LE Flight Timer

[rickatkins]

Hi Guys,

I was hoping for your opinions on an Oris I will be viewing this weekend. I own a collection of watches but this would be my first Oris.

My local AD has managed to get in one of the limited edition Flight Timer R4118s. The R4118 nomenclature is in reference to the Hurricane R4118 that was used in the Battle of Britain just over 60 years ago. There is only one of these fighter planes known to remain in existance. This was faithfully restored over a period of three years and was flight worthy again about two years ago. There were 14500 total built and flown. The Oris watch is limited to 4118.

Not only do I love the look and functionality of this watch but I also love the historic significance and the fact that is a limited edition. Within the package you get a gorgeous box which holds the watch, a model of the Hurricane and a book written by Peter Vacher who restored the plane.

If anybody else has any other details on the watch or the Hurricane R4118 I would love to hear them.

I wasn't looking to purchase another timepiece until the new year but this has me really excited and with the limited numbers available there could well be a purchase made this weekend. I'll keep you all posted.

For now here are some pictures of the watch I found on the web. For those not familiar with the Flight Timer range the crown at 2 O'clock can be pulled out and turned which then moves the 12 our bezel to indicate a second time zone. Ideal for pilots until GMT became the standard time at airbases, etc.

Rick.

[rickatkins]

Well, I did it. There's a shocker!

I bought the Flight Timer R4118. It was gorgeous in the flesh. I appreciate it may not be everyone's taste.

Here's some quick and dirty photos. The watch is being hidden away by my wife now for Christmas.

I'd still love to hear people's feedback. On the watch not the photos. I'll post better photos after Christmas.

Rick.

[eddie]

Is different ,unique heritage is definitively a real tool, I like it, what is inside ?

[rickatkins]

eddiea said:

Is different ,unique heritage is definitively a real tool, I like it, what is inside ?

Hi Eddie,

The ebauche is an ETA Valjoux 7750 that Oris have upgraded. It has been turned 180 degrees in the case so that the start/stop button is now at 8 O'clock and the reset button is at 10 O'clock.

Rick.

[Houston]

Wowsers - it's big Rick. That strap looks pretty robust.

So two crowns then eh?

Thanks for sharing and hope you keep enjoying it. The packaging seems to be quite a deal too.

Best WIShes

ZIN

[sprocket]

I tried on of these today, while I was waiting to pick up my wife’s new Ladies TT1, Didn’t look to big on. Just trying as I think I’m getting one for Christmas. It’s between the R4118 or the TT3 Chronograph Limited Edition but going more towards the R4118.

[Houston]

Hello Sprocket

A warm welcome to WTF. Glad you could join us.

Hope you'll visit and post often and indeed have an opportunity to look around the various pages here, including John's reference work the links of which are on the homepage.

Best WIShes

ZIN

[rickatkins]

sprocket said:

I tried on of these today, while I was waiting to pick up my wife’s new Ladies TT1, Didn’t look to big on. Just trying as I think I’m getting one for Christmas. It’s between the R4118 or the TT3 Chronograph Limited Edition but going more towards the R4118.

Hi Sprocket,

A warm welcome to WTF from myself too.

The TT3 was never in the running for me because I am not a F1 fan. I like the style of it though. It is also even more limited in production numbers with only 3000 available.

There is also a 47mm divers TT available that is limited to 2000. It is a 2000m depth watch and is endorsed by Carlos Coste, the freediving chamion of the world. I could have been tempted by this if it wasn't for the R4118. The Carlos Coste TT is 300 gbp less than the R4118 as well.

Here's a picture of the Carlos Coste LE on the metal bracelet, it also comes with a rubber strap:



For me the R4118 plane has an incredible heritage and story to tell. Plus I was always wanting a pilots watch for my collection.

Please let us know what you finally end up with.

[sprocket]

Hi guys thanks for the welcome.

My collection already consists of two Tags, a F1 chrono (Black face) and a Classic Carrera chrono (Silver face). I’ve also just bought my wife an Oris Ladies TT1.
I think the Flight Timer will fit straight in with the others, I’ve always had a thing for sport/ pilot watches. I’ll try and post some pictures of it after Christmas.

