Oris returns to the water with a 2,000-piece limited-edition created in support of the Australian non-profit Reef Restoration Foundation and their mission to bring Change for the Better. The new Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition IV is based on the next-generation New Aquis Date Calibre 400, released at Watches and Wonders Geneva earlier this year, but with a few extra details designed to capture the foundation’s story.
Major coral bleaching events have left the world’s reefs in great peril. According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science, aerial surveys of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park show 73 per cent of surveyed reefs have what they call “prevalent bleaching”. Oris is partnering with the pioneering non-profit Reef Restoration Foundation to conserve and protect these life-giving natural bodies. The Foundation is funded wholly and solely through donations and sponsorships by individuals and businesses far and wide. Oris came on board as a sponsor in 2018. The arrangement included sponsorship of one coral tree nursery. It also included provision of a number of watches sold to support the programme. The new watch will directly support the ongoing financial commitment to the foundation’s coral-tree-planting mission.
The Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition IV features a stunning gradient dial which captures both the turquoise and blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef from the air and also the refraction of the sun’s rays through water. This is the one of the few times Oris has made a watch with a dial gradient that falls vertically from 12 o’clock, rather than emanating from the centre position. The watch also has a grey tungsten bezel insert, and features a case back with special engravings, including the limited-edition number.
The base is the Aquis Date 43.50 mm, the refined modern versatile toolwatch with 30 bar (300 metres) of water resistance. Its stainless steel case, screw-in crown, crown protection, uni-directional rotating bezel and three-link bracelet have all been redesigned for improved ergonomics and performance. As with all Aquis Date Calibre 400 models, it also features the Oris-patented strap change and quick adjustment systems, both designed for ease-of-use and versatility.
Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition IV, $6,000
In detail
- Case: Multi-piece stainless steel case, uni-directional rotating bezel with tungsten bezel insert
- Size: 43.50 mm (1.713 inches)
- Dial: Blue gradient
- Luminous material: Indices, hands and lollipop seconds in Super-LumiNova®
- Top glass: Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
- Case back: Stainless steel, screwed, special engravings
- Operating devices: Stainless steel screw-in security crown
- Bracelet: Multi-piece stainless steel metal bracelet with Oris-patented Quick Strap Change System, security folding clasp with Oris-patented quick adjust clasp system
- Water resistance: 30 bar (300 m)
Movement
- Number: Oris Calibre 400
- Functions: Date, centre hands for hours, minutes and seconds, fine timing device and stop-second Accuracy: -3/+5 seconds a day (within COSC tolerances)
- Extra features: Highly anti-magnetic
- Winding: Automatic
- Power reserve: 120 hours
