Oris Aquis Date Upcycle & Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue - helping the world

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Oris gained the audience’s respect by creating consistent collections with clear and recognisable design but also by being involved in various activities with the goal of a clear help: preserving the ecosystem, saving the planet and helping the people. So today I will present to you two pieces created to help, one is dedicated saving the ocean, the other is dedicated to saving persons: Oris Aquis Date Upcycle and the Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition.

Oris is actively involved in so many activities that will need an article just to relate the facts. The brand is focused on four pillars: GoYourOwnWay (Art Blakey, Momotaro, Sun Wukong), Community (Carl Brashear, Movemeber Crew, Aaron Boon, Roberto Clemente, Swiss Air-Rescue Rega, Okavango Air Rescue), Hölstein (sustainability, climate neutrality) and Nature (Ernst Bromeis, Anna von Boetticher, Gerardo del Villar, Lake Baikal Foundation, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Reef Restoration Foundation, Korea Federation for Environmental Movements, Everwave, Wadden Sea, Coral Restoration Foundation^TM, Cervo Volante).

The amazing part is the fact that the watches are fairly affordable, giving the ability of the collectors to participate indirectly in all these actions just by buying a watch or directly by offering information and awareness about all these programs and people. I have to admit that many of these foundations or special people were completely unknown to me. The brand offered the possibility to learn not only about the special people involved in rescue activities but about the special situations that need as much help as possible.

Oris Aquis Date Upcycle – “not garbage on the wrist”

When this watch was launched last year, I’ve heard various people talking about it in a pejorative: “ha, ha, you have trash on the wrist” – referring to the recycled materials used for the dial. And I realised how wrong most of us see this. Considering the nightmarish amount of plastic we throw into the sea (instead of direct recycling), the fact that there are ways to gather and use it as prime or as raw material is astounding. We have to be grateful that there are people willing to clean the oceans and find ways to use this “garbage”.

A little piece of art

The dial of the Oris Aquis Date Upcycle is a unique piece of art. Not two dials are the same due to the nature of the material: various colours and patterns are created during the upcycling/recycling process. The two watches presented exemplify perfectly this unique art form.

Considering the applied indexes with SuperLuminova, the spectacularity of these dials can be enjoyed night & day. The doted second’s hand creates a nice show in lower lights.

The watches are provided with a date complication, clearly visible at 6 o’clock(black printing on a white background).

The diver case

Oris Aquis Date Upcycle comes in a 41.5mm or 36.5 mm stainless steel case. The crown bearing the Oris name is protected by two large lateral protection bumps. The bezel is fitted with a good-looking grey ceramic insert with the traditional diving markings.

Both size variants are accompanied by a well-constructed 3-links metal bracelet with a folding clasp. The watch is comfortable but a bit on the heavy side. One must have a bit of exercise to become accustomed.

Interesting that both sizes are very affordable and situated at the 2,200 Euro price tag, only 50 Euros more that the classic versions. Considering the complexity involved in having this dial, I am impressed.

A common but robust and reliable beater

Oris Aquis Date Upcycle is powered by the calibre Oris 733 – a Sellita SW200-1 based movement. This one is a classic choice for Oris, especially before the development of the in-house Calibre 400. Machine-made and decorated, the movement does not offer a spectacular show, but it excels at being a cheap and reliable version. It also serves for that end low price point.

A serious diver for a good purpose

Let’s be honest, most of us are desk divers with, in the best case, occasional snorkelling and pool dives. Such an example is a perfect choice for a sporty water watch. It offers the possibility to have a unique dial manufactured using recycled material, so a product that helps reduce plastic pollution…

I salute Oris’s efforts to create this piece. Working with #tide and other partners to recycle materials used in watchmaking is an effort that more brands should follow. It is a fun and lovable watch that can suit your style if you hunt for your favourite dial’s colour combinations. For me, it inspires a sense of pride in wearing it… Do good, spend just a little and be happy!

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition

I found out about the Okavango Air Rescue through Oris. Creating such a beautiful watch to celebrate the 10th-anniversary of Botswana’s aeromedical rescue organisation it is a sign of respect and recognition. Recognition for the importance of a small group of dedicated people to help and support with medical services for the remote populations in Botswana.

A rich dial

The Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue comes with a rich patterned green dial inspired by the natural beauty of Botswana.

The grasses of the Okavango Delta are faithfully represented as seen from above – an image that the rescue team is accustomed to seeing on a regular base, while flying in the most remote places. The raised numerals and indexes with luminescent are associated with well-visible hands.

A white-on-black date is revealed through a square aperture placed at 3 o’clock. The printed marking seems to float on the dial – a gorgeous effect enriching an already beautiful dial.

ProPIlot case

The Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition features my favourite case from Oris. I find it very representative for the brand’s pilot watches. Manufactured in steel, the 41mm case is accompanied by a Green textile strap created by Erika’s Originals (and a second brown leather strap), that fits perfectly the watch’s theme. The combo is comfortable and quite light (even with the steel case).

The signature case with an inclined fluted bezel and the oversized crown features a full metal caseback hiding the Calibre Oris 751.

Affordable robustness

A movement often met in this collection, the Calibre 751 is based on the Sellita SW220-1. The 4Hz movement offers a decent 38 hours of power reserve and comes with the red signature rotor weight decoration (even if it is not visible under the screwed caseback).

Celebrating help, celebrating humanity

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition is another collaboration piece with a message. Besides a good reminder of what our fellow humans need in remote parts of the globe and how some people are dedicating their lives and efforts to helping those in need, the watch is an unusual but good-looking pilot watch. Priced at 2,400 Euro, the watch offers an excellent choice for those wanting a reliable and unmistakable pilot piece.

Final words

I remember being asked what I think about Oris creating so many collaborations and different pieces. My answer is simple: there are never too many… These watches create two effects: the most important – educate the public and the collectors about various important topics, and second – they offer the possibility to have a special watch, sometimes unique, at a great price.

When it comes to their involvement in these hot topics, I am happy to see a brand so dedicated to doing good, regardless of where and how. Important is to do good and Oris Aquis Date Upcycle & Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue are two excellent examples. My respect and gratitude!

Oris Aquis Date Upcycle Technical Specifications

Reference

Functions

Hours, minutes and central sweep seconds hands,
date with quick setting,
stop second device,
date window at 6 o’clock

Movement

Number Oris 733
Dimensions Ø 25.60 mm, 11 1/2’’’
Winding Automatic
Power reserve 38 hours
Vibrations 4 Hz (28’800 A/h)
Jewels 26

Case

Material Multi-piece stainless steel case, uni-directional rotating bezel with grey ceramic insert
Size 41.50 mm, 1.634 inches / 36.50 mm, 1.437 inches
Top glass Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
Case back Stainless steel, screwed, see-through mineral glass
Operating devices Stainless steel screw-in security crown
Water-resistance 30 bar (300 m)
Interhorn width 22 mm / 18 mm

Dial