The upcoming Swiss Hunter Team PS Edition (ref. 01 733 7629 4063-Set LS in 44 millimeters and a smaller ref. 01 733 7649 4091-Set LS in 38 mm) collection may not look particularly original both to Oris fans and to those especially interested in aviator’s timekeepers, but, with a part of the proceedings promised to be diverted to a fund supporting a number of the last remaining Hawker Hunter Mk 58 fighter jets from the good old Cold War era, it certainly supports a noble cause.
Writing off an obsolete plane is never a particularly pleasant experience. Putting one to scrape metal is like killing an old horse: if you are a good man, you just can’t help crying.
The famous Patrouille-Suisse display team used the legendary Hawker Hunter Mk 58 planes for almost thirty years. The warbirds that came into service in the late 1950s were officially retired only in 1994. Like it always happens, the old planes were substituted for more agile and maneuverable Northrop F-5E Tiger II jets.
Sometime later, the many fans of the team started a public campaign for saving the British-built planes from being sold as scrap metal.
In 2009, Oris decided to join the cause and introduced the gorgeous Hawker Hunter limited edition. Presented in a 46 mm case, it was nothing but stunning.
This year, the brand shakes the boat again. Enter the Oris Swiss Hunter Team PS Edition family.
Offered both as ladies’ and gents’ watches, the timekeeper will be available in 38 mm and 44 mm bodies respectively.
While the lady’s version features a dressier appearance with 13 diamonds serving as hour markers (the marker at 12 o’clock sports a pair of the precious stone,) the gent’s version looks almost like a true “aviator”.
Thanks to a pair of broad sword-shaped hands and a healthy amount of lume on them, both versions offer superb legibility, although the 44 mm version with its dark-grey dial looks more contrast than the ladies’ version.
Both models offer a water resistance rating of up to 100 meters and are equipped with the Oris Cal. 733 automatic movement, which is based on the well-known Sellita Cal. SW200 blank caliber.
With an MSRP of $1750 (the 38 mm version that was apparently designed for ladies costs $100 more, ’cause, you know: diamonds), the Patrouille-Suisse Edition is not terribly expensive, especially if you factor in its reliable and fairly accurate movement and an overall clean and functional design.
See also: Oris Big Crown X1 Calculator
Photos: Oris
Oris Swiss Hunter Team PS (Patrouille-Suisse) Edition specification
Price: $1750 (MSRP, ref. 01 733 7629 4063-Set LS in 44 mm) / $1850 (ref. 01 733 7649 4091-Set LS in 38 mm)
Movement: Automatic, Oris Cal. 733, based on caliber Sellita SW 200, 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Branded rotor
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm / 38.00 mm
Dial: Dark grey or Silver
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Leather strap or Stainless steel bracelet
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Transparent