Oris’s latest release is quite special, as with this release they are celebrating not only their newest partnership with Botswana’s aeromedical rescue organisation Okavango Air Rescue but also the organisation’s 10th anniversary. This latest model is a limited-edition version of the Big Crown ProPilot that takes inspiration from Botswana’s scenic nature.
Oris is very passionate about organisations that work to bring “Change for the Better” and also about air rescue services. Some of the aeromedical partnerships that Oris has made over the years include organisations like Rega and the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. Okavango Air Rescue joins this list thanks to its remarkable work in Botswana.
Okavango Air Rescue (O.A.R) was first established in 2011 in Botswana by Swiss entrepreneur Christian Gross and German-born Dr Misha S. Kruck. They created this aeromedical rescue organisation as a way to serve a country that has a lot of remote communities. This privately owned and independently funded organisation operates helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft along with a polyclinic so that they can bring quality medical care to locals and tourists that are visiting the country.
One of the vital services of the O.A.R is providing medical air support to the tourists and ethnic groups that make up Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is considered one of nature’s miracles and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers a flat area of more than 20, 000km2 and is one of the most spectacular sites on Earth. The Okavango Delta is made up of grasslands, marshes, lagoons, and thousands of small islands.
Before 2011, when O.A.R was established, the Delta area did not have any aerial medical support. The nearest supplies would need to be brought in from South Africa, which is quite a wait, especially during emergencies.
O.A.R’s work today encompasses the Delta area by using two PC-12 fixed-wing aircraft and two Bell Jetranger 206 III helicopters to provide aerial medical support. During emergencies, O.A.R will send a medically equipped helicopter along with an emergency doctor to the Delta area to provide support as needed.
Design:
As mentioned previously, the Oris Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition model is based on the Swiss brand’s Big Crown ProPilot. The green dial is certainly unique as it is inspired by the grasses of the Okavango Delta, with clear “grain” markings to give the 3d-effect of grass on the dial. The hour indices along with minute and hour hands are all done in white (and filled with superluminova) which provides a clear and beautiful contrast against the green dial. The minute hand is done in black with a red tip.
The 41mm multipiece stainless steel case comes with a “knurled” bezel and the iconic oversized crown for easy adjustment of date and time. 41mm is a great size and since this is a simple 3-hander dial it makes it an ideal pilot’s watch as it is easy to read and easy to adjust.
The Oris Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition comes with two strap options. The model originally comes with a green textile strap which is created by Erika’s Originals exclusively for Oris and the additional strap being a simple brown leather strap. The green strap certainly does add to the whole safari look that the watch is intended for.
Movement:
The movement used for the Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition is Oris’s own automatic 751 calibre movement. This movement is based on the Sellita SW220-1 movement, with Oris making their own adjustments to it. The Oris 751 movement puts out a frequency of 28, 800 and has a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. The case back of the watch is closed, however, it features an engraving of a medical airplane flying over the Delta region. The limited-edition number/2011 is also engraved on the case back, along with the words “OKAVANGO AIR RESCUE LIMITED EDITION”.
The Oris Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition timepiece celebrates the partnership between Oris and Botswana’s aeromedical rescue organisation, along with also celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the organisation. Limited to 2011 models, the year that the organisation was created, the Oris Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition is one of those special pieces with quite a story and meaning behind it.
Reference: 01 751 7761 4187
Okavango Air Rescue Specification:
- Case: 41mm
- Case Material: Multi-piece stainless steel case
- Dial: Green
- Crystal: Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Movement: Oris 751
- Functions: Centre hands for hours, minutes and seconds, date window, instantaneous date, date corrector, fine timing device and stop-second
- Power reserve: 38 hours
Australian Retail Pricing: $3,000.00
Availability: Available now
Enquire at local Authorised dealers :
- Brisbane – The Hour Glass
- Melbourne – Hardy Brothers
- Sydney – Gregory Jewellers and Wamada Jewellery
- Perth – Hardy Brothers
