Oris collaborates with Bamford Watch Department to unveil the ProPilot Altimeter ‘Mission Control.’ It is based on Oris’s ProPilot Altimeter model – “the only watch in the world (or space) with an automatic mechanical movement and a mechanical altimeter.”
The ProPilot Altimeter ‘Mission Control’ is a Geneva Watch Days 2025 launch and a limited edition of 250 pieces.
“The ProPilot Altimeter is one of our proudest achievements and a symbol of just how much we love mechanical watchmaking. When George Bamford approached us and said he’d always wanted to collaborate around the ProPilot Altimeter and that he had a vision for it, it was an easy decision for us. We just said: ‘Go for it!’ Oris and Bamford Watch Department share the same zest for life and the same ambitions to spread joy through watches and to make people smile. We gave him the freedom to express his ideas through the watch, and the result is everything we expected and more. We love the storytelling, we love the detailing, and we love the energy in it.” – Rolf Studer, Oris Co-CEO.
Key Features
Functions and Operations
Image: Notice the altitude scale in feet on the bezel. The altimeter can measure altitude up to 19,700 feet. Notice the carbon composite case and the grey PVD-plated bezel and crowns.
Central hours, minutes, and seconds with stop seconds function. Date at 3 o’clock.
Altimeter – up to 19,700 feet.
Crown at 2 o’clock for winding, time setting, and quick set date.
Crown at 4 o’clock for activating and setting the altimeter.
Dial
Image: The crown at 2 o’clock is for time and date functions. The crown at 4 o’clock is for the altimeter.
Black dial with yellow, lime, and red details.
Hands, numbers, and hour-markers are printed with Super-LumiNova.
“If Oris’s innovation reached for the skies, Bamford Watch Department’s (BWD) spin on it takes it on a voyage beyond boundaries and into infinity. Playing with a base palette that’s as black as space, BWD added splashes of bright, high-contrast colours that give the ProPilot Altimeter ‘Mission Control’ even greater legibility, as well as its fresh personality.”
Case
Image: “Viewed from the side or above, the case has a tree ring effect, almost as if it has been cut from wood and carbonised.”
Single-piece case is made from carbon-fibre composite. Bezel, caseback, and both crowns are made from grey PVD-plated titanium.
Diameter: 47 mm. Thickness: 16.70 mm. Lug-to-lug distance: 55 mm. Water resistant up to 10 bar or approximately 100 metres.
“The material created is a composite of carbon fibre and a polymer called PEKK that’s as light as plastic and stronger than some metals. It has high mechanical, heat, and chemical resistance, and also offers low weight, high stiffness, and high strength. Part of the incentive to create this case was environmental. As a sustainable watchmaker, Oris recognised that most carbon fibres are expensive to produce and have a disproportionately high impact on the environment.”
Watch comes with a black textile strap with yellow and green leather lining, and it fitted to a titanium folding clasp (with fine adjustment system) made from grey PVD-plated titanium.
Movement
Image: The engraved feet to metre conversion chart evokes serious aviator vibes – much more appropriate for this watch than a transparent caseback.
Powered by Oris calibre 793-1, a mechanical automatic movement that drives the hours, minutes, seconds with stop seconds function, and date. It is based on the Sellita SW300-1 a.
Diameter: 11 ½’’’ lignes or 25.60 mm. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power reserve: 56 hours.
Image: Imagination and fantasy with both Oris and Bamford Watch Department.
“I’ve always loved the ProPilot Altimeter. What a crazy complication to put into a mechanical watch. Who else would do such a thing, but Oris? For me, the spark was in the altimeter. I wanted to make a watch that celebrated it, and that observed Oris’s creative spirit and fierce technical ambitions. So, we’re taking it on a space odyssey with Lieutenant Audley, Kubrick-style. Why? Because we thought it would be cool. That’s always the reason. I wanted an 80s sneaker vibe with colours that really pop. The side effect is that the watch becomes super legible, too. People will recognise this watch from space.” – George Bamford, founder of Bamford Watch Department.
Our Thoughts
Image: It promises to be a lot of fun in an aircraft – at least up to 19,700 feet!
For a brand that specialises in making watches accessible to a broader segment of watch collectors, the Oris x Bamford Watch Department ProPilot Altimeter ‘Mission Control’ proves that Oris can let its hair down occasionally. The Bamford Watch Department treatment makes it among the coolest aviation (and space) inspired watches today.
It is a big and bold watch, and might not be wrist friendly and practical for most, but it is one that I would love to own. At 250 pieces and with the added provenance of Bamford Watch Department, it promises to be a future collectable.
Please click here to read about the Hölstein Edition 2025, a fun watch that celebrates the founding of the brand. The New York Harbor Limited Edition II supports the Billion Oyster Project and highlights the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Additional Details
Name: Oris x Bamford Watch Department ProPilot Altimeter ‘Mission Control.’
Reference: 01 793 7775 8724-Set
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 6,700
Limited edition of 250 pieces.
Warranty: 2 years. Extended to 3 years for free upon joining MyOris.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in News
0
