument dial replicated in the small seconds display, and a patent-pending folding clasp on the strap, which was inspired by the design of airline safety belts.
