Oris has returned to the Muppets universe, and the latest character to get the watch treatment is Gonzo the Great.
The ProPilot X Gonzo Edition follows earlier Oris collaborations tied to Kermit and Miss Piggy, but this one takes a more mechanical route to character storytelling.
Instead of putting Gonzo plainly on the dial, Oris hides him where only a watch person would think to look.
At a glance
- Oris has introduced the ProPilot X Gonzo Edition as its third official Muppets collaboration.
- The 44mm titanium watch uses a skeletonised gradient dial and a hidden Gonzo laser-etched onto the mainspring.
- It runs on the manual-winding Oris Calibre 115 with a 10-day power reserve and is priced at CHF 8,500.
A ProPilot X with a Muppet-sized secret
The ProPilot X is a fitting platform for this particular collaboration because it already has a slightly unconventional personality.
Its 44mm titanium case is modern, lightweight and architectural, while the openworked dial gives Oris room to play without turning the watch into a novelty object.
The colour treatment is the most immediate Gonzo cue.
Across the skeletonised dial, Oris uses a gradient of blue, red and yellow that nods to the character’s familiar palette without needing a cartoon portrait at centre stage.
There are smaller jokes tucked into the display too.
The power reserve is indicated by a chilli pepper, a detail Muppets fans will recognise, while the scale measures remaining autonomy in “great” days.
Calibre 115 makes the punchline mechanical
The smartest detail sits inside the movement rather than on top of the dial.
Gonzo is laser-etched onto the mainspring of the Oris Calibre 115, a manual-winding movement with a 240-hour power reserve.
That detail works because the calibre’s large mainspring is visible from the dial side.
It also isn’t constantly on show, which makes the idea more charming.
Gonzo appears only under certain conditions, when the mainspring is fully wound and the etched figure is in view.
For a character known for chaos, daredevil stunts and oddball timing, making him appear through the state of wind feels unusually well judged.
Why Oris character watches work
The danger with pop-culture watch collaborations is that they can become too literal too quickly.
Oris has largely avoided that by treating the Muppets as design prompts rather than dial mascots.
The Kermit connection was famously handled with green and a date-wheel cameo, while the Miss Piggy edition used colour and a single diamond to suggest character rather than announce it.
The Gonzo Edition continues that restraint, but with a more technical joke at its core.
It’s still playful, but it asks the wearer to engage with the watch as a mechanical object.
That makes it more interesting for collectors who enjoy character watches but don’t want something that feels disposable after the first smile.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Oris |
|---|---|
| Model | ProPilot X Gonzo Edition |
| Case size | 44 x 52 x 12.6mm |
| Case material | Titanium |
| Dial | Skeletonised gradient in blue, red and yellow |
| Movement | Oris Calibre 115, manual-winding |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, non-linear power reserve |
| Power reserve | 240 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 metres |
| Strap or bracelet | Titanium with Oris folding clasp |
| Price | CHF 8,500 |
The Oris ProPilot X Gonzo Edition succeeds because it understands the difference between a gag and a good idea.
It has the colour, the wink and the fan-service detail, but the lasting appeal is that Oris has built the joke into the movement itself.
