ReviewThe Oris Coulson Limited Edition: For The True Heroes Of Modern Aviation

“When you’re a brand that stands for sustainability, like we do, it’s difficult to find a way to cater to an audience of aviation watches, which are a very traditional and important part of Swiss watchmaking,” muses Rolf Studer, CEO of Oris. “Flying and planes don’t really make sense in a sustainable context.” And hence the brand have, over the last few years, searched for ways to stay tied to the world of aviation, but in more meaningful ways than simply the passion of flying or maintaining links to the strong professional genre of watches. “When we look at the genre, we think of aviation that has a purpose. For example, there’s the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia, Air-Rescue Rega in Switzerland, Wings of Hope in the US, Okavango Air Rescue in Africa…” lists Studer, referring to various flying organisations whose work includes rescuing people in trouble in remote areas, with air-lifting, medical services, and so on. Oris have, in the past, created watches in collaboration with these organisations. “These are organisations that fly around not simply for transport or pleasure, but to help people, and make change for the better. And now we’ve partnered with a new purpose of aviation—tackling wildfires,” Studer adds, as he introduces the Coulson Limited Edition timepiece. Based on the template of Oris’s Big Crown ProPilot series, this new watch is in collaboration with Coulson Aircrane Ltd—a private company, based in Canada, whose operations haves included helicopter logging, forest fire suppression and power-line construction.

Inspired By The Fight Against Devastating Wildfires

Founded initially in 1960 as a logging company by one Cliff Coulson, the organisation eventually diversified into other areas—most notably, aerial firefighting. Today, led by Coulson’s son Wayne and his sons Britton and Foster, the company’s proprietary technology and innovative methods extend relief in time-sensitive situations, especially wildfires, which have become far more common in recent years. “Climate change has made the world hotter and in some places drier. When you put higher temperatures and lower humidity together, you get wildfires, explains Britton Coulson. “The impact of these fires on the environment, on wildlife and of course on people’s lives is often impossible to calculate. And we’re starting to see fires in parts of the world where they’ve never been a problem before.” Sometimes these fires have other causes. “It can be lightning strikes, but we know that human negligence is very often the cause,” offers Foster Coulson. “In the Los Angeles Basin, more than 90 percent of fires are started by people or events such as electrical malfunctions. Millions of acres are destroyed each year.” With a 450-person-strong establishment, the Coulsons are able to send aerial firefighters to wildfire sites across the globe, 24/7. “We’re the only aerial firefighting company operating both fixed-wing aircraft and Type 1 helicopters,” Britton says, informing that their fleet includes helitankers and custom-converted aircraft.

“Climate change has made the world hotter and in some places drier. When you put higher temperatures and lower humidity together, you get wildfires, explains Britton Coulson

“The impact of these fires on the environment, on wildlife and of course on people’s lives is often impossible to calculate. And we’re starting to see fires in parts of the world where they’ve never been a problem before.”

With a 450-person-strong establishment, the Coulsons are able to send aerial firefighters to wildfire sites across the globe, 24/7

“We’re the only aerial firefighting company operating both fixed-wing aircraft and Type 1 helicopters,” Britton (seen here) says, informing that their fleet includes helitankers and custom-converted aircraft

01

The Gorgeous Fire Gradient Of The Dial

“These [Coulson] pilots are the true heroes of modern aviation,” Studer applauds. “They need to have a lot of skills to do what they do. You need to tank these planes. You need to go to the water, and then into the fires. There is heat, a lot of turbulence in the air because of the temperatures. It’s very challenging, and they are not appreciated enough. That’s why we’ve made this watch for them.” The Coulson Limited Edition—like so many of Oris’s special editions—maintains a theme of firefighting and aviation in various elements, without making it scream of the association with Coulson. It’s what makes such editions special, but extremely wearable in any situation.

