Oris unveils a technological masterpiece in the form of the ProPilot X Calibre 400 Laser, featuring an enchanting dial produced through an innovative lasering technique never previously utilized in the realm of watchmaking.
At Oris, the company possesses a robust independent ethos, unencumbered by public listing constraints. This autonomy empowers the brand to make choices aligned with its vision and the preferences of its discerning clientele. This intrinsic characteristic is deeply ingrained in the company’s psyche, steering its commitment to sustainability, movement creation, and design programs.
In recent years, this independent spirit has led Oris to embark on new collaborations, both high-profile engagements in conservation or community action and discreet partnerships. The company takes pride in its association with some of Switzerland’s most innovative engineering firms, contributing to the advancement of high-quality Swiss Made mechanical watches.
This collaborative approach has given rise to groundbreaking initiatives such as the ProPilot Altimeter’s distinctive carbon-fiber case and the revolutionary Calibre 400 Series featuring five-day automatic, anti-magnetic movements. These ideas germinate and evolve in-house, nurtured by teams of designers and engineers who oversee the entire process from conception to delivery. The resulting watches are laden with innovation, practical functions, and significant added value.
The latest creation, the ProPilot X Calibre 400 Laser, emerges from a collaboration with a research lab affiliated with the prestigious ETH Zürich university. This partnership provides bright and entrepreneurial students with a platform to transform their ideas into tangible products. The lasering process applied to the dial of this new timepiece enhances the merits of this approach, introducing levels of technological beauty hitherto unseen in watchmaking.
This distinctive methodology thrives due to Oris’s independence, a fundamental aspect of its identity.
The dial of the ProPilot X Calibre 400 Laser is a result of an innovative technique unprecedented in Swiss mechanical watchmaking. The titanium dial must be seen to be fully appreciated, undergoing captivating color transformations as it moves, transitioning from blue to green to violet, reminiscent of the iridescence seen in beetles. This effect is based on the principles of biomimicry, specifically optical interference found in nature, where red light waves are destroyed, and blue and green waves are reflected. Remarkably, there is not a single drop of color pigment in the watch’s dial; instead, it employs a surface manipulation that splits light into its components, creating a dazzling rainbow effect that varies with the viewing angle.
Every aspect on the dial is meticulously crafted using laser technology. Another laser process is applied to the logo, indices, minutes track, and dial text, producing a three-dimensional effect that gives the impression of conventional application. The spectacle is heightened when viewed through a loupe.
The groundbreaking laser technique employed to create the dial’s unique color is a watchmaking first. Developed in collaboration with a research lab affiliated with ETH Zürich, it is applied to the titanium dial under the guidance of the engineering department, led by Richard ‘Ipy’ Siegrist, as detailed on the next page. This serves as a prime example of technological beauty, harnessing state-of-the-art tech to craft remarkable and unforgettable watches.
Beyond the dial, the ProPilot X Calibre 400 Laser maintains the recognizable and avant-garde design introduced in 2022. Encased in a titanium 39 mm case, bezel, and crown, and complemented by a three-link titanium bracelet, it houses the mechanical Oris Calibre 400. This revolutionary five-day automatic movement boasts accuracy surpassing chronometer standards, coupled with industry-leading levels of anti-magnetism and reliability. Supported by a 10-year warranty and recommended service intervals of 10 years, this timepiece breaks new ground by omitting the date feature, allowing the dial to narrate its extraordinary story.
For more information, please visit Oris.ch.