With multiple health, civil and environmental issues plaguing the world today, the question could be asked if Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives are truly effective enough to make an impact on these issues at hand. Oris is here to prove that these efforts matter, and as a result, produce limited pieces that gradually make the world a better place. Crossing international borders and oceans alike, Oris continues its mission of Change for the Better – one which has brought it to the shores of Australia and Florida to restore coral reefs, and has contributed to the efforts of eradicating plastic from the oceans – efforts that benefit marine life and ecosystems on a global scale. To paraphrase an ancient Greek proverb: ‘Societies grow to be great when people plant trees under whose shade they will never sit’ – this could not be more true when speaking of the latest effort from Oris to benefit the Billion Oyster Project, leading to the New York Harbor Limited Edition.
The Billion Oyster Project is, like its name suggests, an initiative aimed at introducing one billion oysters into the New York Harbour by 2035. Historically, the harbour was home to 220,000 acres of oyster reefs. As quickly as New York became the urbanised metropolis over the last 200 years, shipping and dumping of industrial waste destroyed much of these oyster reefs that were crucial to the local ecosystem – oysters provided food for marine life, filtered water, and their reefs protected the shores from erosion by the waves and storms.
In the last 50 years, there has been marked improvement since the introduction of the Clean Water Act by the New York State Government, but there is still work to be done to clean up the damage done by generations past. Created in 2014, the Billion Oyster project aims to restore these crucial oyster reefs, and according to co-founder, Pete Malinowski, the project is on track to settling it’s 100 millionth oyster in 2022. In solidarity with the Billion Oyster Project, Oris created the New York Harbor Limited Edition to help back and fund the work that needs to be done in cultivating, installing and maintaining the restoration sites across the harbour.
The New York Harbor Limited Edition is based on the famous Aquis diver’s watch, in keeping with the aquatic theme of the Billion Oyster Project. Its all-steel construction extends to its 41.5mm case and its unidirectional bezel, giving it a very monochromatic appearance. Setting it apart from many of its other Oris Aquis brethren is its dial which is crafted from green mother of pearl, giving it a verdant iridescent sheen. The dial design is typical of the Aquis diver’s watches, featuring hands and hour markers filled with Super-Luminova, as well as the date at 6 o’clock. Naturally, the watch features a screw-in crown that helps to guarantee its 300m water resistance rating.
Turning the watch over, we find a solid caseback, with a relief engraving of three oysters representing the Billion Oyster Project, and its goal of repopulating the New York Harbour. The watch is delivered with a green rubber strap to match the dial, a stainless steel bracelet and a strap changing tool. Powering the New York Harbor Limited Edition is an Oris 733 movement – a movement based on the tried and true Sellita SW200 featuring automatic winding and a power reserve of 38 hours.
Limited to 2000 pieces worldwide, Oris continues its mission of Change for the Better through this new model. Through this model is it clear that Oris is on a pursuit to change the world through its watchmaking, by highlighting crucial local environmental issues and bringing them to new audiences that can do good through their conscious purchase of a fine watch that supports a cause.
Though the climate crisis is far from over, we know that our favourite brands, including Oris, have the environment in mind when creating its latest collaboration piece, creating a fine divers watch that truly gives back to its customers.
Tech Specs
Case: Multi-piece stainless steel case, uni- directional rotating bezel, stainless steel bezel with minutes scale in relief
Size: 41.5mm
Dial: Green, mother-of-pearl
Luminous material: Hands and indices with Super-LumiNova®
Top glass: Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
Case back: Stainless steel, screwed, special engravings
Operating devices: Stainless steel screw-in security crown
Strap: Green rubber strap, supplied with additional multi-piece stainless steel metal bracelet with folding clasp with extension, and strap changing tool
Water resistance: 30 bar (300 m)
Movement: Oris 733
Functions: Hours, minutes and central sweep seconds hands, date with quick setting, stop second device, date window at 6 o’clock Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 38 hours
Limited edition: 2,000 numbered pieces, special presentation box
Swiss retail price: CHF 2,400
Available June 2022