The idea of creating a watch with a rotating internal bezel that one could operate using an external unit is not terribly new. However, it is this new Oris BC4 Flight Timer 690 7615 41 54 LS that puts the whole concept on its head.
Oris BC4 Flight Timer: The Overall Impression
The new Oris BC4 Flight Timer features a second time zone indicator (aka GMT.)
Being an ultimate pilot’s watch, it definitely looks like the Swiss engineers have somehow managed to squeeze a whole airplane cockpit into a modestly-sized 42.7mm stainless steel case with a huge vertical crown dominating the view.
The crown operates the internal rotating bezel.
You can use it as a rudimentary compass if you know how to use it. And even if you don’t, it is not that difficult.
Just put the watch on any flat surface with the hour hand pointing at the sun, then keep rotating the inner bezel until the “S” mark stays roughly midways between the hour hand and the 12-hour mark on the dial Now, if you are in the Northern hemisphere, you roughly get your South.
Of course, the bezel also serves as a second time-zone thanks to its extra set of bright red Arabic numerals.
Although I don’t find the contraption to be particularly convenient to use, it is still intuitive enough: pull the crown upwards and turn it counter- or clockwise to turn the bezel. Yes, it is that simple.
The Busy Dial
With so much information available, the watch feels busy (even in comparison with the BC4 Chronograph that Oris released at the same time as this Flight Timer,) but not to a degree when all the data becomes virtually useless.
Yes, the internal bezel with its numerous markings draws a lot of attention to itself and, in the beginning, will fight vigorously for your attention. However, as soon as you get used to it, you will automatically filter out all information, which unnecessary at the moment and get only what you need, be it time in your current time zone, your home zone, or the date.
Although lacking fluorescent markings, the second time zone dial is clearly visible at 3 o’clock in normal lighting conditions.
However, to my taste, the strips of lume on the main pair of hour and minute hands are too narrow and short for the indicators to be easily read at night.
The 43mm Case
With its size of almost 43 millimeters wide, the case still looks massive on a normal wrist. The problem is partially compensated by a relatively low profile of the main, um, hull, but the vertical crown still makes using the BC4 Flight Timer as a daily beater a bit troublesome: if there is a piece of clothing that this control element can cling to, believe me: it will.
The two push-pieces just below eight and four o’clock positions are actually useful. Push the one at the left side of the body with a universally understandable “minus” sign on it and the main hour hand will move an hour back allowing you to adjust to a new time zone with a single push of the button. Push the one on the right and the hand will jump one hour forward.
Both push-pieces do not affect the reading on the second time zone display, which is, too, convenient. If you, however, need to change both time zones at once (for example, on a night when a DST time comes into effect), just use the main crown at three o’clock.
An ETA 2836-2-based Mechanism
The BC4 Flight Timer features what Oris prefers to call the Caliber 690, but the movement is not in-house.
Just like many other smaller watchmakers (including, for example, Ball Watch with its 2022 Engineer 00RED,) Oris used the well-known ETA 2836-2 blank movement as a base.
Of course, the list of modifications isn’t limited to just a branded oscillating weight. There’s an extra “second time zone” complication module attached to it. Although the use of an add-on module reduces the timekeeper’s reliability (more parts to fail, more power needed to drive the extra pair of hands,) it is still a good price to have such an unusual fashion accessory.
Alas, the movement won’t stun you with its finish: compared to a standard blank caliber, the only thing that makes it stand out is the aforementioned Oris oscillating weight. Also, the transparent case back cover could look way better with a sapphire crystal: you have a right to expect something more than a mineral glass in this price range.
Conclusions
All of its shortcomings notwithstanding, the BC4 Flight Timer is definitely a must-have, especially if the manufacturer keeps the street price below the $3000 mark. This will certainly be a bargain compared to the recently unveiled IWC Pilot Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN priced in the $5000 – $10,000 range.
See also: Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph
Photos: Oris
Oris BC4 Flight Timer specification:
Price range: $3000 – $4000
Movement: Automatic, Caliber Oris 690, base ETA 2836-2, Swiss Made
Power reserve: 38 hours
Complications: Second time-zone (GMT), date, compass
Case: Stainless steel, multi-piece, secured with 7 screws
Diameter: 42.70 mm
Case thickness: 13.50 mm
Back: Mineral glass
Crystal: Sapphire glass domed on both sides with inner anti-reflective coating
Dial: Two-piece black dial with printed pattern, applied nickel hour markers, nickel hands with Superluminova inlay
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black gaucho leather strap with contrasting stitching and special folding clasp