Oris Tributes First Plane to Beat Sound Barrier.

Oris Big Crown Collection adds another horological tribute to historic strides made in aeronautics. The Big Crown X1 Calculator honors the first aircraft to fly faster than the speed of sound and break the sound barrier. The Bell X-1. On October 14th, 1947, piloted by Chuck Yeager, the Bell X-1, looking very much like a bullet with wings, was launched from the bomb bay of a modified B-29 and reached a speed of 807.2 mph (1,299 km/h) during an unrepresented supersonic flight #50. This flight was a joint effort by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (now NASA) and US Air Force in collaboration with Aircraft builders, Bell Aircraft, as part of a supersonic research project. The Bell X-1 was the first of many "x-planes" , a US series of experimental and classified aircrafts designed for testing new technologies.

The Oris Big Crown X-1 Calculator actually sports a calculator of sorts - a historically accurate circular slide rule mounted on the bezel. The slide rule is a mechanical calculator pilots use for dead reckoning as well as converting time, distance, speed, and temperature values, compass errors and calculating fuel use. Although GPS eliminates much need for mechanically calculating this information, most aircrafts are equipped with this device for back up purposes. In addition, flight schools require its students to know how to use the slide rule.

The notched rotating bezel adds a rugged look to the 46mm, PVD coated, gun metal grey, stainless steel case. A anti-glare treated Sapphire crystal ,cambered on both sides, protects a metallised black/gray dial. Hour markers and hands are treated with Superluminova allowing for time display in the dark. . Counters displaying the 12-hour, 30 minute and small seconds are placed at the 6,12 and 9 -o-clock respectively.
The case houses an automatic ETA Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement. A handy m/ft conversion is displayed on the case back.

The watch is water resistant to 30m and affixed to the wrist by a comfortable black calfskin leather strap. The watch will be available in the $3000 to $4000 range, which makes it extremely affordable for an excellent well crafted, not to mention useful, timepiece.

Oris watches embrace traditional craftsmanship by only producing mechanical watches. Oris prides itself in its quality of craftsmanship at affordable prices.