The Coulson Limited Edition maintains a theme of firefighting and aviation in various elements, without making it scream of the association with Coulson, making it extremely wearable

₹4,60,000

Check Our Selling Price

“If you look at the dial, you’ll see the idea behind it,” Studer says, referring to the gradient in fiery hues—a direct reference to fire

₹4,60,000

Check Our Selling Price

Then there’s the case, which is made from carbon fibre. Studer points out that even that is a connection to fire, as carbon is a by-product of fire and burning

₹4,60,000

Check Our Selling Price

While the fire inspiration is very obvious, it’s also a gorgeous-looking dial, which is different from anything that not only Oris have done before, but even others

₹4,60,000

Check Our Selling Price

01

“If you look at the dial, you’ll see the idea behind it,” Studer says, referring to the gradient in fiery hues—a direct reference to fire. While it is very obvious, it’s also a gorgeous-looking dial, which is different from anything that not only Oris have done before, but even others.

A Case In Carbon—A Product Of Fire

Then there’s the case, which is made from carbon fibre. Studer points out that even that is a connection to fire, as carbon is a by-product of fire and burning. “The case is very technical. It’s a new process—three-dimensional carbon fibre printing,” Studer goes on to detail. “And we can influence the position of the carbon fibres with this 3D printing. This way, you really can make a watch case that offers all the qualities of carbon fibre—stiffness and lightness in weight.” The more conventional method of carving a case from a carbon fibre block, he explains, will take away a lot of the material’s qualities. “You break the fibre and lose some of its stiffness,” he says, referring to the completely compact and sturdy nature of carbon fibre that makes it very durable and scratch-resistant even, despite being so light in weight.

“The case is very technical. It’s a new process—three-dimensional carbon fibre printing,” Studer goes on to detail. “And we can influence the position of the carbon fibres with this 3D printing”

“This way, you really can make a watch case that offers all the qualities of carbon fibre—stiffness and lightness in weight”

The Heat-Resistant Strap And Seatbelt-Inspired Clasp

Studer goes on to talk about the strap on the 41mm watch. “The watch is complemented by a strap that is made from heat-resistant fibre that is used for the suits of Coulson’s pilots,” he elucidates. “The strap’s clasp is inspired by a plane seatbelt clasp, and it’s seamlessly adjustable too.”

“What you see through the caseback is calibre 400,” Studer informs, mentioning the Oris in-house automatic movement that offers a five-hour power reserve, and advanced anti-magnetism for enhanced accuracy

“The watch is complemented by a strap that is made from heat-resistant fibre that is used for the suits of Coulson’s pilots,” he elucidates. “The strap’s clasp is inspired by a plane seatbelt clasp”

The Five-Day Automatic Calibre 400

“And what you see through the caseback is calibre 400,” Studer informs, mentioning the Oris in-house automatic movement that offers a five-day power reserve, and advanced anti-magnetism for enhanced accuracy. The time-and-date movement is so sound in execution that it also ensures longevity, which the brand stand behind, offering a 10-year warranty, and recommending servicing intervals of the same duration. Housing this movement, this special edition is the latest in a line of ProPilot watches that run on calibre 400. While it stands apart from other ProPilots, the silhouette and design are very much in line with the aviation-watch staples of the larger collection, including big Arabic numerals and a big crown.

The gorgous gradient dial presents three-hand timekeeping and the date see at six o'clock

The Arabic-numeral markers and indexes and the hour and minute hands are adequately coated with Super-LumiNova for legibility even in the dark

For The Heroes Of Modern Aviation

The aviation connection certainly made for a fantastic partnership between Oris and Coulson. “Given our shared passions and values, as well as Oris’s aviation links, it just made sense,” expresses Britton. “It’s a real honour to be working with Oris, and with their help, we can start to mitigate against some of the wildfire damage that happens every year.” Foster seconds his brother’s sentiments, by talking about this watch that their pilots will now be wearing. “We love the watch, not just because it looks great and tells the story of wildfires, but also because that carbon case is so innovative—one of our core values,” he says. “Our pilots will be wearing it and I know it’ll give them confidence. In our business, it’s not just about being on time, it’s about being in time.” And that’s most certainly admirable to say the least. Like Studer said, these people really are the true heroes of modern aviation. We couldn’t agree more.

A short film about the modern heroes of aviation, the Coulson Aviation firefighters, who Oris celebrate with the Coulson Limited Edition aviation watch: