Change for the Better
Oris has a mission. For some time, the watchmaker has been vocal and very active in supporting important ocean conservation projects, funding research and bringing attention to a wide range of dangers to aquatic ecosystems. They’ve released an extensive collection of watches supporting conservation projects from coral reef systems to endangered oceanic wildlife. In February, they’re adding a new model to their conservation collection, the Oris Whale Shark Limited Edition.
The Whale Shark
The whale shark is rather misnamed, as it is not a whale at all. Rather, it is the largest shark and the largest fish alive today. These gentle giants — they can grow to be more than 40 feet in length and can weigh over 20 tons — play an important role in balancing delicate tropical ecosystems by feeding on the weak or sick and keeping proliferating plankton and smaller fish in check.
Without this important predator, diversity would suffer and entire ecosystems could collapse. The population is extremely endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced in 2016 that the global population of whale sharks is half what it was only 75 years ago.
A Group Effort
Oris believes that education and community involvement is critical to correcting our course with regards to our relationship with the planet and the oceans that make up most of her surface. With that in mind, they released the Oris Whale Shark Limited Edition to bring awareness and financial support to the conservation of this important marine animal.
They’ve partnered with Oris ambassador Gerardo del Villar, an explorer and wildlife photographer, to bring his passion for this fascinating animal to the project. He has said about the company, “I liked Oris’s passion for taking action to protect marine ecosystems, and its dedication to communicating it to people. Our partnership has helped me spread the word, make documentaries, host exhibitions and conserve endangered marine creatures, such as the whale shark.”
The Watch
The Oris Whale Shark Limited Edition takes inspiration from the very creature it supports, from the rich blues of its colorway to the dive complications. The model is limited to 2,016 pieces in honor of the year the IUCN announced the whale shark dilemma.
The dial beneath the domed sapphire crystal is the rich turquoise of deep tropical waters with a shark skin effect. The colors deepen from the center toward the bi-directional rotating ceramic bezel, which plays with the ombre of deep blue to the black of the ocean depths. The hands and indices are coated with Super-LumiNova for low-light dive conditions. Applied indices are paired with a 24-hour scale laser-engraved into the bezel with a striking orange triangle and single dot at the apex. A triangle-tip pointer serves the GMT function.
Inside the 43.5 mm stainless steel case is the in-house Oris 798 automatic winding movement with 42-hour power reserve. Functions include an instantaneous date, date and 24-hour corrector, fine timing device and stop-second. The screw-in crown and screwed case back feature a detailed engraving of a whale shark in waves. The watch has a respectable 300-meter water resistance.
The Whale Shark Limited Edition is paired with a stainless-steel metal bracelet of alternating central and bilateral links and a security folding clasp with extension.
The Mission
Oris wants to be part of the change we need to maintain our oceans and ocean wildlife. They’ve partnered with many eco-activists, educators and institutions to raise funds and awareness of many important ecological challenges. With the Oris Whale Shark Limited Edition, they bring the power of their brand to fight for the survival of one of our ocean’s most important citizens.
Technical Specifications
The Movement
• Oris 798
• Functions Centre hands for hours, minutes, seconds and 24 hours, date window, instantaneous date, date and 24-hour corrector, fine timing device and stop-second
• Winding Automatic
• Power reserve 42 hours
Caseback
• Multi-piece stainless steel case, bi-directional rotating blue and black (day/night) ceramic bezel with GMT scale
• Size 43.50 mm (1.713 inches)
Dial
• Blue, with special engraved pattern
• Inspired by whale shark skin
• Luminous material Hands and indices with Super-LumiNova®
• Top glass Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
Caseback
• Stainless steel, screwed, special engravings
• Operating devices Stainless steel screw-in security crown
Strap
• Stainless steel metal bracelet with stainless steel security folding clasp with extension
Water-resistance 30 bar (300 metres)
Limited Edition
• Special box, certificate, limited to 2,016 pieces
Retail Price
• USD 3,200
Available February 2021
