Full Breakdown
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date × Cervo Volante: Burgundy-Dial Edition Highlights Sustainable Leather and Classic Pilot Design
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Oris has launched a new special-edition 40 mm Big Crown Pointer Date pilot watch paired with a dark-brown deer-leather strap from Swiss leather-goods maker Cervo Volante. The model features an autumn-inspired burgundy-gradient dial, the brand’s signature fluted bezel, and an automatic Oris 754 movement. It is sold for CHF 2,250 in Switzerland, US $2,600 in the United States, and € 2,250/£ 1,900 in Europe.
Background & Context
The Big Crown line was introduced in 1938 as a tool watch for military and civilian pilots. As part of Oris’s “Change for the Better” sustainability campaign, the brand began collaborating with Cervo Volante in 2022, initially releasing three 38 mm models. A 40 mm version followed in 2023, and the current burgundy-dial edition continues that partnership, drawing colour inspiration from the autumn foliage of the Waldenburg Valley near Oris’s factory in Hölstein.
Data & Statistics
- Case: 40 mm stainless steel, 48.2 mm lug-to-lug, 12.2 mm thick, water-resistant to 50 m.
- Dial: burgundy gradient with Super-LumiNova-treated hour markers, white Arabic numerals, cathedral-style hands, and a red-tipped pointer-date hand that circles the peripheral date track.
- Movement: Oris 754 automatic calibre, based on the Sellita SW200-1 (a clone of the ETA 2824), 26-jewel, 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 41-hour power reserve, red rotor, stop-seconds device.
- Strap: dark-brown deer-skin produced in one of Switzerland’s last vegetable tanneries; quick-change spring bars and a stainless-steel pin buckle.
- Sustainability figures: Cervo Volante reports that Switzerland culls about 15,000 wild red deer each year and upcycles the hides into leather products, avoiding waste.
Official Statements & Responses
Oris describes the collaboration as an extension of its “Change for the Better” initiative, emphasizing the use of sustainably sourced deer hide. Cervo Volante notes that the leather is treated in a remaining vegetable tannery and that imperfections are intentionally left visible, underscoring the brand’s commitment to upcycling wildlife-management by-products. Both companies highlight the quick-change strap system and the inclusion of a matching leather travel pouch as functional additions for owners.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Pricing is reported in three currencies: CHF 2,250 (Swiss market), US $2,600 (U.S. market), and € 2,250/£ 1,900 (European market). No source clarifies whether the watch is limited-edition or open-ended production, leaving the total quantity unavailable. Additionally, while the movement is identified as Sellita-based, no independent performance testing figures are provided.
Why It Matters
The edition showcases how a heritage pilot watch can integrate contemporary sustainability practices without altering its classic aesthetic. By pairing a historically significant design with responsibly sourced leather, Oris and Cervo Volante illustrate a model for luxury watchmakers seeking environmentally conscious collaborations while maintaining price points that remain accessible relative to higher-priced competitors such as Rolex.
On-the-Ground Perspective
Reviewers note that the burgundy dial offers strong contrast for legibility and that the pointer-date hand adds visual interest beyond conventional date windows. The strap’s quick-release mechanism and the travel pouch are praised for practicality in daily wear and travel.
What’s Next
Oris has made the watch available for immediate purchase; no future release dates or follow-up models have been announced.