Jewellery & Watch News
Introducing the third instalment of the legendary Oris Carl Brashear watch, the new Oris Cal.401 Carl Brashear Limited Edition once again proudly supports the Carl Brashear Foundation while becoming the beneficiary to the Swiss watch manufacturer’s brand new in-house Oris Calibre 401 automatic movement.
Known as a “Man of Honour”, Carl Brashear remains one of the most celebrated American military heroes in history. Throughout his life, he was subjected to an unfair amount of prejudice, racism and poverty and despite his limited formal education, he was determined to become a Navy diver. Regardless of his short-comings and further racial prejudice from the Navy, in 1954 he became the first African American Navy. Then sadly, in the March of 1966 during a critical mission of the coast of Spain, Brasher lost the lower portion of his left leg and was left disabled. While the Navy wanted him to retire, he fought to remain on active duty and instead became the first amputee diver to continue service. It is his limitless willpower and determination that serves as inspiration for the new Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition as well as inspiration for divers and non-divers alike around the world.
“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 the new Oris Carl Brashear Cal.401 watch looks at it, they will be reminded to never give up, and to press on, no matter how insurmountable the challenges ahead appear.”
Following on from the original Oris Carl Brashear watch released in 2015 and the second chronograph variation unveiled in 2018, the third and latest Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition watch is handsomely dressed in full bronze, a material chosen especially for its associations with diving. Bronze watches have become incredibly popular over the past few years for their unique ability to change colour over time. The material patinates as it reacts to oxygen in the air and moister from your skin so that it takes on its own unique finish, like a visual chronical of the wearer’s own life. The 40mm bronze case is paired with a matching bronze unidirectional rotating bezel with 60 minute scale, domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment on the inside and a screw in security crown with a 100 metre water resistant rating.
Turn the Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition watch over and you are greeted to a stunning screw down case back cased in classic stainless steel. To commemorate Carl Brashear and the use of bronze, a decoration of a diving helmet is engraved alongside the limited edition number out of 2,000 pieces. Another novelty is the super comfortable, custom-designed and handcrafted strap by Erika’s originals. Engineered from highly elastic nylon fabric, the strap is coloured in a handsome navy blue to match the dial and detailed with a cream stripe down the centre.
A notable feature for many luxury watch enthusiasts is the brand new Oris Calibre 401 housed within the Carl Brashear limited edition. As part of the brand’s new family of in-house automatics, the Calibre 401 follows in the footsteps of the Calibre 400 launched inside an Aquis model late last year. The automatic movements boast an immaculate construction with heightened levels of anti-magnetism and an accuracy that triumphs chronometer certification of -3 to +5 seconds per day. While the Oris Calibre 400 remains a classic three-hand and date movement, the Calibre 401 delivers a handy small second’s sub dial at 6 o’clock. The Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition continues to impress with classic central hands for hours and minutes, 21 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, a healthy five day power reserve and an extended 10 year warranty.
The Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition watch is available to order now on the W Hamond website. Get in touch with the team on 01947 603330 or at info@whamond.com for more information on the limited edition of 2,000 pieces and the interest free finance and free next day delivery available.
Specifications: Oris Carl Brashear Cal.401 Limited Edition (01 401 7764 3185-Set)
- Case Size: 40mm
- Case Material: Bronze
- Bezel: Uni-directional with 60 minute scale
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on inside
- Crown: Bronze, screw in security
- Case Back: Stainless steel, screwed, special engravings
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Calibre 401 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock
- Power Reserve: 120 hours
- Accuracy: -3/+5 seconds per day
- Jewels: 21
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue with Superluminova hands and indices
- Strap: Blue woven elastic nylon webbing
- Buckle: Bronze pin
- Limited Edition: 2,000 pieces
- Release Date: 19 January 2021
- RRP: £3,350
