BY DHANANJAY PATHAK
What happens when our friends at Fratello Watches join hands with a prolific Swiss watch brand like Oris? It results in the creation of a special product that entails some intriguing details that make it stand out from the crowd. So, without further ado, here it is ladies and gentlemen, the new Oris and Fratello Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date.
The Oris and Fratello Big Crown Pointer Date is the perfect example of how a few changes can make a significant impact on the overall look and feel of a watch. The Oris Pointer date is possibly one of the most charming watches in the brand’s catalog and its popularity can be judged by the sheer number of variations on offer, one of which comes equipped with a deep red dial. Released in 2019, the burgundy dial Pointer date is offered with a steel case that gives the watch a bold and contemporary appeal. And that is what our friends at Fratello have attempted to change by throwing in a bronze case on this new watch.
The copper and brown tones of the bronze case complement the Burgundy dial quite well and give the watch a warmer and more elegant look as compared to its steel sibling. Furthermore, the use of bronze also means that the case would develop a patina over a period giving each piece a unique personality. This aside, the case retains its overall proportions and still measures 40mm in diameter, has a thickness of around 12mm, and a lug to lug distance of around 48mm. Perched on top of the case is a fluted bezel that securely holds the beautiful domed sapphire crystal in place. The crown at 3 is threaded and helps keep the watch water-resistant to 50 meters.
The dial on the Pointer Date has always been one of its strengths and nothing much has changed on that front. You still get Arabic numerals for hours, cathedral-style lume filled hands, railroad-style minute track, and the printed date wheel on the outer periphery. However, there are a few details that set this watch apart from its steel sibling. First and foremost is the use of golden color that can be seen in action almost everywhere on the dial. The gilt tones complement the bronze case and prevent the Oxblood dial from standing out much. Another interesting detail is the use of the text “Anti-shock” that replaces the “Automatic” text and is inspired by a historical Oris reference.
Ticking inside this watch is the Oris calibre 754. An automatic movement, the calibre 754 is based on the Sellita SW200-1 and features a special module to handle the pointer date complication. The movement operates at 4 Hz and offers an autonomy of around 38 hours when fully wound. While the regular version of the Pointer date does show off the movement through the sapphire glass, folks at Fratello decided to keep it hidden beneath a closed case back that features Fratello branding along with the limited-edition number.
The new Fratello and Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer date with Oxblood dial is accompanied by a Taupe leather strap and an additional “Fratello Grey” nato with bronze keepers. The watch is limited to 300 pieces, out of which 250 would be available exclusively on the Fratello online boutique and the remaining 50 would be available to purchase from select Oris boutiques. The watch retails for EUR 1,950.
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