Oris celebrates The Year of the Snake with a new watch

Oris, the Hölstein, Switzerland, based watchmaker celebrated its 120th anniversary this year. As they look forward to Chinese New Year and “fresh beginnings,”  they have introduced the ProPilot X Year of the Snake Limited Edition. It is based on Oris’s “innovative ProPilot X Calibre 115 and inspired by the spirit and colourways of the Chinese zodiac animal.”  It is a limited to 88 numbered pieces.

2025 is the Year of the Snake. Chinese New Year is on 29 January 2025.

“In the Chinese zodiac, the snake symbolises wisdom, wealth, agility, and intelligence. The zodiac also has five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. This year (2025) is wood, which is associated with growth and new beginnings, and represented by the Chinese colour cyan. In keeping, the sinewy, snake-like structure of this special watch’s skeletonised dial is finished in cyan, giving it an elegant energy that complements the muted tones of the watch’s brushed titanium case and bracelet.”

Key Features

Functions

Image: Swiss watchmaking and titanium meets the Chinese Zodiac.

Central hours and minutes.

Small seconds between 7 and 8 o’clock.

10-day non-linear power reserve indicator (patented) at 3 o’clock.

Stop-seconds function.

Dial

Image: The golden snake’s tongue shaped power reserve indicator is subtle, yet so respectfully done. The patterns on the outer flange and bezel is thoughtful detailing.

Skeletonised dial finished in cyan. Calibre 115 is visible, including the mainspring at 12 o’clock.

Hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova®. Based on the images, the small seconds hand is coated with Super-LumiNova®.

Based on the images, few of the markers and indications are coated with Super-LumiNova®, such as on the power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock.

Golden colour power reserve indicator hand is shaped like a snake’s tongue.

Hour and minute scale encircles the outer dial, graduated in increments of 5 minutes each.

Movement

Image: Oris Calibre 115. (Image credit: Oris website.)

Powered by Oris Calibre 115, an in-house hand-wound movement. It drives the hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indicator, and stop-seconds function.

Diameter: 34 mm or 15 lignes.

Jewels: 38. Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz.

Power reserve: 240 hours or 10 days.

Case and Bracelet

Image: Cyan colour skeletonised dial contrasts well with the futuristic titanium case and bracelet.

Multi-piece case is made from titanium.

Diameter: 44 mm.

Dial side features a sapphire crystal, domed on both sides, with double-sided anti-reflective coating.

Titanium caseback is screwed to the main case. It features a sapphire crystal. “Limited Edition,” individual edition number “XX/88,” and other typical text is engraved on the caseback.

Image: I love this caseback view.

Screw-in crown at 3 o’clock is made from titanium.

Water resistant up to 10 bar or 100 metres.

Multi-piece bracelet is made from titanium and features a folding ‘Lift’ clasp.

Our Thoughts

The Oris ProPilot X Year of the Snake Limited Edition combines a hand-wound movement with a 10-day power reserve, a modern titanium case and bracelet, with a skeletonised dial that celebrates the Year of the Snake and 2025 being year of wood (as per Chinese Zodiac). It highlights this by the snake’s tongue shaped power reserve indicator hand and choice of colour – cyan. Oris has done a phenomenal job fusing modern watchmaking with an ancient tradition.

Image: A watch that combines modern watchmaking with an ancient tradition. Masterfully and respectfully done.

The Oris ProPilot X Year of the Snake Limited Edition is a truly special watch, one that I hope is an indication of other such watches to come from the brand as they celebrate “fresh beginnings” as they move into their 121st year and beyond.

Additional Details

Name: Oris ProPilot X Year of the Snake Limited Edition

Reference: 01 115 7759 7117-Set

Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 8,200 / United States Dollar (USD): 9,100 / Canadian Dollar (CAD): 12,800.

Limited to 88 numbered pieces. Comes in a special box.

Warranty: 2 years, extendable to 10 years for free if owner joins MyOris.

Available from 18 December 2024. Please visit the Oris website and Instagram page for more information and availability.

Our earlier coverage of Oris includes their sustainability initiatives and Doha Watch Club edition.

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