Oris Introduces Two Ocean Conservation-Focused Dive Watches

Oris has long been a brand with a wide assortment of interesting dive watches that demonstrate a stalwart charitable commitment to the world’s oceans. This year at Baselworld, the Hölstein-based brand is doubling down on its commitment to the seven seas with two new limited edition dive watches: the Clean Ocean Limited Edition produced in partnership with Pacific Garbage Screening and the Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition III produced in partnership with the Reef Restoration Foundation.

The first of these, the Clean Ocean LE, uses the Oris Aquis Diver model as its base with some special design traits for the 2,000-model run. With a 300-m water resistant 39.5-mm steel case, integrated metal bracelet, and angled crown guards, it gives off a very sturdy appearance. Throughout the watch are large screws that offer a rather industrial look, which is well contrasted with the brushed and polished finishing used on its many facets. On top of the face, it uses an attractive navy ceramic unidirectional bezel, which outlines the sunburst aqua blue dial. On the dial are prominent applied white markers for each of the hour indexes, with small printed marks for the minutes, while a subtle date window adorns the 6 o’clock position. Sweeping over the dial are two large hands for the hour and minute, with an elongated tipped lollipop hand to count the seconds.

Inside the new watch is the Oris 733, which uses the Sellita SW200-1 as its base— an automatic movement capable of a 38-hour power reserve. The new watch’s most distinguishing feature is likely the multicolored medallion on its caseback, which is made from recycled PET plastic, one of the most common forms of plastic in the world— think water and soda bottles— and therefore a huge contributor to plastic pollution in the ocean.

The next of these watches, the Great Barrier Reef LE III, is similar to the Oris Aquis Small Seconds Date model, but instead features an analog date indicator compared to a 3 o’clock window. The case of the piece is the same design as the Clean Ocean LE, but is now sized a bit larger at 43.5-mm and uses a yellow triangle topped bezel. The sunburst dial and its markers are also the same style as the Clean Ocean LE, differentiating itself not only with its circular date window, but also in its subtle seconds sub-dial towards the 9 o’clock position. Powering the piece is the Oris 743, which also uses the Sellita SW220-1 as its base movement; its protective case back uses a commemorative engraved coral and constellation design.

The two watches come as a part of the brand’s new “The Oceans Project,” a campaign framed as a series of watches and activities to strengthen Oris’ commitment to oceanic health. One of the non-profits featured here is the Reef Restoration Foundation, which works to “regenerate high-value corals on the Great Barrier Reef with coral planting projects to counter the effects of coral bleaching.”

And the other, the Pacific Garbage Screening, is “developing technology that will help keep the world’s water clean by capturing plastic before it enters the ocean.” Both are relatively new non-profits, but are nonetheless doing important work to counter the toxic effects of rising ocean temperatures and plastic pollution.

The two new models are limited to 2,000 total pieces each and will be available in June. The Great Barrier Reef LE III will be priced at $2,550 and the Clean Ocean LE will be priced at $2,300.