Did you know that some famous items in the luxury retail business were created and named after historical people? Such were their legacies that they were deemed worthy of their own creations by the most upscale luxury brands. A good example is the Kelly bag from Hermes, named after Hollywood legend and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly. Another is Gucci’s “Jackie” purse which is a tribute to the former first lady of the United States of America, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis. In the world of haute horology, one such item is the Oris Carl Brashear watch, named after a legendary US Navy Master Diver.
Compare Oris Carl Brashear Watch Prices Online
Amazon
US$4,850.00 – Chronograph
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Jomashop
US$1,764.00
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Ebay
Varies
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Release date: November 2017
Price when reviewed: US$2,800.00
Oris’ Carl Brashear timepiece was released on November of 2016. It came along the heels of the brand’s “Divers Sixty-Five” watch from the year before. The legendary namesake, who was one of the first African-American amputee Master Divers in the US Navy, wore the same model during his time in the military. In 2018, the brand released it a second time, this time as a chronograph watch. A limited edition run, the Oris Carl Brashear watch only has 2,000 pieces available for purchase, and each costs $4,950.
Specifications:
- Diameter: 42mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Water Resistant: 100 meters
- Power Reserve: 40 hours
- Frequency: 4Hz
- Strap: Leather
- Buckle: Bronze pin buckle
Pros
Design-wise, the new limited edition piece exemplifies all that has made the original iterations the beloved icon it is today. The use of bronze, especially as a shimmering bezel, harkens back to the rustic days of Brashear’s most prominent era, which is completed by the rigid brown leather strap. All of the elements on the face are vivid and legible, helped by the contrasting colorway of midnight navy dial with cream details.
Cons
While the use of bronze is not new, it does make this new timepiece look like a novelty item. Staying faithful to its classic design is no problem, but this particular watch looks too much like the original. Apart from the innovative functions it holds, there’s little to no modern touch in terms of the timepieces’ overall design. The material itself, bronze, can also easily tarnish when contacted with too much liquid, whether it’s rain, swimming in the pool or the beach, or simply the sweat of the owner.
Compare with:
- Tudor Black Bay GMT ‘Pepsi-Cola’
- Rolex Yacht-Master II
- Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Chronometer
- Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique
Image Credits: Monochrome Watches (featured image), Hodinkee, Worn and Wound, Time and Tide Watches (article images).
