iW Magazine Spring 2019 | Page 126

Doing Good ORIS DIVER INSPIRES FRESHWATER CONSERVATION HE NEW AQUIS DATE RELIEF IS THE LATEST ORIS DIVE watch developed by the Swiss watch- maker to provide more than simply the time underwater. This 43.5mm steel dive watch is also part of a mission to raise awareness about the need to conserve and improve the world’s sources of freshwater. Oris debuted the new watch earlier this year concurrent with an announcement detailing its new partnership with Ernst Bromeis, an expedition swimmer and water ambassador. Bromeis took the watch as part of his ecological Blue Miracle journey swimming across Lake Baikal in Russia (more on this partnership later). The Oris Aquis Date Relief is indeed inspired by water, with a gray dial and applied markers and hands filled with SuperLuminova and a diving scale with numerals in relief (hence its name) “as a reminder of the texture of water,” according to the brand. The central seconds hand is in red, and the date is visible through a window at 6 o’clock. Like the earlier Oris Aquis Date, the new watch features a unidirectional rotating bezel and a full 300 meters of water resistance. It comes on a choice of strap—gray or red rubber with steel security folding clasp with extension—or gray T 126 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SPRING 2019 leather, as well as a stainless steel bracelet. Inside the watch is the Sellita-based automatic Oris 733 movement, with a power reserve of 38 hours. THE BLUE MIRACLE Bromeis calls himself an expedition swimmer. “I’m also a water ambassador, meaning I try to bring the fundamental importance of water to people,” he says. As for the performance of the watch, he adds, “During my research in Siberia, the Oris Aquis Relief worked well. I’m convinced that it will also do a great job during the Baikal expedition swim.” The Bromeis’s Blue Miracle project is just the latest of many ecological ventures backed by Oris. Other examples include the Coral Restoration Foundation (to replant coral), the Pelagios Kakunjá (to protect endangered shark species), and its work with conservationists wishing to secure UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The company continues to work with other non-profit organizations on initiatives that create positive change. Prices for the Oris Aquis Date Relief: $1,800 on a rubber strap; $1,850 on a leather strap; $2,000 on a steel bracelet.