In recent times, Oris’ mission of Change for the Better has seen them partnering up with organisations to help with social and environmental causes, including Movember for prostate cancer, and the Billion Oyster Project to help clean the New York Harbour. It seems that providing social change through watchmaking has been a clear goal of Oris, and its newest mission aims to help those who desperately need it. To loosely quote the Talmud – “whoever saves one life saves the world entire” – and this can certainly be said of Oris and their latest collaborator, Wings of Hope.
Much like services like the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Wings of Hope is an organisation based in the US that provides medical support in vulnerable and remote communities through the power of flight. Having supported patients in over 50 countries, the organisation has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice since its inception in 1963. Generous donors ensure an operating budget of $3.2 million per year, and include luminaries such as Elizabeth Dole, Harrison Ford and Kurt Russell as members on its honorary board. The Wings of Hope watch that Oris has created will shed more light on an organisation that has largely remained unknown, and aims to support the organisation to build more relationships in more countries to further the work they do in supporting communities with medical aid.
The Oris Wings of Hope Limited Edition is based on the iconic Big Crown series that has its roots in 1938 for pilots – its distinctive crown designed for use with gloves on.
First to be released to celebrate the organisation is the 18k yellow gold version that is limited to 100 pieces worldwide. Its 38mm case makes it a universally wearable watch, and its off-white dial is accentuated by the yellow metal case. Further bringing out its warmth is the custard-coloured SuperLuminova for the Arabic numerals, a shade that is befitting of a watch that has its origins in the late 30s. Completing its vintage aesthetic is the sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock, that has its track pad-printed in blue, and a red seconds hand. The watch is delivered on a sustainable deer leather strap with quick change spring bars, on a gold pin buckle. The watch is available now, however its limited quantity will make it scarce and hard to find for those hunting a quality watch that does good for the world.
The second piece in this collaboration is a model in a stainless steel case, measuring in at 40mm, and limited to 1000 pieces worldwide. It sports a similar off-white coloured dial as its precious metal sibling, however the white-metal case gives it a more silver tone to its colour. The Arabic numerals are in a light green SuperLuminova that add to its vintage appeal – looking like a watch that was produced in the mid-20th Century, as if it was made during the inception of Wings of Hope. Further bringing colour to the dial is the sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock with a seconds track in blue, and a red seconds hand. The steel version is also delivered on sustainable deer leather straps, and is equipped with quick-change spring bars and a stainless steel fastening system. This watch will be released in October 2022, making it a more accessible way to do good through watchmaking.
Powering both watches, and visible through a sapphire glass caseback is the Calibre 401 – a movement that we have covered before on ISOCHRONO, and one that we are absolute fans of. With a power reserve of 5 days, anti-magnetic protection, and automatically wound, the watch also boasts a 10 year warranty – an industry leading warranty period that signifies the confidence that Oris has in its latest in-house manufacture calibre. Interestingly, Oris has stipulated a 10 year service interval for this movement, which gives extra peace of mind for the wearer, that they own something that is virtually bulletproof in the world of watch movements.
Oris’ mission of Change for the Better is really hitting its strides – especially in the last few years. It is one thing to pledge funds through the sale of a particular watch, but it is another to make it a viable part of your brand identity. The Wings of Hope watches are another significant addition to this mission, not only shedding light on an organisation that was relatively unknown, but provides significant human impact with its purpose. It is a great endeavour to undertake unearthing these organisations, however, we believe that Oris is firmly on the right track to do good through watchmaking, and bring positive change to the world.
Tech Specs
Movement
Number Oris Calibre 401
Functions Centre hands for hours and minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, fine timing device and stop-second
Accuracy -3/+5 seconds a day (within COSC tolerances)
Extra features Highly anti-magnetic
Winding Automatic
Power reserve 120 hours
Warranty Extended to 10 years with MyOris sign-up. Applies to watch and movement. 10-year recommended service intervals
Wings of Hope – Stainless Steel Limited Edition
Case Multi-piece stainless steel case, stainless steel bezel
Size 40.00 mm (1.575 inches)
Dial Off-white
Luminous material Hands and indices with Super-LumiNova®
Top glass Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
Case back Stainless steel, screwed, see- through sapphire glass
Operating devices Stainless steel screw-in security crown
Strap Brown Cervo Volante deer leather with quick strap change system
Water resistance 5 bar
Limited edition 1,000 numbered pieces, special presentation box
Wings of Hope – 18k Yellow Gold Limited Edition
Case Multi-piece 18-carat yellow gold case, 18-carat yellow gold bezel
Size 38.00 mm (1.496 inches)
Dial Off-white
Luminous material Hands and indices with Super-LumiNova®
Top glass Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
Case back 18-carat yellow gold, screwed, see-through sapphire glass
Operating devices 18-carat yellow gold screw-in security crown
Strap Brown Cervo Volante deer leather with quick strap change system and 18-carat yellow gold clasp
Water resistance 5 bar
Limited edition 100 numbered pieces, special cherry wood presentation box