Oris Big Crown Flight Timer 1945 Limited Edition Ref. 690 1945 4084 - No. 1673/1945
The "60 Years" inscription on this watch does not refer to a brand anniversary, but rather to the sixty years of peace that followed the end of World War II. With this sentiment in mind, only 1,945 units of the Oris Big Crown Flight Timer 1945 Limited Edition were produced in 2005. The "1945" in the model name does not indicate the year of manufacture; instead, it represents the historic year being commemorated and the total number of pieces produced. The specific example offered here is number 1673/1945 in the series.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: As this item is shipped from within the European Union, you will not be liable for customs duties within the EU.**
The stainless steel case, measuring approximately 41.5 mm, houses a timekeeping system far more complex than that of a standard pilot's watch. Central hands display local time; the hour hand can be adjusted forward or backward in one-hour increments using pushers on the case. Furthermore, the date adjusts automatically when the day boundary is crossed. This solution allows the wearer to switch to local time while traveling between time zones without disrupting the minute and second settings.
A sub-dial at the 3 o'clock position displays a second time zone (hours and minutes), while the small seconds are located at 9 o'clock and the date at 6 o'clock. However, the Flight Timer’s most distinctive control is the large "Big Crown" located at the top of the case. This crown operates the rotating bezel surrounding the dial, enabling the tracking of a third time zone. Thus, the watch's unconventional case architecture offers more than just a visual pilot theme; it provides a genuine mechanical function. The entire system is powered by the 30-jewel Oris Calibre 690. Developed based on the ETA 2836-2, the Oris Worldtimer movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. The true value of the movement lies not so much in its base caliber, but in its ability to integrate three time zones and a quick-set local time function into a single analog system.
Despite the busy appearance of the black dial, the displays are clearly delineated. Large white hands and indices ensure legibility across the various time scales, and the luminous material remains highly reactive to light. The fluted bezel, oversized controls, and multi-piece steel case lend the watch the authentic character of a cockpit instrument.
The historical theme extends to the case back. The transparent section reveals a fighter jet motif on the movement, while a dove symbolizing peace appears on the opposite side. Thus, the limited edition status is not merely a number engraved on the case; the watch's design is built directly around the history it commemorates.
The documentation accompanying this specific piece is also noteworthy. A Japanese sales record indicates that the watch was sold in 2006 through a watch retailer in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. This allows for the tracing of not only the watch's manufacturing history but also its initial retail journey. It comes complete with the Oris product manual, International Guarantee documents, a service center booklet, and the Flight Timer 1945 Limited Edition brochure.
Blue protective films remain intact on certain sections of the original steel bracelet. The black zippered case shown in the photos is not the original factory presentation box; ...added later to ensure the watch could be carried safely.
Final Thoughts
What makes the Flight Timer 1945 special isn't just its limited production run of 1,945 pieces. Instead of creating a run-of-the-mill commemorative watch to mark the end of the war, Oris designed a travel watch capable of tracking three time zones in a truly practical way, featuring a design on the case back that pairs a fighter jet with a peace dove. The fact that the sales history of this specific unit (No. 1673/1945) in Japan is fully documented and that its steel bracelet still retains its protective film adds an exceptionally compelling layer to its story.
The product shown here was manufactured in 2005.
It has undergone professional servicing and refurbishment.
The movement was completely disassembled; every component was cleaned, lubricated, and precision-adjusted to ensure flawless operation. (It requires no further servicing for three years, provided it is not exposed to adverse conditions.)
Product Condition: Tested; all functions are fully operational.
