Oris Big Crown D.26 286 HB-RAG Limited Edition

The Oris watch brand is unveiling a limited run of 1,931 pieces: the Oris Big Crown D.26 286 HB-RAG Limited Edition.

The long-named D.26 takes its cue from the historic Dewoitine D.26 training aircraft, which played an important role during the Second World War and served as the watch’s inspiration. Cockpit cues are echoed in the green dial and the watch’s leather pouch.

Let’s remember the essential purpose of pilot’s watches: maximum legibility of the dial’s information, day and night. This often translates into large hands and oversized numerals, and keeping the dial displays to the strict essentials for sound navigation.

Switzerland had around ten Dewoitine D.26 286 HB-RAG aircraft on which Swiss pilots trained. After the war, they were used as glider tugs.

Having fallen into obscurity, the Hangar 31 association brought it out of the museum to maintain it and bring it back to life by flying it regularly.

Oris today continues its strong connection with aviation. As an aside, the very large crown allowed pilots to set the watch without taking off their gloves—handy, isn’t it?

The stainless-steel case comes in a sensible 40 mm diameter. The Oris Cal. 754 automatic movement displays a pointer date on the dial. The automatic movement is in fact a Sellita SW 200-1 to which a pointer-date module has been added.

While the case is water-resistant to 50 metres, you’ll still want to avoid swimming to spare the handsome leather strap.

An illustration of the aircraft can be seen engraved on the caseback.