Big Crown Worldtimer

The Big Crown WorldTimer 45mm is Oris's most legible world time watch, putting all 24 time zones on a single dial without the need to do mental arithmetic. Reference 01 690 7754 4051 in steel is the current production version, running the in-house-developed Oris 690 automatic and wearing the Big Crown's aviation-rooted case proportions. At its price point it competes directly against the entry tier of Swiss world timers and largely wins on case quality and dial clarity.

What it is

Oris introduced the Big Crown WorldTimer in 2015 and has refined it across several dial and case generations since. The 45mm case references the Big Crown pilot line's large-crown DNA, originally designed for gloved hands in the cockpit. Reference 01 690 7754 4051 with the blue or black dial entered the lineup by 2019 and remains in current production as of 2024.

The Oris 690 caliber inside is a modified Sellita SW220 base with Oris's proprietary world time module stacked on top, a practical choice that keeps service costs accessible. The rotating city disc and 24-hour ring are set and corrected via the crown, advancing in one-hour jumps, consistent with how the complication has worked across all generations.

Buying notes

The city disc rotation mechanism is the most wear-prone part of the movement module; ask for evidence that it advances cleanly through all 24 positions with no catching or grinding. At 45mm the case is genuinely large and wears large, so try it on before buying if wrist size is a concern. Lug-to-lug on this ref is close to 53mm, which rules it out for smaller wrists regardless of preference.

The sapphire crystal is flat rather than domed, which increases glare at certain angles and affects legibility of the disc text in direct sun. Check the date window alignment and the printed city names for wear or fading on any pre-owned example, as the disc graphics can show use more visibly than the main dial.

Market read

New retail sits around $2,200 to $2,500 USD depending on bracelet or strap configuration. Pre-owned examples in very good condition trade between $1,400 and $1,900, making this one of the better-value world timers at its tier. There is no meaningful premium for specific dial colors; blue and black sell at parity.

The bracelet configuration holds value slightly better than strap-only examples because the Oris bracelet is well-made and buyers prefer to have it.

Service expectations

The Oris 690 caliber is a module-equipped Sellita SW220 derivative and carries a recommended service interval of approximately five to seven years. Full service with the world time module addressed typically runs $300 to $500 at an independent watchmaker familiar with Oris, and Oris's own service center is a reasonable option given their straightforward pricing. Parts availability is good because the Sellita base is a common movement in the independent service network.