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ReviewIn-depth Review Of The Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition

Limited to 2,000 pieces worldwide, Oris's first bronze watch is dedicated to the inspiring life of Carl Brashear - the U.S. Navy’s first African American Master Diver.

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It’s not a sin to get knocked down, it’s a sin to stay down – Carl Brashear

This is the quote you find inscribed on the caseback of the Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition Divers watch. A true masterpiece, the Oris Carl Brashear brings forth the remarkable story of Carl Brashear, the first African-American Master Diver of the U.S. Navy. A rare bronze diver’s watch, it is a part of the legendary Oris Divers Sixty-Five collection. Dedicated to a man of courage, dignity and integrity, the vintage looking timepiece truly represents the extraordinary story of Mr. Brashear and his incredible diving career.

Here is an in-depth review of the remarkable watch and what it represents.

Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition Watches
A rare bronze divers watch, the Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition is part of the legendary Oris Divers Sixty-Five collection.
Oris Carl Brashear timepiece
The Oris Carl Brashear timepiece is a versatile watch with the option to interchange the strap of the watch with much ease and comfort.

The Carl Brashear story: The man behind the watch

The story of Carl Brashear is that of courage, defiance and hard-won achievement. At the young age of 17, Brashear joined the Navy in the year 1948. He graduated from the prestigious diving program in 1956, despite being picked on several times for being different. In the coming years, Carl Brashear went on to prove his mettle in the field of diving and accomplished becoming the first African-American Master Diver of the U.S. Navy.

However, in 1966 while recovering a hydrogen bomb that was lost off the coast of Spain, there was a tragic accident because of which he lost his leg. Undeterred, he still pursued his career in the U.S. Navy with a long and inspiring story of recovery and rehabilitation. Following his “it’s not a sin to get knocked down, it’s a sin to stay down” motto, he quickly regained his strength and went on to get re-certified as a Naval diver in 1968.

He was also the Navy’s first amputee diver who went on to receive the honour of Master Diver in 1970. His incredible story is masterfully epitomised in the highly acclaimed movie “Men of Honor” starring Cuba Gooding Jr and Robert De Niro.

The story of Carl Brashear
The story of Carl Brashear is that of courage, defiance and hard-won achievement.

Oris takes on the metal du jour with a bronze watch

The Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition Divers is a unique piece that incorporates the watch industry’s inclination towards bronze watches. We know that bronze as a material for watches has definitely taken the front seat and become increasingly popular in recent times. However, it has always been the go-to material for developing marine applications. Why? The copper present in bronze forms a patina that protects the underlying metal from corrosion, hence resulting in a long lasting use of marine applications.

Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition Divers
The Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition Divers is a unique piece that incorporates the watch industry’s inclination towards bronze watches.
Oris Unidirectional Rotating Bronze Bezel
The 42mm multi-piece bronze case (bumped up in size from the 40mm Divers Sixty-Five) features a unidirectional rotating bronze bezel with a minute scale, and is water-resistant to 10 bars.

However, the purpose of using bronze in a watch is a little different. Firstly, the patina (that forms naturally with time) creates a unique look that is different from watches made of other materials. Secondly, and perhaps more significantly, each patina has a unique appearance, implying that your watch will be distinctly different from another Oris Carl Brashear belonging to a different owner. With this in mind, one can easily see that the watch is a handsomely crafted masterpiece that has a fantastic story behind it, and it’s also a definite forerunner in the fast growing segment of bronze watches.

Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition
A definite forerunner in the fast growing segment of bronze watches, the Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition is a handsomely crafted masterpiece with a fantastic story behind it.

Case: A 42mm bronze case, unidirectional rotating bezel and stainless steel caseback with significant engravings

The Oris Carl Brashear is not rendered in bronze solely for aesthetic purposes; like we said, the watch has powerful symbolism behind it. The use of bronze actually symbolises the diving helmet worn by Brashear on his momentous dives. While the fast ageing property of the 42mm bronze case is a welcome feature, Oris also takes into consideration the fact that the patina, when in direct contact with the wearer’s skin, can discolour or stain the wrist (and cuff). Hence to avoid this, Oris has given the watch a stainless steel caseback instead of a bronze one.

