ReviewThe Oris Aquis Hangang Limited Edition—In Partnership With The Korean Federation For Environmental Movements
Having made a mark as an environmentally conscious watchmaker, Oris continue to make a remarkable contribution towards conservation of water bodies, with the Hangang Limited Edition, which seeks to help protect the Hangang River that runs through Seoul, South Korea
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The watch industry in recent years has witnessed an increasing number of brands collaborating with environmental conservation initiatives. However, independent marque Oris is one of the leading brands to have made these efforts an integral part of their overall brand message. They have taken the horological world by storm with their marine and aquatic preservation efforts around the globe. As part of its ‘Change for the better’ campaign, Oris look eastward to South Korea for their latest launch. They aim to highlight the plight of the Hangang River, the second-longest and most vital river in South Korea as it supplies water to 10 million residents in Seoul. Oris have partnered with Seoul KFEM—part of the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements—the country’s largest environmental non-governmental organisation, to help clean the most important river for the region. A product of this association is the latest in Oris’ portfolio of limited edition watches for the environment—particularly water. From their diving collection, Aquis, we present: the Oris Hangang Limited Edition.
Helping Clean Up Seoul’s Source Of Life
Watch connoisseurs are abreast with Oris’ penchant for environmental conservation and their deep-rooted commitment to cleaning the world’s waterways. Over the years, the company have promoted awareness through partnerships with the Clean Water Project, Reef Restoration Foundation, Coral Restoration Foundation, and other non-profits. These efforts have mostly been complemented by their limited edition Aquis dive watches. This time around, Oris take us to the Hangang River in Seoul, South Korea—a vital resource for millions, as well as Korea’s wildlife.
Years of continuous pollution have not only jeopardised the drinking water supply, but also taken a toll on the delicate ecosystem that the river supports. By joining forces with Seoul KFEM, Oris are lending support to the clean-up days that the organisation has scheduled throughout the year. This planned activity will see hundreds of local volunteers coming to collect garbage—plastic and other harmful pollutants—from the shores. As a non-profit organisation, Seoul KFEM gets a major boost in terms of donations as well as awareness from partnerships, and part of the sales of the new Oris Hangang Limited Edition will help fund these clean-up initiatives. Thanks to the Oris’ global reach as a brand, this initiative is also expected to raise critical awareness of ongoing volunteer activity in the city.
Sporting distinctive features along with a green colourway that is reminiscent of the riverfront, this unique limited edition Aquis not only commemorates the partnership but also celebrates the beauty of the Hangang River.
The Hangang On The Caseback
While the watch does stand for a noble cause, its representation is quite subtle, as it steers clear of the dial and only makes a prominent presence on the reverse of the watch. The caseback sports this unique touch—the course of the Hangang River embossed in steel, starting from its source in the Taebaek Mountains to its mouth at the Yellow Sea. Besides the river, you can also find the name of the river in the Hangul (Korean) alphabet, on the caseback that also features the serial number, unique on each watch from this limited edition of 2,000.
An Aquis With A Few Fresh Twists
If you are familiar with Oris’ flagship diver’s watch, the 316L stainless steel case with an unconventional diameter of 43.5mm will surely strike a chord with you. Don’t be misled by the hefty case diameter, as Aquis’ trademark short and narrow lugs, coupled with a prominent downturn, ensure that the watch sits snugly on your wrist. Its commanding presence is reinforced by the beefy crown guards and the vertical case sides. The signed, screw-down crown flaunts a wide knurled pattern and is partially guarded by extensions in the case. It boasts the same 300m water resistance that the Aquis promises, but what primarily sets it apart is the unidirectional-rotating dive bezel. It comes fitted with a ceramic insert, rendered in a deep shade of green that almost looks blackish under indirect light. It features diver’s bezel staples—a demarcated 15-minute scale and Arabic numerals engraved for every 10 minutes on the 60-minute timer, in addition to the 12 o’clock triangular marker.
A Stunning Green Dial With Offbeat Elements
The shimmering gradient dial in rich green with a sunburst finish immediately captures one’s attention, doing absolute justice to the trend of green dials that has caught the fancy of many a watch enthusiast. In this case, the dial colour coupled with the ceramic bezel insert are evocative of the vivid hues of creek waters at the Hangang’s source. The exposed orbital date display indicates the date via a marker on a disc beneath it. The circular date adds a layer of depth, thus enriching the overall aesthetics. The minimal small seconds sub-dial positioned at nine o’clock employs a double-ended seconds hand, and is nestled within the orbital date. The bold applied hour indices mark five minutes along a simple outer track, while the Super-LumiNova inserts on the hours and minute hands, as well as the indices ensure impeccable readability. The visual flair of the dial can be enjoyed through the sapphire crystal glass, domed on both sides and with an anti-reflective coating on the inside.
The Reliable Self-Winding Movement
At the heart of this timepiece is Oris’ calibre 743, which is based on the Selitta SW 220-1. This automatic movement includes 28 jewels, vibrates at a frequency of 28,800vph and promises a 38-hour power reserve. The otherwise undecorated movement is accompanied by the signature red Oris rotor, although it’s hidden behind the steel caseback.
A Modern Diver’s Watch
The watch is worn on a semi-integrated, bracelet. The contemporary three-link Aquis bracelet perfectly complements the avant-garde case geometry. Equipped with solid, rounded links, a dive extension, the stainless steel bracelet exudes refinement owing to the nuance in its finishing—a mix of finely brushed and polished surfaces.
In addition to a brilliant green dial that exudes richness, the Oris Hangang Limited Edition also promises sheer functionality, especially with its unobtrusive date display. With this timepiece that is limited to only 2,000 pieces, Oris have taken yet another noble initiative to save aquatic environments. The colour palette is surely a welcome departure from most of the recent pieces from the Aquis collection, and is sure to take watch collectors by delight.
Find out how some other watch brands are working towards tackling water pollution—click here
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