Genuinely surprised by ORIS ProPilot X
Recently visited ORIS retail to try on the ProPilot X. Neither the initial releases nor the following Kermit and laser editions really interested me much, until when I decided to go take a look in person.
Perfect size (for me), very light thanks to its titanium build, very subtle and low key, yet still so much fun and exciting—hey, where else would you find a "seatbelt" buckle?
I think this is truly a novel approach in defining a modern-era pilot's watch. Sorry Breitling, but I'm talking about you.
If I hadn't spent so much money on watches this year already, I think I definitely would have picked it up on the way out.
Please share your experiences with the ProPilot X if you have some! If not, what are your thoughts?
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I think the ProPilot watches are amazing.
I bought one but returned it about a week later. I absolutely love the case design and size, but the dial ended up bugging me as it felt like the mid-century look and flat printing was mismatched to the deeply sculpted, modern case.
More importantly, though, the bracelet kept catching on my arm hair (a rare occurrence for me) and the movement had a problem with the minute-hand jumping when set, though I've read Oris has since had that corrected in a "400.2" version of the movement so you may want to make sure you have a recent example before buying it.
I bought one but returned it about a week later. I absolutely love the case design and size, but the dial ended up bugging me as it felt like the mid-century look and flat printing was mismatched to the deeply sculpted, modern case.
More importantly, though, the bracelet kept catching on my arm hair (a rare occurrence for me) and the movement had a problem with the minute-hand jumping when set, though I've read Oris has since had that corrected in a "400.2" version of the movement so you may want to make sure you have a recent example before buying it.
Ouch (arm hairs)! Mine has been comfortable to wear, but I'm not super hairy. Yes the jumping min hand is fortunately a thing of the past. I get the criticism of the dial, but I actually like the juxtaposition of the super-simple dial to the more elaborate case and bracelet styling; I think the former lets the latter really speak. But to each their own.
I own the same version as shown in the photo, have had it since late Oct last year and love it. If I were to do a "moans and niggles", they would include:
The un-coated grade 2 titanium really does scratch quite easily. Would be nice if they treated it for additional hardness like some do (e.g. RZE at a significantly cheaper price point)
I do wish there was microadjustments (and even more so, tool-free/on-the-fly microadjustments) available on the clasp. Though, I get how that would be very difficult with the aesthetics chosen (which I do love).
Mine runs faster than I'd like, typically gaining about 10 seconds or so per day on average. It's not bad enough that I've asked about getting it looked at, but it's about double the spec sheet number, which is disappointing. For most people I've seen posting online, they get a much more accurate timekeeping experience from their 400.
I own the blue ProPilotX and I'm very happy with it. As you mention, it's a very subtle watch, but with (jet)pilot details everywhere.
I've no jumping hand issues, nor anything else to complain. I also love this flat/grainy dial surface. And regarding arm-hair-catching bracelet: also no issue.
I’m waiting to actually see that new laser dial in person, but I did try on the grey one and really liked it much more than expected. But I’d buy it grey unless I could really get them to discount heavy !
I don’t have a pro pilot X, but I do have a LE pro pilot that I think is pretty neat. Even lighter than titanium with the carbon fiber case. And the caliber 400 is great.
You guys with your PPX photos are making me wish this wasn't a Sinn week for me! (Lately I've been doing Sunday to Saturday on the PPX, the repeat the next week on the 556A RS, and back and forth.)
I have Kermit, love it. As Mutnat said, the Titanium scratch a lot.
Get it second hand much cheaper
I bought one but returned it about a week later. I absolutely love the case design and size, but the dial ended up bugging me as it felt like the mid-century look and flat printing was mismatched to the deeply sculpted, modern case.
More importantly, though, the bracelet kept catching on my arm hair (a rare occurrence for me) and the movement had a problem with the minute-hand jumping when set, though I've read Oris has since had that corrected in a "400.2" version of the movement so you may want to make sure you have a recent example before buying it.
There was something off about the dial that I couldn't tell then. Maybe I should go and take a look again in that perspective. I took the blue dial's picture but gray dial didn't have that off feeling (for me at least). Thanks for the tip about the movement!
Ouch (arm hairs)! Mine has been comfortable to wear, but I'm not super hairy. Yes the jumping min hand is fortunately a thing of the past. I get the criticism of the dial, but I actually like the juxtaposition of the super-simple dial to the more elaborate case and bracelet styling; I think the former lets the latter really speak. But to each their own.
