Oris introduces the third watch made in partnership with the Carl Brashear Foundation and the first powered by Oris’s in-house Calibre 401, a highly resistant five-day automatic.
A watch with a big heart
The Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition is powered by a new in-house Oris movement
It’s with great pride that we introduce the Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition, created in support of the Carl Brashear Foundation. Furthermore, we are delighted that this special watch, which is limited to 2,000 pieces, becomes the first watch to carry Oris Calibre 401, the second movement from our new family of in-house automatics.
The new watch is cased in 40 mm of bronze, a material chosen to symbolise not just the diving helmets worn by Carl during his career as a U.S. Navy Master Diver, but also because it’s a metal that will tell its own story. Bronze is a natural material that patinates as it reacts with oxygen in the air and moisture from your skin. Over time, it will take on a unique finish, like a visual chronicle of the wearer’s own life wearing the watch.
Inside it is the automatic Oris Calibre 401. Based on Calibre 400, launched last year, it was designed from the ground up by Oris’s in-house watchmakers. As well as being more accurate than a chronometer (to within -3 to +5 seconds a day), it solves many of the mechanical movement problems of our time by offering heightened levels of anti-magnetism, a five-day power reserve and a 10-year extended warranty.
Oris Calibre 401 differs from Calibre 400 in that it features a small seconds at 6 o’clock, an Oris signature. It’s a movement designed to overcome life’s knocks – a timeless symbol of the spirit shown by Carl Brashear throughout his life of service.
The watch also has a blue dial, inspired by naval tradition, a uni-directional rotating bronze bezel with a diving scale in relief, and a custom-designed, hand-crafted, moisturewicking woven elastic nylon webbing strap produced for this watch by Erika’s Originals.
Pushing for change
As part of our mission to bring Change for the Better, Oris partners with the Carl Brashear Foundation, which brings hope to many
“It’s not a sin to get knocked down. It’s a sin to stay down.” These are the words of Carl Brashear, one of the 20th century’s most enduring figures of triumph in adversity. Carl overcame numerous challenges, both on account of his background and later disability, to become the U.S. Navy’s first African American diver and first amputee Master Diver. He is a man of honour and an inspiration to people all over the world.
In 2015, as part of our mission to bring Change for the Better, Oris partnered with the Carl Brashear Foundation, set up in his memory and to continue his legacy.
It’s been our privilege since then to work with the foundation and in particular Carl’s son Phillip and his family. Now, we’re delighted to announce a third watch bearing his name, the Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition, the first watch powered by the new Oris Calibre 401, a high-performance automatic.
The Carl Brashear Foundation uses Carl’s story to inspire people never to give up. Carl was born into a poor farming community and overcame racism, a lack of education and, following an accident while on active duty, disability to achieve his ambitions. His story was made into the movie Men of Honor, starring the Oscar-winning actors Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro.
Funds raised by sales of Oris Carl Brashear watches have supported countless veterans and vulnerable people, giving them hope and helping them achieve their goals.
“Carl’s is an extraordinary legacy, and we’re incredibly proud to share in it and support the foundation,” says Rolf Studer, Oris Co-CEO.
“Together with the Carl Brashear Foundation, we hope that every time someone wearing this new watch looks at it, they will be reminded to never give up, and to press on, no matter how insurmountable the challenges ahead appear.”
Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition Technical Specifications and Price
Movement
- Oris Calibre 401
- Functions Centre hands for hours and minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, 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
Case
- Multi-piece bronze case, uni-directional rotating bronze bezel with timing scale in relief
- Size 40.00 mm (1.575 inches)
- Top glass Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
- Case back: Stainless steel, screwed, special engravings
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100 m)
- Operating devices Bronze screw-in security crown
Dial
- Blue
- Luminous material Hands and indices with Super-LumiNova®
Strap
- Blue woven elastic nylon webbing strap with bronze buckle, specially produced in partnership with Erika’s Originals
Price
- Swiss retail price CHF 3,900
Limited edition 2,000 pieces, each delivered in a special presentation box. Available January 2021
Warranty Extended to 10 years with MyOris sign-up. Applies to watch and movement.
10-year recommended service intervals, five-year recommended water-resistance check
