When talking about Oris, what’s the first model in their past or present lineup that comes to your mind? Personally, although the Diver Sixty-Five comes real close, within the Oris lineup lies a hidden gem that deserves much more attention than it’s getting. And that’s the Big Crown Pointer Date (BCPD). Whether it be a vintage or modern reference, the BCPD is one of those pieces that has a strong identity attached to itself in terms of looks. What’s being shown here is one from the BCPD line archives.
When talking looks, it would be a challenge to not notice how the date is indicated through a 4th hand with its eye-catching red crescent tip. With there being no date window, the dial achieves a strong sense of balance while keeping practicality in mind as everything is easily readable. Besides being balanced looks wise, the BCPD stands in a special position within the Oris lineup as it has the ability to look good in both casual and dressy settings. As the coin edged bezel adds to the vintage character, the big crown balances it out by looking more casual, making this a versatile piece to have in any collection. Of course, with an approximate thickness of 12mm, it isn’t the thinnest watch out there but that’s what makes it feel less of a full-on dress watch after all. The icing on the cake would be these cathedral style hands that make the BCPD distinctive. However, if these hands aren’t your cup of tea, there are other options to choose from within the modern lineup. To make the dial a little more lively, a cool font is used for the numerals, making the number “4” appear rounded.
As good as it looks though, how does it wear? This 40mm variant hugs my wrist fairly well for its size. With a 48mm lug-to-lug length, there’s just a slight overhang when worn on my 16cm wrist. Nothing obnoxious I must say. As a matter of fact, just like the lugs on the Longines Legend Diver covered here, the lugs on the BCPD adds to its character. To complement how the case wears, the see-through caseback does not bulge out! Again, the variety offered in the BCPD lineup makes life easier. If the 40mm variant is still on the larger end for you, the modern lineup offers a 38mm variant instead.
With there being options in terms of case size, material, dial colors and also limited edition releases, it’s safe to say that the BCPD appeals to both newcomers into the hobby looking to get their first luxury timepiece and seasoned collectors who want a versatile watch that has an identity of its own. If there was one word to summarize the BCPD, it’s character.
feedthewrist. 