Whereas an rising variety of manufacturers all through the watch business have been partnering with environmental conservation initiatives over the course of the previous few years, few have made these efforts as central to their total model message as Oris. The impartial marque has made efforts across the globe with numerous environmental companions, notably specializing in marine and aquatic preservation efforts. 2020 has already seen Oris reunite with the Florida-based Coral Restoration Basis to assist defend america’ most necessary coral reef system, and for its newest launch the model has turned its conservation efforts eastward to South Korea. The Hangang River is the second longest and by far crucial waterway in South Korea, operating via the capital of Seoul and offering water to over 10 million folks.
Though the Hangang River gives an important useful resource each for the folks of Seoul and for the wealth of Korean wildlife, steady air pollution of the river for many years has jeopardized each the consuming water provide and the fragile ecosystem it helps. As a way to fight this risk, Oris has partnered with the Seoul Korean Federation for Environmental Actions (or KFEM) to help the group’s ongoing cleanup efforts. To commemorate this partnership, Oris has unveiled a novel restricted version Aquis celebrating the fantastic thing about the Hangang River. The Oris Aquis Hangang Restricted Version combines a pair of distinctive problems with an emerald inexperienced colorway evoking the pristine riverfront.
The 43.5mm chrome steel case of the Oris Aquis Hangang Restricted Version (ref. 01 743 7734 4187) should be a well-known sight to these acquainted with Oris’ flagship diver, whose unorthodox dimensions hold it distinct from most of its opponents. The hefty case diameter is considerably deceptive, because the Aquis’ trademark quick and slender lugs with a pronounced downturn assist the watch to wrap across the wrist remarkably properly. That stated, that is nonetheless a case with some noticeable visible heft, and the beefy crown guards mixed with the vertical case sides guarantee it is a design with commanding wrist presence. Like the usual Aquis, this new mannequin boasts a strong 300 meters of water resistance however units itself aside in two key areas. The primary of those is the unidirectional dive bezel. The Hangang Restricted Version introduces a particular ceramic insert to the standard design, rendered in a deep and muted hunter inexperienced that reads almost black underneath oblique mild. This extra reserved tone provides a contact of distinction with the extra saturated shades on the dial however maintains the inexperienced theme with out feeling overpowering. The opposite distinctive aspect is the caseback, the place Oris has added a deep etching displaying the course of the Hangang River from its supply within the Taebaek Mountains to its mouth on the Yellow Sea.
The place the Oris Aquis Hangang Restricted Version actually units itself aside from its stablemates is the dial remedy. The wealthy emerald inexperienced sunburst end is straight away arresting, and as inexperienced dials have emerged as one in all 2020’s nice watch traits this feels as recent because it does good-looking. The distinctive Aquis handset and brilliantly polished utilized indices are carried over right here from common manufacturing fashions, however the Hangang’s dial incorporates a pair of unorthodox problems. The distinctive cutout date ring cuts via the center of the dial floor, offering a snailed visible distinction to the encircling sunburst and displaying the date via a sequence of 31 particular person home windows. This works a bit like a pointer date in follow and has appeared on a handful of Aquis fashions earlier than this level. The opposite complication is the minimal 9 o’clock small seconds subdial. Small seconds on divers is usually a controversial proposition, because the shorter seconds hand could be tough to identify as a dependable operating indicator in precise underwater use. Whereas the execution right here is pared again, with markers at each 15 seconds and a double ended hand with a single lumed tip, the inclusion throws off an in any other case finely balanced visible weight throughout the dial. It’s a adore it or hate it aspect that nonetheless starkly units this aside from most different Aquis variants at a look.
Contained in the Oris Aquis Hangang Restricted Version beats the Sellita SW-220-1 based mostly Oris 743 motion. Additionally showing in the usual manufacturing Aquis Small Second, this reliable powerplant affords respectable, if unspectacular, efficiency statistics. Chief amongst these are a 38 hour energy reserve and a easy 28,800 bph beat price.
Oris pairs the Aquis Hangang Restricted Version with its semi built-in three hyperlink Aquis bracelet. With strong, rounded hyperlinks, a dive extension, and a pointy mixture of finely brushed and polished surfaces, this oyster model bracelet is a strong companion to the unorthodox Aquis case geometry. With that stated, that case geometry with its extraordinarily thick and narrow-set lugs has all the time made the Aquis a tough watch to supply aftermarket straps for, so the choices for visually branching out with the Hangang Restricted Version are considerably restricted.
With the Aquis Hangang Restricted Version, Oris continues to press ahead with its efforts to avoid wasting aquatic environments worldwide with a surprising new colour palette. Solely 2,000 examples of this restricted version mannequin will likely be made. The Oris Aquis Hangang Restricted Version is out there now via licensed sellers at an MSRP of $2,600. For extra data, please go to the model’s web site.