Oris Carl Brashear actually symbolises the diving helmet worn by Brashear
The use of bronze on the Oris Carl Brashear actually symbolises the diving helmet worn by Brashear on his momentous dives.
Oris Watch
Oris takes into consideration the fact that the patina, when in direct contact with the wearer’s skin, can discolour or stain the wrist (and cuff). Hence to avoid this, Oris has given the watch a stainless steel caseback instead of a bronze one.

This allows the watch to retain its classic bronze appeal while still managing to be practically useful. The screwed-in case back features special engravings that represent the Carl Brashear commemoration. As mentioned above, it houses an inscription of Carl Brashear’s motto along with an engraving of his helmet, both beautifully executed. The 42mm multi-piece bronze case (bumped up in size from the 40mm Divers Sixty-Five) features a unidirectional rotating bronze bezel with a minute scale, and is water-resistant to 10 bars.

Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition
Oris takes into consideration the fact that the patina, when in direct contact with wearer’s skin, can discolour or stain the wrist (and cuff). Hence to avoid this, the watch has been given a stainless steel caseback instead of a bronze one.
Oris Watch with screw-down crown on the side
The multi-piece bronze case features a fluted, screw-down crown on the side with the name of the brand “Oris” engraved on it.

Dial: Ink blue with gold-plated applied dot indices, date aperture and curved sapphire crystal

The aesthetics of the watch have been rendered in perfect harmony, and the result is an abundantly handsome piece. The peculiar warm tone of the bronze works in perfect accordance with the ink blue dial. Furthermore, the gold plated applied markers and hands are just the right tone to complement the bronze and the ink blue. The bubble-curved sapphire crystal lends the dial a distinctly curved appearance while providing subtle magnification. The gold plated markers and hands are filled with SuperLuminova, giving way to great legibility. The proportions of the watch look perfect, aided by a long minute hand and symmetrical date position at six.

Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition
The peculiar warm tone of the bronze works in perfect accordance with the ink blue dial. Furthermore, the gold plated applied markers and hands are just the right tone to complement the bronze and the ink blue. The bubble-curved sapphire crystal lends the dial a distinctly curved appearance while providing subtle magnification.
Oris Carl Brashear
The proportions of the Oris Carl Brashear look perfect, aided by a long minute hand and symmetrical date position at six.

Movement: Calibre 733, a Sellita based movement, 38-hour power reserve

The Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition, like the Divers Sixty-Five, is powered by an automatic mechanical movement: Calibre 733. This movement is based on the Sellita SW200-1 that offers functions including instantaneous date, a date corrector and a stop-second. It also features the signature Oris bi-directionally rotating red rotor which is however not visible due to the fully-covered caseback. The watch clocks in a power reserve of 38 hours.

Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition Diver Back
The Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition Diver, like the Divers Sixty-Five, is powered by an automatic mechanical movement: Calibre 733.
Carl Brashear's motto for life along with an engraving on helmet
The screwed-in, stainless steel case back features an inscription of Carl Brashear’s motto for life along with an engraving of his helmet. Beautifully executed.

Strap Options:

The Oris Carl Brashear is available with a dark brown leather strap that enhances the warm tone of the watch. Fitted with a bronze buckle, the strap is elegantly designed with contrast stitching.

Oris Carl Brashear Options
The dark brown leather strap with contrast stitching, perfectly complements the warm tones of the bronze case and ink blue dial.
Oris Carl Brashear
The Oris Carl Brashear has a massive aesthetic appeal, leaning towards vintage classic. The watch works especially well with a formal wardrobe.

The watch is presented in a luxurious wooden box decorated with the US Navy Master Diver badge on the inside. This is a special addition that brings home the entire concept of the limited edition piece. It is a gentle reminder of what the watch represents and how valuable it is.

Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition watch
The Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition watch is available in a luxurious wooden box decorated with the US Navy Master Diver badge on the inside (as seen above).

Prices & Availability:

The Oris Carl Brashear is limited to 2,000 pieces worldwide and is priced at Rs 205,000. For a watch that’s become a worldwide sensation and an investment that collectors aren’t regretting, the price-tag it comes with isn’t one that will hurt. The watch is available on special order at Ethos Watch Boutiques.

Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition watch
Dedicated to a man of courage, dignity and integrity, the vintage looking timepiece truly represents the extraordinary story of Mr Brashear and his incredible diving career.

What did you think of this timepiece? Are you a fan of bronze watches? Let us know in the comments sections below!

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