Oris has unveiled the "ProPilot X Gonzo Edition," the third collaboration with Disney's "The Muppets." This model is based on the "ProPilot X Caliber 115," which features the Caliber 115 hand-wound movement boasting a 10-day power reserve. Let's take a closer look at this unique collaboration model that connects characters with a mechanical watch.
Text by Tsubasa Nojima
[Article published on January 2, 2026]
The "ProPilot X Caliber 115" aims to be a modern mechanical watch.
Oris has unveiled the "ProPilot X Gonzo Edition" as a new model for 2026. Its base is the "ProPilot X Caliber 115," which features a skeletonized, hand-wound movement. The ProPilot X Caliber 115 was first introduced in 2019. Based on the Cal. 100 series, which symbolizes Oris's in-house developed movements, the Cal. 115 was created after approximately two years of development, resulting in a skeletonized version.
The ProPilot X Caliber 115 is, as its name suggests, a pilot's watch, but it has a design that differs from the classical pilot's watch that is generally imagined. The 44mm diameter titanium case employs a sharp design that makes extensive use of straight lines, and together with the titanium bracelet that flows continuously from the case, it forms a geometric form. The skeletonized Cal. 115 can be viewed from the dial side, and at the 12 o'clock position is a large mainspring barrel that produces a long power reserve of approximately 10 days, at the 3 o'clock position is a non-linear power reserve indicator that allows for more precise reading of the remaining time as the mainspring's remaining power decreases, and at the 7:30 position is a small seconds subdial. In this new model, the mainspring barrel and power reserve indicator, which are symbolic of the Cal. 115, are used as a stage to express a certain character.
This is the third collaboration with "The Muppets." It features vibrant blue, red, and yellow colors, a chili pepper-shaped power reserve indicator, and even a mechanism that reveals Gonzo's face when the mainspring is wound. Manual winding (Cal. 115). 38 jewels. 21,600 vibrations/hour. Power reserve of approximately 10 days. Titanium case (44mm diameter, 12.6mm thickness). 10 ATM water resistance. 1,705,000 yen (tax included).
The fearless showman, "The Great Gonzo"
Oris has collaborated with Disney's "The Muppets" for this project. The character chosen for the lead role is Gonzo, or "The Great Gonzo," a character with blue fur and a long, crooked nose. Gonzo first appeared in "The Muppet Show" in 1976. From the beginning, he has been portrayed as an eccentric showman, gaining popularity for his outlandish performances and unconventional stunts.
Oris and The Muppets have previously collaborated on the "ProPilot X" featuring Kermit and Miss Piggy, making this the third collaboration. While the previous two collaborations incorporated playful elements to translate the characters into watches, this time the base model itself is different. Its bold appearance, featuring a skeleton dial and a massive mainspring, is a perfect match for Gonzo's character, who excels at daring performances.
When you wind the mainspring, Gonzo appears.
What makes this watch so striking is the vibrant colors adorning its skeletonized dial. A gradient transition from blue to red to yellow creates a look completely different from the regular model. This was inspired by Gonzo's striking fur and distinctive fashion sense. Furthermore, the dial ring features laser processing, causing the colors to change depending on the viewing angle.
The non-linear power reserve indicator at the 3 o'clock position is also a special design. The hands are chili pepper shaped, inspired by the chili pepper pattern shirts that Gonzo likes to wear. Instead of the usual "DAYS," the scale is marked "10 GREAT DAYS." This playful touch, combining "The Great Gonzo" with a 10-day power reserve, is unique to this collaboration model.
Even more noteworthy is the massive mainspring barrel at the 12 o'clock position. In the Cal.115, the barrel housing the long mainspring is open, allowing you to see its interior from the dial side. This model also incorporates a gimmick. As you turn the crown to wind the mainspring, the patterns scattered across the mainspring gradually overlap, and eventually, Gonzo's smiling face, drawn with laser processing, emerges. Conversely, as you run the watch and unwind the mainspring, the face gradually disintegrates, and the individual patterns disperse again. The character appears and disappears by utilizing the operation unique to mechanical watches—winding the mainspring—and the mechanism of its contraction.
For typical character collaboration models, simply drawing an illustration on the dial would suffice. However, in this case, Oris's ingenuity is evident in how they've utilized the skeleton structure inherent in the Cal.115 movement to create a mechanism that's only possible with a mechanical watch.
A lightweight titanium exterior gives the large 44mm diameter case a sleek look.
While the distinctive dial is eye-catching, the ProPilot X Caliber 115 also boasts unique features in its exterior design. Despite its large 44mm case diameter, the case and bracelet are made of lightweight titanium. The case is composed of multiple parts, and the combination of flat surfaces and sharp edges creates a geometric form reminiscent of the skeletonized Cal. 115. The continuous design from the case to the bracelet, among other elements, sets it apart from classic pilot watches, resulting in a modern style.
The watch features a double-sided spherical sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides. The case back is also made of sapphire crystal and is see-through, allowing you to admire the Cal. 115 movement from a different angle than the dial. The Cal. 115 movement is a large movement with a diameter of 34mm. The impressive sight of it visible through the sapphire crystal is something that cannot be easily experienced with other movements.
Its most distinctive feature is its exceptionally long power reserve of approximately 240 hours, or about 10 days. Such a long power reserve would normally significantly reduce the need to wind the crown. However, the Gonzo Edition features a gimmick where Gonzo's smile becomes more complete the more you wind the crown. This is what makes the approximately 10-day power reserve, designed to reduce the hassle of winding, so interesting, as it actually makes you want to wind it. A mechanism originally designed for practicality is given a new way to enjoy it through this collaboration.
Instead of "placing" characters on the watch, they are expressed through a mechanical timepiece.
Many brands collaborate with characters to create watches. However, striking the right balance between a watch design and its functionality is probably more difficult than one might imagine. If the character is prominently featured, it's immediately clear which work the collaboration is with. On the other hand, this can make the watch seem more like character merchandise than a wristwatch. Conversely, if the design is too understated, the meaning of the collaboration is diminished.
The newly announced ProPILOT X GONZO Edition offers a somewhat unconventional answer to this challenge. The vibrant gradient of blue, red, and yellow, and the chili pepper-shaped hands are certainly easily recognizable motifs. However, the fact that GONZO isn't always visible makes it less direct. GONZO only appears when the mainspring is wound, and disappears again when the watch is worn. This mechanism, where GONZO appears and disappears depending on the watch's state, is perhaps an ideal way to express the character's appeal while retaining the characteristics of the base model—a perfect conclusion for a collaboration.
The ProPilot X Caliber 115 was originally a model that showcased its mechanisms, such as the massive mainspring and non-linear power reserve indicator, as visual attractions through its skeletonized structure. The mainspring becomes the stage for the appearance of Gonzo, the approximately 10-day power reserve is transformed into a joke with "10 GREAT DAYS," and the power reserve hand becomes a chili pepper. The skeletonized structure is adorned with vivid colors reminiscent of Gonzo. The playful spirit of the base model is amplified through this collaboration.
A collaboration model shouldn't be merely a superficial addition of a logo or color to an existing watch. By understanding the individuality of the collaborating partner and connecting it to the characteristics of the base watch, it's possible to create ways to enjoy the watch that weren't available in the base model. The ProPilot X Gonzo Edition is not simply a model that "puts" a character on a watch. It's a model that expresses Gonzo using the mechanical watch itself.
