Jewellery & Watch News
Oris are just as well-known for their affordable luxury timepieces as they are for their insane efforts for raising donations and recognition for charitable causes. Proving both these points yet again, the Swiss watch manufacturer has announced a new collaboration with Botswana’s aeromedical rescue organisation, Okavango Air Rescue. In order to create awareness for the rescue unit and celebrate their 10th anniversary, Oris has then launched a stunning limited edition Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue watch.
The Okavango Air Rescue, otherwise known as the O.A.R, was founded ten years ago when couple Christian Gross and Dr Misha S. Kruck decided to move to the rural, landlocked country of Botswana. They realised that the area’s medical infrastructure was in dire need of modernising and so together, with Christian’s experience forming several other environmental organisations and Misha’s outstanding history working around the world with some of the largest medical institutions, they formed the O.A.R. The rescue unit remains independently funded and privately owned by the couple, made up of a team of doctors, pilots, nurses, paramedics and administration staff and a polyclinic. Together, they provide medical services and emergency airborne evacuations for locals and tourists visiting the country. And so, in celebration of the O.A.R’s 10th anniversary and to raise awareness of the incredible work they do, Oris has revealed the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition watch.
“In our neck of the woods, the prestige of a beautiful watch doesn’t mean much of course, but the association has been a real boost to our team. The watch will help raise awareness of what we do, which is hugely valuable to us as we look to build a sustainable model for the future. Our pilots love Oris pilot’s watches and it’s wonderful to see a piece with our logo on the case back!” - Christian Gross, Co-Founder of Okavango Air Rescue
The design of the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue watch does a fantastic job of bringing to life the hard work and dedication of the O.A.R. Most notably, the unique textured dial at the centre evokes the colours and textures of the Okavango Delta, an area of Botswana covered by Okavango Air Rescue. The region’s beauty is noted by its status as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and the 1,000th site to be inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. Oris has truly done it justice with an olive green centre mimicking its untamed nature. The O.A.R is also commemorated on the screw down case back engraved with an image of their logo which see’s an aircraft flying over the grasslands of Botswana.
To secure the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition watch to the wrist, the 41mm satin-brushed stainless steel case is fitted with a choice of two straps, both delivered in the special edition packaging. The first is a gorgeous green textile strap manufactured exclusively for Oris by Erika’s Originals, an artisanal watch strap manufacturer renowned for crafting durable, attractive and personalised textile straps made from moisture wicking woven elastic nylon webbing. The second strap is a classic brown calfskin leather strap which like its textile counterpart is fastened by a stainless steel pin buckle.
Following in the footsteps of other Oris Big Crown ProPilot watches, the new limited edition is equipped with a knurled fixed bezel, a screw in crown water resistant to 100 metres and domed sapphire crystal glass treated with an anti-reflective coating. Just as every Oris pilots watch does, the dial guarantees exceptional legibility with white Superluminova numerals and hands and a bold red-tipped seconds hand which contrasts flawlessly against the forest green dial. Powering the hours, minutes, seconds and date complications is the Oris 751 automatic winding movement with a power reserve of 38 hours.
The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue watch is limited to only 2,011 pieces, a number chosen specifically to mark the year of the O.A.R’s founding. If you’d like to get your hands on one of these exclusive editions, head over to the W Hamond website here or call us on 01947 603330.
Specifications: Oris Big Crown ProPilot Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition (01 751 7761 4187-Set)
- Case Size: 41mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Closed with special engraving
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Oris 751
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency: 28,800bph
- Dial: Green with Superluminova markings
- Strap: Green textile made by Erika’s Originals and additional brown leather
- Buckle: Pin
- RRP: £1,750
- Limited Edition: 2,011 pieces
