Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date Father Time automatic white dial leather strap 40 mm

Change for the Better

The Swiss watch brand takes its "Change for the Better" program very seriously! Indeed, Oris and the MCC are presenting the Father Time Limited Edition, a watch that bears witness to the community projects organized as part of Change for the Better.

"At London's Lord's Cricket Ground, a clock overlooks the pitch. At the top is a weather vane that indicates one of the many factors influencing the decisions made by players during a cricket match. But it's much more than a weathervane. It's known as Father Time, and it's one of the emblems of world cricket. Cricket fans the world over associate it with Lord's.

As a proud partner of the MCC and Lord's first Official Timekeeper, Oris is delighted to have created the Father Time Limited Edition, a bronze watch that underlines both its official role with the club and the shared vision of Oris and the MCC for Change for the Better.

The MCC is the world's most active cricket club, the owner of Lord's and the guardian of the laws of the game. Like Oris, the club firmly believes in working for the benefit of its communities, both locally and abroad. Together, they run a program including educational, social and sporting events for the local community. Last year, they also co-organized an "Oris Change for the Better Day", joining forces to collect plastic waste on the streets of London.

Together, Oris and the MCC also share a commitment to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which encourage local, social and environmental action for global change. The Father Time Limited Edition celebrates the club, the game and the goals they share."

The story

With its 40 mm and bronze case, the Father Time Limited Edition tells a story that began almost a century ago and continues today:

The story of the Father Time weathervane begins in 1926, when Sir Herbert Baker, the architect of Lord's second stand, donated it to the owners of the ground, Marylebone Cricket Club, as an apology for the late completion of the construction project.

Father Time, a cast-iron figure nearly a meter and a half tall who can be seen leaning over cricket posts, is a mythical figure believed to watch over the passage of time.

It is thought to represent Law 12.3 of the Laws of Cricket, held by the MCC, which states that "After the umpire's signal, the bails must be removed from both wickets". This marks the end of the day's play.

The model: a Pointer Date Bronze in 40 mm

This new model takes up the design of the famous Big Crown. It's an iconic model from Manufacture Oris! This watch for pilots first appeared in 1938. Its oversized crown (hence the name "Big Crown") was easy to grip, even when wearing thick gloves, to enable winding with gloves on. It was also appreciated for its great legibility, enabled by its large cathedral-type hands and good-sized Arabic numerals.

This watch features a 40 mm case, with a fluted bezel and solid bronze crown. Bronze adds a touch of preciousness and warmth to the watch once on the wrist... Over time, this almost living material will evolve before the eyes of its owner, while acquiring a unique patina. What could be more beautiful than an object with character? Beware of water, though: bronze doesn't like it much. Water resistance is limited to 50 meters. As for the case finish, there are some very nice horizontal brushed edges on the lugs, which "break up" the polished look of the rest of the case.

This reference is characterized by its great simplicity. First, there's a beautiful, legible white dial with luminescent Arabic numerals and cathedral hands, dear to the brand and reminiscent of old watches from the sixties. The dial benefits from an attractive opening within the case. The whole is protected by a domed sapphire crystal that reinforces the vintage look of the piece.

The finishing touch? This watch comes with a bronze bracelet and a sustainably sourced light brown deer leather strap produced by the Manufacture's Swiss partner, Cervo Volante. This strap is manufactured without chemical treatment or allergenic products, with non-toxic vegetable tanning carried out in one of Switzerland's last two tanneries. The result is an earthy, warm and resistant leather that perfectly suits the vintage spirit of this Big Crown!

Finally, the caseback is made of stainless steel (to prevent allergies) and engraved with the Father Time weathervane and the limited edition number. The watch is limited to 1,926 pieces to mark the year Father Time was gifted to Lord's.

The Oris Calibre 754

This Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date is powered by Oris Caliber 754, which the brand developed from a Sellita SW201 base to implement the central pointer date complication. The time is precise and the automatic winding is driven by Oris' characteristic red rotor, A 38-hour power reserve is available when the watch is not worn on the wrist.

In brief:

• A watch with a timeless design and a diameter of 40 mm
• An automatic caliber with a unique Pointer Date complication
• A living bronze alloy, just waiting to develop its patina over time!
• A limited, numbered edition of 1926
• A box with two bracelets and a bracelet changing tool