ReviewIn-Depth Review: Oris Audi Sport Limited Edition I & II (Audi Silver & Audi Black)
With just 2000 pieces for the world, the Oris Audi Limited Editions bring forth the perfect partnership between watchmaking and motorsports.
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When Oris and Audi announced their partnership back in 2013, we were very excited. After all, motorsport and fine watchmaking are a match made in heaven! Numerous times, this combination has paved the way for the introduction of racing-themed masterpieces. From the TAG Heuer Formula 1 to the Baume & Mercier Clifton Club Shelby Cobra (read about it here), we have seen a multitude of partnerships take form and develop a cult following. Likewise, when Oris and Audi came together, the watch world waited with baited breath for the birth of their new collection – the Oris Audi Sport Limited Edition.
Today, we are going to take a look at the first two Audi Sport Limited Edition watches: the Oris Audi Sport Limited Edition I (silver-toned, ref no. 01 774 7661 7481-SET) and the Oris Audi Sport Limited Edition II (black DLC coated, ref no. 01 778 7661 7784-Set LS) models. But before we get into the watches, let us first talk a little about the partnership that Oris and Audi share.
Oris and Audi: A Formidable Partnership
Oris is no stranger to the partnership between watches and motor sporting. It has had a long history with car racing. From the Formula 1 team Williams to the endorsement of the F1 driver Allan McNish, Oris is a watch brand that has time and again been making appearances at the biggest racing event, the Formula 1. The partnership with Audi allowed the brand to unlock its entry into the 24 hours of Le Mans 13 racing event. It is the oldest sports car race in endurance racing and is often called the “Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency”.
Speaking of endurance, there could not have been a better partner for Oris than the highly regarded car brand, Audi. Furthermore, the watch brand clearly resonates with the theme of the Le Mans which is teamwork and endurance. Oris ambassadors and Audi Sport team-mates, Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer, are often seen sporting the Oris Audi Sport Limited Edition on and off the tracks.
“You always try to get some rest when you are not driving the car, but the adrenaline is so intense that I find it hard to really sleep.” – Marcel Fässler, Audi Sport driver.
About the two watches: Audi Silver & Black
As mentioned by Fässler above, the intensity of the race requires state-of-the-art tools to ensure success. Keeping this in mind, the collection of watches developed by Oris definitely adheres to withstanding immense pressure and long-standing endurance. While both the watches house similar features (case size and function), each has a unique tone which I will be explaining in detail below. To make it simple and easy to understand, let’s call the silver toned (ref no. 01 774 7661 7481-SET) and the black DLC coated (01 778 7661 7784-Set LS) models Audi Silver and Audi Black, respectively.
44mm Multi-piece titanium case in silver tone and black DLC, bi-directional bezel and screwed-in caseback with 100m water resistance
Both, the Audi Silver and Audi Black watches have the same 44mm case size which is an appropriate size for a racing themed timepiece. The cases of both watches are made of multi-piece titanium making the watch very light on the wrist (despite the size). The black DLC plated titanium case of the Audi Black gives a bold look, unlike the silver-toned edition. The Audi Silver features a Tungsten minutes scale top ring while the black DLC plated case of the Audi Black houses a ceramic minutes scale top ring. The wonderful finish and appealing mixture of materials definitely make both the watches stand out.
Both watches feature a screwed-in caseback with a water resistance of 10 bars or 100m. However, the Audi Silver houses a see-through caseback while the Audi Black features a closed caseback decorated with the Audi Sport logo and a silhouette of the Audi R18 racing car.
On the side of the case, the presence of stainless steel screw-in security pushers (black DLC plated pushers and crown for the Audi Black) allows ease of use while operating the chronograph function of both watches.
Applied hour markers filled with SuperLumiNova, date and day-date display window and chronograph sub-dials
With a case diameter of 44mm, it comes as no wonder that both the watches feature large dials with enough space to house multiple sub-dials and a date window. The Audi Silver is one of the very few watches that has a very legible silver dial. Additionally, the presence of a narrow bi-directional bezel also facilitates the dial’s high legibility. As mentioned before, the bezel of both the watches features a timer scale, while a tachymeter scale is present on the inner flange. Despite the thin frame of the bezel, you will find no trouble in turning it. This is thanks to the rubber insert that provides enough grip to turn the bezel with little to no effort. An innovative addition, don’t you think?
