The Oris Big Crown Worldtimer | family history
The Oris Big Crown Worldtimer puts a world-time complication inside the brand's aviation heritage case. A 45mm steel case, an ETA 2893-2 movement with Oris worldtime module, and a 24-city ring that displays all time zones simultaneously. Seasonal dial editions, including natural-material and hemisphere variants, have built a modest collector following.
Oris’s world-time complication in the oversized Big Crown pilot case: 45mm, 24-city ring, ETA 2893-2 base with a city-disc display that rotates with the hour hand. Seasonal and natural-material dial options (meteorite, moon phase) make it the collector-focused variant of the Oris line.
2010 · Worldtimer launch
Oris added the Worldtimer complication to the Big Crown case in 2010. The ETA 2893-2 base with a proprietary worldtime module gave Oris a legitimate complication at a competitive price point. The 45mm case is large; it is a statement piece rather than a restrained dress watch.
No references from this era in the catalog yet.
2010-present · Seasonal and natural-material editions
Oris has released the Big Crown Worldtimer in a rotating series of dial treatments, including hemisphere maps (showing either the northern or southern hemisphere), natural-material dials, and collaboration editions. These limited runs have built a collector audience that watches Oris seasonal releases. The core movement and case remain consistent; the dial is the variable.
How to read this family
Two honest questions for any Big Crown Worldtimer buyer:
- Is 45mm too large for daily wear? At 45mm, the Big Crown Worldtimer wears as a statement piece. On a wrist under 7 inches, it will overhang. If you want a worldtimer that wears more discreetly, the IWC Pilot's Watch Worldtimer (45mm) or the Longines Master Collection are alternatives at different price points.
- Standard dial or seasonal edition? The seasonal and map-dial editions trade at modest premiums on the secondary market but are produced in larger numbers than the "limited" branding implies. Buy the dial you want to wear, not as a speculative purchase.
Related families: Oris Artelier · Navitimer
References in this family
Which ref to buy
The Big Crown Worldtimer displays all 24 world time zones via a rotating disc inside the chapter ring. It pairs the pilot aesthetic with a traveler complication. Movement is a modified Sellita with the worldtime module.
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Big Crown Worldtimer -- one of the most accessible world time watches, and the pilot format suits the complication.
- The case for it:
- World time at this price point is rare. The big crown pilot case fits a traveler complication logically. The disc display with city names is practical and legible.
- Consider instead if:
- The module adds thickness. Buyers who travel frequently and want a world time watch should consider the Longines Spirit Zulu Time for a cleaner integrated solution.
Rankings last reviewed 2026-06-07. Editorial perspective only. Not financial advice.