Prepare to dive into a world of watchmaking excellence and environmental advocacy! The Oris Aquis Date Yangtze Jiangtun Limited Edition is more than just a timepiece; it's a powerful statement of Oris' commitment to aquatic conservation.
In 2011, the Oris Aquis Date collection made waves (pun intended!) by offering a modern take on dive watches. Designed with both professional divers and everyday adventurers in mind, the Aquis Date boasts impressive diving capabilities and a robust build. It represents Oris' contemporary, technical side, setting it apart from their vintage-inspired Divers Sixty-Five line.
Over the years, Oris has continually refined the Aquis Date, and the latest edition is a collaboration with the Chinese Changjiang Conservation Foundation (CCF). This partnership aims to support the conservation of the endangered Yangtze finless porpoise, an iconic species uniquely adapted to the Yangtze River system.
But here's where it gets controversial: the Yangtze finless porpoise, or jiangtun, is facing an uncertain future. With only an estimated 1,012 individuals left, following the extinction of the Baiji dolphin, the WWF has listed this species as "critically endangered." Overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, and shipping threats have all contributed to their decline.
Enter Oris and their "Change for the Better" program. Through various special editions, Oris has dedicated itself to marine and coral preservation, harbor restoration, and even the removal of plastic from our oceans. They've even utilized upcycled PET plastics in their designs, showcasing their earnest dedication to environmental causes.
Working with the CCF, Oris has helped increase the population of Yangtze finless porpoises to 1,249. This was achieved, in part, by involving fishermen in river patrols. As a result of this partnership, Oris will donate eight watches to the CCF, which will auction them off on March 21st, using the proceeds to further protect these fascinating creatures.
The model chosen for this collaboration is the 300m water-resistant Aquis Date 43.5mm. Its special details pay homage to the finless porpoise's habitat. The dial, crafted from mother-of-pearl, is an apt choice. This natural material, found inside certain mollusc shells, has an iridescent sheen that beautifully captures and reflects light, much like the surface of the Yangtze River. Despite being delicate, Oris has printed a wave pattern on the dial, representing the sound waves of the porpoise's ultrasonic clicks used for echolocation and social interactions.
On the back, an engraving of a Yangtze finless porpoise swimming in a wavy stream greets you with its captivating smile. The number 1,249 holds significance, representing both the current population of porpoises and the number of Aquis Date models produced in their honor. Recently updated with ergonomic improvements, including shorter lugs and a slimmer case profile, the Aquis Date Yangtze Jiangtun also features a dark grey tungsten insert on its unidirectional rotating bezel, replacing the previous ceramic insert.
In line with the latest design tweaks, the shield-shaped hour markers and Alpha hands now have sharper outlines, and a new typeface is used for the dial inscriptions. However, one detail that hasn't been updated is the white background of the date window.
As a trusted diving companion, the Aquis Date Yangtze Jiangtun boasts a screw-down crown with tapered guards and a screw-down caseback, protecting the automatic Oris calibre 733 movement. With a 4Hz frequency, 41-hour power reserve, and hacking seconds, this watch is a reliable and precise timekeeper. Limited to just 1,249 pieces, the Aquis Date Yangtze Jiangtun retails for CHF 2,550, and you can find more details at oris.ch.
So, what do you think? Is this watch a stylish way to support environmental causes, or is it just a clever marketing strategy? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
