Independent Swiss watchmaker Oris has been making timepieces in partnership with non-profit organizations worldwide, predominately focusing on restoring and conserving our environment. With its latest limited edition, Oris supports the Roberto Clemente Foundation, which honors the talents, achievements, and humanitarian initiatives of its namesake, baseball legend Roberto Clemente. Here’s what you need to know about the Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition, which will be among the highlights from 24 participating brands at the WatchTime Live virtual collectors’ event on October 22-24.
Born in Puerto Rico, Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker began his career at the early age of 17. Before moving to the U.S., he played in the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League, leaving a year later to join Brooklyn Dodgers Organization. Following his Major League debut in 1955 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, for whom he played 18 seasons, Clemente won two World Series and 12 Gold Glove Awards. In September 1972, he reached 3,000 hits, making him the first Latin American player to achieve this milestone. It was after shortly thereafter that Clemente, who had been involved in community work throughout his career, sent aid to the Central American nation of Nicaragua, which has been ravaged by an earthquake. Upon discovering his shipments were missing, the athlete insisted on accompanying the next aid flight, which he boarded on December 31. The plane crashed into the sea, and Clemente’s body was never recovered.
In 1973, Roberto Clemente was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the same year the Commissioner’s Award, an annual award to major league baseball players for their charitable work, was renamed the Roberto Clemente Award. In 1993 Clemente’s widow Vera established the Roberto Clemente Foundation, whose mission to “build nations of good,” is now run by his son Luis Clemente.
When asked about the partnership, Luis Clemente said: “We’re currently fundraising for the new Roberto Clemente Sports City. I’m also building the Roberto Clemente Network, which will connect all existing Roberto Clemente schools, leagues and venues so we can work together to assist in cases of natural disasters.” He added, “We’ve worked on a watch together that honors my dad. There [are] 3,000 watches, a number we chose because that was the number of hits he had during his career. We want to inspire people to become better humanitarians and to carry the message of love for humankind.”
The stainless steel case of the Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition measures 40 mm in diameter (1.575 inches) and employs a screw-in security crown to ensure its water-resistance; the type of crown used by Oris has a bayonet closure rather than a threaded one, making it easier to unlock while underwater. The white-colored dial with black-and-gold accents is inspired by Walker’s baseball uniform with the Pirates, and protected by a dome-shaped sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating inside. Its hands and indices are coated in Super-LumiNova. The hour, minute and second hands are centered on the dial and use vintage-look pastel-yellowed, Arabic numerals for its time telling function. Underneath 12 o’clock is the “Oris” logo in black lettering. Above 6 o’clock, you can find “Big Crown Automatic,” in black letters; underneath it is the designation “Swiss Made.”
The screw-down case back feature inscriptions paying homage to Clemente; an outline of the baseball player is in the center while the watch’s edition number, water resistance rating, reference number, and other stats circle the outer edge.
The case is water-resistant to 50 meters (5 bar). Behind it ticks the manufacture movement Oris Caliber 754. This automatic movement, based on the Sellita 200-1, offers 38 hours of power, an instantaneous date function with date corrector, a stop-seconds function, a frequency of 28,800 vph and 26 jewels.
The Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition is limited to 3,000 pieces and is mounted on a light brown leather strap with white double stitching inspired by a baseball. It is available online and at retail for CHF 1,850 (approx. $2,016). An additional black, gold, and white-colored NATO strap with buckle is also available. The watch comes presented in a special box with a certificate of authenticity.
To learn more about WatchTime Live, its sponsoring watch brands, and details on its schedule of presentations and panels, and to sign up for tickets to the event, click here.
| Manufacture: | Oris |
| Model: | Roberto Clemente Limited Edition |
| Reference Number: | 754 7741 4081 |
| Movement: | Oris Caliber 754, Sellita-201 base, automatic, 28,800-vph, instantaneous date function, date corrector, timing device, stop-seconds, 26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, |
| Functions: | Hour, minute, seconds |
| Case: | Stainless steel, screw-down crown, water-resistant to 50 meters |
| Strap & Clasp: | Brown leather with white stitching or black, gold, and white NATO strap with buckle |
| Dimensions: | Diameter = 40 mm |
| Price: | $1,950 |
Having grown up in Pittsburgh I was excited when I heard about this watch. Sadly, the picture on the back says nothing about his career with the Pittsburg Pirates or his famous jersey number 21. Too bad as I was a buyer.
Beautiful watch, lovely classic styling, the silver case and tan strap work so well