The Manual Wind: Oris Bronze Carl Brashear Limited Edition Diver

By Ian Schwam June 8, 2016

the manual wind oris bronze carl brashear limited edition diver — Image used with permission by copyright holder

01 733 7720 3185-Set LS - Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition

Steel and gold are the two metals that first come to mind in watch discussion. Sprinkle in some titanium, ceramic, and platinum and call it a day. Hublot was one brand to run the gamut on exotic metals; tantalum, cermet, and tungsten to name a few. One metal making a big splash lately (causing it to patina) is bronze. Gerald Genta tried with the Gefica years ago but it wasn’t as well received as Panerai’s bronze Luminor of late. Now Oris is taking a stab at this fun-to-wear metal with its Divers Sixty-Five inspired Carl Brashear Limited Edition.

At 42mm in diameter, slightly larger than the the Sixty-Five, the Carl Brashear is a classic diver cast in bronze. Blue dial with round markers make for extreme legibility. Beneath the dial lies an automatic Oris caliber 733 movement with a 40 hour power reserve. Rated to 100m depth, this bronze case with steel caseback will suit your diving needs just fine.

The beauty of bronze is not only its color, but its ability to change. Based on the wearers environment, this piece will

01 733 7720 3185-Set LS_cbs.tif — Image used with permission by copyright holder

darken and patina to a piece unique. This tribute to the first African-American Navy diver is a limited edition of only 2000 pieces. Aesthetically awesome and well priced at $2,600, i’m sure this piece with be sold out fast. I small price to pay for diving history creating a patina based on your own history.

Update: As predicted, this piece has been a huge hit for Oris. Extremely tough to get your hands on, waiting lists are long and seeing one in person is a struggle. If you see one, grab it!

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Contributing writer and watch enthusiast Ian Schwam dons an expert knowledge of all things watches. Having spent a decade in…

Fashion & Style

Overland is the king of ski towns: Celebrating 50 years of American mountain west outerwear

How did Overland win over the mountain town

Taos Storefront 2023

Every industry has its mainstay brands that only get stronger with more competition. There will always be some new and fresh idea that challenges all those before it and tries to change the industry. Then there are those brands they face, who have been around for decades, weaving in and out of competition and outlasting every challenge thrown their way. For every new and exciting watch brand, there is a Rolex standing strong. While there are plenty of explanations for why a brand outshines every other around it, Overland Sheepskin Co. has an explanation all its own. On this, their 50th year, we look back and try to understand how this family-owned business became the King of the Mountain towns and what keeps them on top.

Back in 1973, the flagship store in Taos, New Mexico, took a bale of sheepskin and a sewing machine and began creating coats, hats, and mittens for the surrounding area. As word began to spread about their quality, the whole family had to pitch in to help out to meet the growing demand. Five decades later, with 17 stores throughout the Rocky Mountains and across the country, they have become a mainstay in the mountain and ski towns for their quality and dependability. We got a chance to sit down with Monty Goodson, manager of the Santa Fe store and a buyer for the company, to find out how they did it and how they maintain the culture that has made them who they are today.

Fashion & Style

Bell & Ross BR-03, its flagship watch, updated for first time in almost 2 decades

A classic design gets a much-deserved update

BR 03 Military Ceramic watch Bell & Ross

In the realm of luxury watches, Bell & Ross holds a unique place. The brand is renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and innovative designs, which have consistently pushed the boundaries of watchmaking. One of their most iconic watches, the Bell & Ross BR-03, recently underwent a significant update, marking a milestone in its nearly two-decade history.

Founded in 1992 by Bruno Belamich and Carlos A. Rosillo, Bell & Ross quickly gained recognition for its dedication to producing professional timepieces tailored to specific needs. Their watches are often inspired by aviation and military aesthetics, characterized by a perfect blend of form and function. Over the years, the Bell & Ross BR-03 has become a symbol of precision and reliability, earning its place among the finest luxury watches.
The timeless design of the BR 03
The Bell & Ross BR 03 has always been celebrated for its distinctive square case design, paying homage to cockpit instruments. Its robust and bold appearance sets it apart from traditional round watches, and the BR 03 has been a favorite among those who appreciate a timepiece that makes a statement. The signature square case, clear numerals, and luminescent hands make it not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly legible.

Fashion & Style

Apple doesn’t sell the Hermes Apple Watch leather band anymore – and we think we know why

Leather is not exactly "sustainable"

apple watch hermes leather band

In the realm of luxury, Hermes is a distinguished name known for (amongst other things) its collaboration with Apple in creating exquisite Apple Watch bands. In recent days, Hermes appeared to remove all leather Apple Watch 8 bands from its site, sparking intrigue and raising questions about the underlying reasons; many even wondered if Hermes and Apple were ending their partnership. All Apple Watch Series 9 bands are listed on the Hermes website – including leather bands. Still, Apple isn't selling the leather bands on its website, and there's an excellent reason why.