Oris Great Barrier Reef Watch Review
Wednesday - 15 February 2012
The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is one of the world’s greatest biospheres. Visible from outer space, it’s the largest structure made by living organisms on the planet. UNESCO designated it as a world heritage site, and Australia has taken steps to ensure that the three thousand mile reef remains protected from fishing and other human activities.
But it’s going to take a lot more than that to protect the Great Barrier Reef. Protection from direct human actions is a good start, but the gradual poisoning of the world’s oceans--an effect of humanity’s Industrial Revolution--poses an even greater challenge. Such a fight requires massive changes to education and production, and a nearly limitless amount of funds.
Luxury watchmaker Oris is adding its efforts to the struggle, and stylishly. Their “Great Barrier Reef” Limited Edition watch is new for 2010. An automatic diver’s watch, it’s water resistant to a full 1,000 metres. The dial is done in an attractive blue wave pattern that’s clearly meant to evoke thoughts of the Great Barrier Reef.
But there’s a little bit else to the watch that makes owning it that much more worthwhile. For every Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition piece that Oris sells, the company will donate 50 Swiss francs for the preservation of what CNN has determined to be one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Specifically, the money will go to the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the entity endowed with the responsibility of protecting the reef.
While the funds will certainly be put to good use, the educational or public awareness aspect of what Oris is doing is probably the most valuable. By producing a bold timepiece that calls to mind the importance of the Great Barrier Reef, a lasting impression will be left with every individual who sees it.