Cheers
Tony

[stewdaviesuk]

Hi sprocket and welcome.

Nice Watch Rick. I never realised you had bought one until I read a reference to it in another thread on here. I know next to nothing about Oris and haven't even looked on this forum before as far as I can recall.

Its a very striking piece though. I shal be giving Oris a closer look next time I pass a dealer.

Just got to wait for Christmas like me and the Breitling (and the Tag I have bought the wife)!

Stew

[rickatkins]

stewdaviesuk said:

Nice Watch Rick. I never realised you had bought one until I read a reference to it in another thread on here. I know next to nothing about Oris and haven't even looked on this forum before as far as I can recall.

Its a very striking piece though. I shal be giving Oris a closer look next time I pass a dealer.

Just got to wait for Christmas like me and the Breitling (and the Tag I have bought the wife)!

Stew

Hi Stew,

Thanks for the positive feedback on the Flight Timer I am looking forward to receiving.

I would recommend checking out Oris. They are a good value, good quality brand with a good heritage and a good range.

I remember you announcing your Breitling purchase a little while back because it was similar to my SuperOcean Steelfish XL.

24 days and counting buddy.

Rick.

[stewdaviesuk]

Hi Rick

I got a copy of the wristwatch annual 2007 recently and have got more familiar with the brand. Oddly enough they mention the 'jet hurricane' which perhaps means they know more about watches than me but less about WW2 aircraft!! I was an Air Cadet for many years and I still have a soft spot for aircraft (though I have worked in a shipyard for most of my working life).

An air cadet I know from years ago (probably doesn't remember me) has a jet aircraft in his back garden (to be fair he joined the RAF and flew helicopters I gather and still files an air ambulance) so perhas it is time to re aquaint myself with my aircraft heritage!

Correct on the Breitling Xmas prezzie (and the wifes Tag which has not been seen on here yet) so we both have to wait as do you,

An advent calendar with a watch every day is an (expensive) idea that has just entered my head (I have just returned for an evening of drinking mind you...)

Stew

[sprocket]

Well picked up my LE Flight Timer this morning, has now been put away until Christmas day. Did manage to get some photos of it, while the wife was still shopping I went back to the car and got some quick photos taken. I will try and put them up in the next few days. What a watch ,

One thing though, the AD had no book with the watch, and didn’t seem to know that one was supplied, any way they said they will sort it out on Monday. I’ll need to go back to the shop anyway, as they managed to give me a certificate of authorization for the flight timer (0249) and one for a LE TT3


Cheer’s all the best for Christmas & New Year

Tony

[rickatkins]

sprocket said:

Well picked up my LE Flight Timer this morning, has now been put away until Christmas day. Did manage to get some photos of it, while the wife was still shopping I went back to the car and got some quick photos taken. I will try and put them up in the next few days. What a watch ,

One thing though, the AD had no book with the watch, and didn’t seem to know that one was supplied, any way they said they will sort it out on Monday. I’ll need to go back to the shop anyway, as they managed to give me a certificate of authorization for the flight timer (0249) and one for a LE TT3


Cheer’s all the best for Christmas & New Year

Tony

Hi Tony,

Congratulations on the Flight Timer. A fine choice indeed. I think it is simply a timepiece that is trying to reinvent itself with a genuine historical reason.

I kind of understand what invictaguy is saying. However, I think this apendage adds to the functional beauty and historucal interest of the watch, because the pilots did used to use this to with their gloves on to change time zones before all air bases were co-ordinated to GMT.

I've had a look through the book you get with it and it's definitely worth reading. Don't fret too much if they can't source one for you because you can get it on Ebay.

Please send those pictures in soon.

Not long to go.

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year.

Rick.

[eddie]

Like the diver Rick although a bit big for myself ;D as far as Coste goes he is a great diver, pity the world of freediving is so fragmented that starting to look like boxing...money talks I guess