I own the same version as shown in the photo, have had it since late Oct last year and love it. If I were to do a "moans and niggles", they would include:
The un-coated grade 2 titanium really does scratch quite easily. Would be nice if they treated it for additional hardness like some do (e.g. RZE at a significantly cheaper price point)
I do wish there was microadjustments (and even more so, tool-free/on-the-fly microadjustments) available on the clasp. Though, I get how that would be very difficult with the aesthetics chosen (which I do love).
Mine runs faster than I'd like, typically gaining about 10 seconds or so per day on average. It's not bad enough that I've asked about getting it looked at, but it's about double the spec sheet number, which is disappointing. For most people I've seen posting online, they get a much more accurate timekeeping experience from their 400.
Hmm. Scratches can be an issue. While I don't mind scratches too much, I don't want a scratch magnet. Maybe ORIS should have done something like tegiment coating at Sinn?
You should definitely have yours checked! 10s/day sounds not too bad, but for a peace of mind maybe?
I own the blue ProPilotX and I'm very happy with it. As you mention, it's a very subtle watch, but with (jet)pilot details everywhere.
I've no jumping hand issues, nor anything else to complain. I also love this flat/grainy dial surface. And regarding arm-hair-catching bracelet: also no issue.
Yes! The jet pilot details! I love vintage airplanes, I own a classic-style pilot's watch, but jet airliners are awesome too! Heck, why not a Starship-style pilot-astronaut watches?
I’m waiting to actually see that new laser dial in person, but I did try on the grey one and really liked it much more than expected. But I’d buy it grey unless I could really get them to discount heavy !
I looked at the laser dial too and I wasn't impressed. Doesn't look like the photos—some may like it some may not—but personally wasn't for me.
I don’t have a pro pilot X, but I do have a LE pro pilot that I think is pretty neat. Even lighter than titanium with the carbon fiber case. And the caliber 400 is great.
Awesome watch! Carbon fiber would have looked great on ProPilot X form factor too 😄
You guys with your PPX photos are making me wish this wasn't a Sinn week for me! (Lately I've been doing Sunday to Saturday on the PPX, the repeat the next week on the 556A RS, and back and forth.)
Share your PPX story next week and we'll all be happy 😂
I looked at the laser dial too and I wasn't impressed. Doesn't look like the photos—some may like it some may not—but personally wasn't for me.
So how different was it from the grey one?
There was something off about the dial that I couldn't tell then. Maybe I should go and take a look again in that perspective. I took the blue dial's picture but gray dial didn't have that off feeling (for me at least). Thanks for the tip about the movement!
You are lucky to be able to return it. I wanted to return it the next day but the shop said cause bracelet was adjusted I could not return it. And struggle to sell the laser one ever since
Ouch (arm hairs)! Mine has been comfortable to wear, but I'm not super hairy. Yes the jumping min hand is fortunately a thing of the past. I get the criticism of the dial, but I actually like the juxtaposition of the super-simple dial to the more elaborate case and bracelet styling; I think the former lets the latter really speak. But to each their own.
I own the same version as shown in the photo, have had it since late Oct last year and love it. If I were to do a "moans and niggles", they would include:
The un-coated grade 2 titanium really does scratch quite easily. Would be nice if they treated it for additional hardness like some do (e.g. RZE at a significantly cheaper price point)
I do wish there was microadjustments (and even more so, tool-free/on-the-fly microadjustments) available on the clasp. Though, I get how that would be very difficult with the aesthetics chosen (which I do love).
Mine runs faster than I'd like, typically gaining about 10 seconds or so per day on average. It's not bad enough that I've asked about getting it looked at, but it's about double the spec sheet number, which is disappointing. For most people I've seen posting online, they get a much more accurate timekeeping experience from their 400.
I sit corrected on the hair pulling. Was just drinking some coffee via my left hand and had a hair pull putting the mug down.
On the brighter side, nice to be back to my PPX.
So how different was it from the grey one?
The laser dial looks a bit dull IMO. It lacks the luster as portrayed in the photos. Grey one looks much better, much more coherent.
You are lucky to be able to return it. I wanted to return it the next day but the shop said cause bracelet was adjusted I could not return it. And struggle to sell the laser one ever since
Oh I haven't bought it yet. Yeah they typically don't let you return it once you adjust the bracelet no? Is the laser one harder to sell than other ones?
I sit corrected on the hair pulling. Was just drinking some coffee via my left hand and had a hair pull putting the mug down.
On the brighter side, nice to be back to my PPX.
I guess the hair pulling is quite common? Something I would have never heard on YouTube reviews 🤔
I guess the hair pulling is quite common? Something I would have never heard on YouTube reviews 🤔
I guess, though it isn't very frequent for me personally.
Don’t know laser looked cool but hard to sell