Oris Revives a Surprisingly Trendy Design from a Century Ago for Its Signature Timepiece
The watch industry is truly embracing formal elegance.
Oris
Published just two hours ago.
If you follow the links in this article, we may receive a commission. Find out more about our evaluation process here (https://www.gearpatrol.com/about/a43276360/how-we-evaluate-products/).
It’s now official: the tuxedo dial has emerged as the standout watch trend of 2026.
Since late 2025, we have seen a surprising resurgence of dress watches with this classic design (https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/serica-6190-txd/). With barely two weeks into the new year, Oris (https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/oris-year-of-the-horse/) has firmly established this trend by reintroducing its iconic "Bullseye" design.
For those who might not be well-acquainted with this monochromatic style, a tuxedo watch features two concentric circles of black and white on the dial. In some cases, these designs are crafted using precious metals or tonal variations instead of merely pigments, as exemplified by the Universal Genève Polerouter (https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/universal-geneve-polerouter-sas-tribute/), which represents the quintessential tuxedo dial.
Oris boasts an impressive and extensive archive, showcasing tuxedo dials dating back to the 1920s, when this style first captured public interest. The current model recreates a specific dial design known as the “Bullseye,” distinguished by its dartboard-like appearance and featuring a unique three-circle pattern rather than the traditional two.
In a recent press release, Oris Chairman Ulrich W. Herzog, who has been part of the company since 1978, shared that the “Bullseye” dial enjoyed significant popularity from the 1940s to the 1970s. Upon orchestrating a buyout that led to Oris's independence in 1982, he was eager to resurrect this distinctive look. However, after a time, the last Oris “Bullseye” dial was produced in 1998. Now, nearly thirty years later, the tuxedo dial is making a triumphant return, and there’s no better moment to bring back the “Bullseye.”
Let me draw your attention to...
The “Bullseye” dial is featured on Oris’s flagship model, the Big Crown Pointer Date, which naturally resembles a dartboard. The outer edge of the dial is a soft white, accompanied by a striking red 31-day track indicated by the signature red-tipped “shuffleboard” date pointer hand.
As you move inward, you encounter a black-on-white railroad minutes track, echoing the Double Points Ring found on a dartboard. Following that is a broad black ring adorned with printed white numeral hour markers.
At the center of the dial, you’ll find the same off-white color as the outer rim, showcasing the brand logo printed in black at the 12 o’clock position, and “Big Crown/Automatic” marked at the 6 o’clock spot. The actual bullseye of the design can be seen at the base of the cathedral hands.
Both the hands and hour markers are treated with green-glowing Super-LumiNova, while the dial is protected by a double-domed sapphire crystal, enhancing its durability.
On another note,
One reason behind the popularity of Oris’s Big Crown Pointer Date is its remarkable versatility. By experimenting with color palettes and making subtle adjustments to details, the watch can easily take on a sporty, tool-like, or — as is the case here — a more formal appearance.
The black tie “Bullseye” dial is elegantly encased in a 38mm stainless steel version of the classic Big Crown case, complete with the characteristic coin-edge fixed bezel and satin brushed finish. True to form, the oversized crown is engraved with the brand’s logo.
This watch is powered by the Oris Caliber 754-1 automatic movement, operating at a frequency of 4Hz and offering an impressive 41-hour power reserve, which can be admired through a mineral crystal exhibition case back.
To complement the tuxedo aesthetic, it features a black deer leather strap equipped with a pin buckle and quick-release pins. This leather is sourced from Cervo Volante (https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/oris-cervo-volante-big-crown-pointer-date-orange/), a Swiss organization dedicated to collecting deer hides from a regulated culling process within the Alpine population, aimed at preserving ecological balance.
Availability and Pricing
Looking back to the end of 2025, it’s clear this is one of the most noteworthy tuxedo dial watches currently on the market. It maintains a refined dressy vibe while also providing the unique characteristics of the Big Crown Pointer Date.
You can now purchase the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date “Bullseye” (https://go.skimresources.com/?id=31959X896062&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oris.ch%2Fen-US%2Fproduct%2Fwatch%2Fbig-crown%2Fbig-crown-pointer-date%2F01-754-7779-4061-07-5-19-25&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gearpatrol.com%2Fwatches%2Foris-big-crown-pointer-date-bullseye%2F&xcust=%5Bcontentid%7C959346%5Brefdomain%7Cwww.gearpatrol.com%5Bcontentproductid%7C%5Bproductretailer_id%7C) directly from Oris for $2,350. This watch is part of the regular production line and joins the esteemed Oris Big Crown collection.
Oris
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date “Bullseye”
Specifications
- Case Size: 38mm
- Movement: Oris caliber 754 automatic
- Water Resistance: 50m
About the Author: Brad Lanphear serves as an associate editor at Gear Patrol, focusing on watches and style. Before joining Gear Patrol, he contributed to publications such as Heddels and Men’s Health. He is perpetually on the quest for the ultimate pair of Japanese denim.
Would you like to stay informed about the latest product news and releases? Consider adding Gear Patrol to your preferred sources to ensure our independent journalism surfaces at the top of your Google search results.
