Wristwatch Journal
Anyone who has spent time in the Swiss Alps will probably have seen a Rega aircraft fly by at some point. The striking red-and-white helicopters and aeroplanes are destined exclusively for rescue and repatriation missions throughout Switzerland. The partnership with Oris dates back to 2016, with the Oris Altimeter Rega L.E. and later the GMT Rega L.E. The new Oris Big Crown ProPilot Rega Fleet Limited Edition honours all 21 aircraft currently deployed by the specialized organization.
In operation since 1956, Rega relies on 18 helicopters and three aeroplanes for its missions. The private, non-profit organization is dedicated to rescuing people in distress throughout the country and carries out repatriation missions worldwide. With 13 bases throughout the country, each base covers an area within 15-minutes reach. Oris has now decided to honour the entire Rega fleet by introducing 21 different limited edition watches.
The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Rega Fleet L.E. uses the utilitarian Big Crown ProPilot as a base model. The 41mm wide case is finished with a gunmetal grey PVD coating throughout, giving it a sleek, stealthy appeal. It comes with a bidirectional rotating bezel featuring a pulsometer scale and a triangle in red to mark the “golden hour”, the critical first hour in any rescue mission.
The matte black dial is a perfect background to the large, white hour and minute hands coated with Super-LumiNova. The seconds hand is black, with a white Super-LumiNova tip. The fourth hand is a second time zone indicator, in black with a red triangular tip. The remaining markings are an hour/minute ring on the outside edge of the dial and an angled flange with a 24-hour scale. The red Rega logo just above the 6 o’clock digit is a subtle allusion to the partnership.
Inside is the Oris 798 calibre, based on the Sellita SW 330-1. This automatic movement is also used in the Oris Carysfort Reef L.E. and various other models. It runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4Hz) and has 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound. In addition to central time and second time zone indications, it also has a date indication.
The movement is hidden from view by a decorated caseback. Oris introduces 21 different versions of the Big Crown ProPilot Rega Fleet. Each version is dedicated to a single aircraft in operation by Rega, indicated by an image of the craft and its registration number. Each version comes in a run of 100 pieces. It comes on a black leather strap with gunmetal grey folding buckle, with Oris’ patented “LIFT” system, and an additional red rubber strap. The price is set at CHF 3,100.
For more information, please visit Oris.ch.
Technical specifications – ORIS BIG CROWN PROPILOT REGA FLEET LIMITED EDITION
Case: 41mm wide stainless steel case with gunmetal PVD coating – gunmetal-coated bidirectional rotating bezel – “golden hour” triangle with pulsometer scale – double-domed sapphire crystal with AR-coating – closed caseback with special decoration – screw-down crown – 100m water-resistance
Dial: matte black dial – large hour and minute hands in white with Super-LumiNova – black seconds hand with a white tip with Super-LumiNova – black dual time hand with red triangular tip – raised hour digits in white with Super-LumiNova – outer minute/hour ring – 24-hour scale on outer flange – REGA logo in red
Movement: Oris 798, base Sellita SW330-1 – automatic winding – 2.,60mm movement diameter – 28,800vph (4Hz frequency) – 25 jewels – 42h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, dual time indication, date
Strap: black leather strap with gunmetal PVD-coated steel folding clasp – additional red rubber strap and strap changing tools
Availability: limited edition of 21 models, each limited to 100 pieces – available from September 2021
Reference: 798 7773 4284-Set
https://monochrome-watches.com/oris-big-crown-propilot-rega-fleet-limited-edition-introducing-price/
