Jewellery & Watch News
Oris takes the next steps to ocean conservation with another Great Barrier Reef limited edition Aquis watch, made in collaboration with the Reef Restoration Foundation.
Just less than 75% of surveyed reefs around the world have what is known as “prevalent bleaching” whereby elevated water temperatures cause great distress to the many different species of coral, causing them to expel tiny algae from their tissues, turning them white. It is yet another sad repercussion of the effects mankind is having on the Earth. These reefs are home to nearly a quarter of all ocean species, creating a ripple effect (excuse the pun) across the ocean’s ecosystem. Another thing to think about is that these species not only sustain the health of the oceans but contribute to 70% of the world’s oxygen. Clearly, something needs to be done.
One organisation doing considerable work to help reverse the impact coral bleaching is having on the oceans is the Reef Restoration Foundation, which was set up back in 2016. Oris, who has been supporting Australia’s Great Barrier Reef for over 15 years, has done some great work with this organisation and has released several cool limited edition timepieces to promote the importance of its work. The latest to come of the partnership is the new Oris Great Barrier Reef IV watch. Limited to just 2000 pieces in the world, this special timepiece captures the beauty of the oceans with its gradient aquamarine-blue dial. What’s more, all profits will help financially support the organisation. The money made from the new dive watch will fund an experienced team to look after and continue to grow reef nurseries, helping to put back into the ocean what has been lost.
This is not the only work Oris does, though. In 2022, the brand’s first sustainability report showed that its goal was to reduce its global emissions by 10% per year, and just a year before that, it became climate neutral – all things to be proud of. As part of its Change for Better campaign, the Swiss watchmaker, known for its red rotor hallmark and legendary Aquis watch line, has invested in several conservation and sustainability projects. Very few Swiss watch brands have come close to achieving climate-neutral status, making this a significant feat for Oris and yet another eco-friendly rung to add to its sustainability ladder.
The advantages to this partnership between Oris and Reef Restoration Foundation are twofold. Not only is the work being carried out crucial to the conservation of our oceans, but it also boosts Oris’ brand awareness, enabling the company to pitch itself exactly where it wants to be in the industry - right at the heart of important global matters. Oris wants to make a change in the world and is making some significant steps in achieving its goals.
Co-CEO of Oris Rolf Studer comments on the importance of the partnership;
“Oris is climate neutral and committed to the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Supporting the Reef Restoration Foundation is a joy and we’re delighted to shine a light on their work to counter the effects of climate change on the world’s reefs”.
Oris’ Next Generation Aquis Date Calibre 400
If you follow our news here at Jura Watches regularly, you’ll already be aware that Oris launched some newly designed criteria for its Aquis watch at the Watches & Wonders 2024 showcase in Geneva. The improvements made to the design include the bezel, case, crown and crown protection feature, promising improved performance, comfort and wearability. In this new Oris Aquis Great Barrier Reef IV watch, these modifications manifest themselves in the gradient dial – one of the most fetching features of the entire design. Very rarely has Oris created a gradient design that falls in a vertical direction from top to bottom. Here you can see that the turquoise tones of the dial begin at 12 o’clock and gradually meld into a deeper blue colour to evoke the shades of the ocean and its depth.
Oris experts ensure that each of the pill-shaped hour markers and the prominent, highly legible hands on the dial have been treated with lashings of Suer-LumiNova to aid legibility in dark underwater conditions. The dial also features the date at 6 o’clock, set against a colour-matching background, rounding the dial off with a more flowing and consistent look. Surrounding the dial is a unidirectional bezel with a grey tungsten insert. The material boasts high resistance to wear and has been chosen as part of the new generation design, enabling the watch to withstand any challenging conditions experienced underwater or on dry land.
Inside the 43.5mm stainless steel case of this new Oris Aquis Great Barrier Reef IV watch is the in-house manufactured Calibre 400. The engine features in several modern Oris watches, offering an accuracy of -3/+5 seconds per day and a power reserve of 120 hours once fully wound. Although you don’t actually get a chance to observe this beautiful movement as it works, you can appreciate something equally as impressive on the model’s caseback. The surface of the steel has been engraved with an image of the Great Barrier Reef, along with the model’s limited edition lettering.
In particular, I love the combination of the grey tungsten bezel against the vivid blue ocean-inspired dial. The redesigning of the bezel is now even easier to grip under slippery conditions and can be easily used to measure elapsed time underwater by aligning its zero point with the minute hand. The sapphire crystal glass front is also domed and treated with anti-glare technology. To finish its robust diver-ready look, this limited-to-2000-piece design features a three-link bracelet design with brushed and polished links. Its foldable clasp is engraved with the Oris logo and comes with a push-button release mechanism and an adjustable feature for wearing over the top of swimwear.
If you’d like to order one of the 2000 Oris Aquis Great Barrier Reef IV watches today, you can do so by calling and speaking to a member of our C W Sellors sales team on 01335 216 004 or emailing us at sales@cwsellors.com
