In recent years, the ateliers of fine watchmaking have begun to look beyond escapements and enamel dials toward a more pressing mandate: stewardship of the planet. Sustainability, once an ancillary talking point in luxury, has evolved into a defining ethos. Timepiece makers increasingly recognise that precision engineering and environmental responsibility need not be mutually exclusive pursuits. From responsibly sourced materials to partnerships with conservation bodies, horology is discovering that its relevance in the twenty first century is measured not merely in seconds, but in sincerity. It is within this expanding moral horizon that Oris introduces the Oris Yangtze Jiangtun Limited Edition, a 1,249 diver’s watch that binds Swiss mechanical rigour to ecological advocacy. Anchored in the robust architecture of the Aquis Date, this special edition emerges not simply as an instrument of underwater resilience, but as an ambassador for one of the world’s most endangered freshwater species.
The Yangtze finless porpoise, known as jiangtun in Mandarin, is specially adapted to the Yangtze River system, China’s longest river and the world’s third longest. Following the extinction of the Baiji dolphin due to overfishing, water and noise pollution, habitat loss, and shipping, a 2017 report projected that there were just 1,012 Yangtze finless porpoises left. The Chinese porpoise, known for its interesting smile and intellect, is categorised as “critically endangered” by the WWF and may suffer the same fate as the Baiji dolphin.
The Oris Yangtze Jiangtun Limited Edition timepiece 43.5mm multi-piece stainless steel case and uni-directional 60-minute rotating bezel with tungsten insert and minutes scale. The dial is made from mother-of-pearl, a natural material with an iridescent sheen that forms inside certain mollusc shells. Highlighted in a blue-green colour, it captures and reflects light like the surface of the Yangtze River. Although mother-of-pearl is delicate and brittle to work with, Oris has printed a wave pattern on the dial emulating the sound waves of the finless porpoise’s high-frequency ultrasonic clicks used for echolocation and social interactions. The dial also gets shield-shaped lume-filled hour markers, Alpha hour and minute hands, and a lollipop second hand. There is also a white background date window at 6 o’clock.
Powering the watch is Oris Calibre 733 offering a 41 hour-power reserve. Turning the watch showcases the closed, stainless steel, screwed caseback with special engraving of Yangtze Jiangtun Limited Edition, the number of the watch out of 1,249, AND Yangtze finless porpoise swimming. Finishing the watch is a multi-piece stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp.
