Oris Carl Brashear Calibre 401 Limited Edition

Back In Bronze: A Closer Look At The New Oris Carl Brashear Calibre 401 Limited Edition

Continuing its support of U.S. Navy Master Diver Carl Brashear’s legacy, Oris unveils its third limited edition Carl Brashear timepiece, featuring a new in-house movement.

By Sophie Furley
Contributor

Oris and the Carl Brashear Foundation join forces once more with a new limited-edition timepiece that will continue to shine a light on the life of U.S. Navy Master Diver Carl Brashear.

This new Diver Sixty-Five comes in a 40mm bronze case, features a small seconds at 6 o’clock, and is powered by the second movement from Oris’ new family of in-house movements, the Calibre 401.

Who was Carl Brashear?

As far as real-life heroes go, Carl Brashear is a legend. Born into a poor sharecropper’s family in rural Kentucky, he dreamed of joining the Navy and becoming a diver. And even though he had received limited schooling and was facing racial prejudice, he was undeterred, working harder than ever towards his goal. In 1954, he became the first-ever African American diver in the U.S. Navy.

Unfortunately, this was not to be the only challenge that Carl Brashear faced during his lifetime. In 1966, he lost the lower part of his left leg during a mission. The Navy wanted him to retire, but Carl fought to keep his position. He subsequently became the first amputee diver in U.S. Navy history.
 

Carl Brashear triumphed against adversity time and time again and left behind this inspiring quote: “It’s not a sin to get knocked down. It’s a sin to stay down.”

The Carl Brashear Foundation

The Carl Brashear Foundation was started by his son Phillip to honor his father and provide inspiration to people all over the world. In 2015 Oris partnered with the foundation as part of its mission to bring “Change for Better” and unveiled the 42mm Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition. That was followed two years later, in 2018, with the 43mm Oris Carl Brashear Chronograph Limited Edition.
 

“We have been inspired and impressed by the obstacles that Carl Brashear overcame through his actions, through changing his own fate by taking it into his own hands,” Rolf Studer, Oris Co-CEO, shared. “This is very close to the Oris brand values and is a perfect fit, and I believe that the message and legacy of Carl Brashear that was relevant in 2015 are as relevant, if not more relevant, now in 2021.”
 

More About The Watch

Bronze has been the choice of case material for all three Carl Brashear limited editions for two reasons. The first is that it recalls the bronze diving helmets worn by Carl Brashear during the ‘50s and ‘60s.
 

And the second reason is that bronze is a natural material that patinas over time as it reacts with oxygen in the air and moisture from the skin, providing a visual chronicle of its life and service.
 

The timepiece also features a uni-directional bronze bezel that has a diving scale in relief. Other details include a deep blue dial inspired by traditional naval colors and a unique NATO strap designed exclusively for Oris by Erika’s Originals.
 

More About The New Movement

The new Calibre 401 follows on from the Calibre 400 that was launched last year and is the brand’s second in-house automatic movement from this new family. The Calibre 401 includes the same 10-year extended warranty, five-day power reserve, and anti-magnetic features as the Calibre 400, but now features the addition of a small seconds function.
 

The new Oris Carl Brashear Cal. 401 Limited Edition is limited to 2,000 pieces, is priced at $4,200, and is already in stores for those who want to get a closer look.
 

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)

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