Both the silver and black dials house prominent applied markers with appropriately sized hands that are filled with Super-LumiNova for the highest ratio of legibility. They also feature the unique branding of the partnership between Oris and Audi, albeit at different positions (3 o’clock on the silver dial and 6 o’clock on the black). The linear retrograde seconds function at 9 o’clock is a subtle nod to the exclusive Oris Artix style that we have grown accustomed to.
Now let’s take a closer look at the dial of both the watches, individually.
Starting with the first edition of the partnership, the Audi Silver features a bi-compax chronograph layout that gives the overall dial a balanced and symmetrical feel. The burst of colour provided by the hands on the sub-dials, the chronograph seconds hand and the “Audi Sport” branding, is attractive and legible at a quick glance. Although, if I had to suggest a change, then Oris could very well have done without the date display window at 6 o’clock; it adds another element to an already busy dial. Plus, it could either easily pass off unnoticed and if you do notice it, its presence feels enforced.
Now, moving on to the Audi Black. This time, Oris did away with the bi-compax layout and introduced a chronograph watch with just one single sub-dial present on the dial (pretty impressive). The large counter at 12 o’clock is a minute counter with a clever countdown scale. The counterweight of the minute hand of the sub-dial is used for the countdown timer that is graduated from 10 to 0. What does this do? It helps race drivers anticipate and estimate the start of a race. If you are not a racer, don’t worry, you can use it as a countdown timer for anything and everything in the world. A simple yet cool addition!
Also, instead of featuring a complete red chronograph hand, the Audi Black represents a restrained use of the colour with only the tip of the hand in red. A welcome change is the appropriately placed day and date display window at 3 o’ clock (it’s as if they listened!).
Automatic chronograph movement, 25 jewels, beating at 28,800 vph or 4 Hz with signature red-painted motor
When it comes to the heart of the timepiece, both the Oris Audi Sport Limited Edition I and II (Audi Silver and Black) feature the Oris 778. It is an automatic winding chronograph that is based on the Sellita SW 500 movement. It is basically an ETA Valjoux 7750 clone which Oris proudly admits (kudos for that). Apart from the hours, minutes and seconds, the movement offers your basic chronograph functions (small seconds, hours and minutes) along with a date window, date corrector, fine timing device and a stop second.
Despite being a complete “work-horse day-date chronograph”, the movement clocks in a power reserve of almost 48 hours which allows the wearer to use the watch for two days straight without taking a break. The movement has 25 jewels (that reduces friction) and beats at 28,800 vph or 4 Hz, thereby offering immaculate precision. Also, it carries the signature red-painted automatic rotor which can be seen via the see-through caseback of the Audi Silver.
Available in black perforated leather strap with titanium folding clasp
For a racing inspired timepiece, it makes perfect sense for the watch to be presented on a leather strap, and so both the Audi Sports keep it logical with their racing style black perforated leather straps.
The 22mm leather strap is equipped with a titanium and DLC plated black titanium folding clasp for the Audi Silver and Audi Black, respectively. The folding clasp system has definitely gained immense popularity over the buckles due to the flawless fit it provides on the wrist. Furthermore, it also allows the watch (despite its size) to sit comfortably on the wrist. Keeping in mind that the Oris Audi Sport Limited Edition is a one-of-a-kind timepiece with just 2000 pieces available worldwide, each watch of the collection comes in a specially packaged box with a booklet that doubles as a certificate of authenticity.
An affordable timepiece: Offering much more than what you pay for
With only 2,000 pieces available of each, the Oris Audi Sport Limited Editions I ( Audi Silver) and II (Audi Black) are priced at ₹256,000 and ₹290,000, respectively. While this might be a slightly higher price that what you may have had in mind, but, the Audi Sport watches surely do give you a lot of bang for your buck. In terms of both design and functionality. A watch with similar features and functions from any of the other watchmaking power houses, would cost you a small fortune more!
The Oris Audi Sport Limited Editions I and II are exclusively available at Ethos Watch Boutiques.
What did you think of the watches? Is this your favourite motorsport inspired collection? Let us know in the comments section below.
