Jewellery & Watch News
Three is the magic number... Oris’ third time partnering with the Carl Brashear Foundation. The third bronze watch to support the collaboration. The third limited edition Carl Brashear watch by Oris. But the first to house an independently manufactured movement…Introducing the stunning Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition watch.
Exclusive to just 2000 pieces worldwide, the Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition watch captures the indomitable spirit of the famous US Navy Diver with a rugged design based on the trusty Divers Sixty Five range. Some key points to note; it features an innovative small second sub-dial, offers an impressive 5-day power reserve and withstands the damages caused by magnetic fields – all courtesy of an engine belonging to Oris’ new in-house calibre range.
The legacy of the African American diver
Carl Brashear- not just any diver. As a figure of triumph in adversity, he was the first African American diver in the U.S. Navy – the first amputee Master Diver too. Overcoming various challenges throughout his life, he once said “It’s not a sin to get knocked down. It’s a sin to stay down.” True to Oris’ approach to luxury watchmaking, this statement couldn’t be any more fitting. As part of Oris’ mission to bring about Change for the Better, the watch features a case inspired by the diving helmets worn by the Master Diver during his career. Crafted from bronze, this material is returning to wristwatches as a popular choice since it can patinate over time on the wrist. Similar to the “go your own way” message behind Oris’ new Whale Shark Limited Edition watch - the bronze case of the Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition tells a story of its own as it ages.
The first limited edition Carl Brashear watch by Oris launched back in 2016, making a splash with its 42mm time and date design. Two years later, a slightly enlarged case of 43mm came in the form of a sporty chronograph. Now, the new Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 watch is a more compact 40mm size and promises a natural fit on the wrist of any vintage dive watch lover.
The Carl Brashear foundation is run by Brashear’s son, Phillip. The non-profit organisation honours the life of the African American Master Diver but also serves as a beacon of inspiration to others facing challenges of their own whether those be disabilities, illiteracy, poverty or racial prejudice. During a critical mission off the coast of Spain, Carl Brashear lost the power of his lower left leg but remained adamant he would continue on active duty within the US Navy as an amputee. The Man of Honour lives on in the foundation, bringing Change for the Better with Oris, which supports the values of the organisation with the launch of this new Limited Edition Carl Brashear watch.
The Calibre 401
Oris’ Calibre 401 belongs to the company’s 400 Calibre series which launched in October 2020. Promising an accuracy within -3 to +5 seconds a day, the proprietary movement, developed by COO Beat Fischl, is produced from a tapestry of cutting-edge industrial techniques and offers better accuracy than chronometer-certified movements. Its two twin barrels are capable of delivering a 5-day power reserve and its silicon balance spring is resistant to magnetic forces. These 30 anti-magnetic components exceed the standards required by the ISO 764. It also features a newly developed oscillating weight based on a slide-bearing system that winds only in one direction. This movement reduces wear and tear over a long period. The Cal. 401 with small seconds is concealed behind a screwed stainless steel caseback adorned with special engravings in honour of the Master Diver and the legacy he leaves behind. As with any watch that carries the Oris Calibre 401, the Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition watch has an extended warranty of 10 years.
The Oris Carl Brashear Cal 401. Limited Edition
Bronze is a trendsetting metal that is returning to dive watch cases. The 100-meter water-resistant case of this Oris Limited Edition watch in its new size of 40mm will please many fans of the Divers Sixty Five watch series. It comes equipped with a screw-down crown and unidirectional rotating bezel with a legible scale in relief. The bezel rotates only in the counter-clockwise direction, ensuring that the remaining dive time is only ever reduced, never extended. This diver-safety feature ensures that whether under manipulation or not, the diver can never outstay his welcome underwater. The back of the case depicts an image of Carl Brashear’s helmet and his famous words “It’s not a sin to get knocked down. It’s a sin to stay down.”
The navy blue dial of the new Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 watch boasts a gilt minute track and light old radium Super-LumiNova-treated central hands. The gold indexes around the hour track are also luminous in dark conditions or during the night. The hand of the small second counter located at 6 o’clock on the dial is again treated with lume and provides a balance against the Oris lettering residing at 12 o’clock. The features on the dial are protected by a lens crafted from anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass – domed on both sides.
One last distinguishing feature of the Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition watch is its stylish deep navy blue woven elastic nylon webbing strap. The material band has been custom designed and hand-crafted in partnership with Erika’s Originals. To complete the look of the diver-inspired watch, a buckle crafted from matching bronze secures firmly to the wrist. For more information on the new Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition watch you can call our sales team today on 01335 453453 or email us at [email protected]
