Oris created the Whale Shark Limited Edition dive watch to support the work of brand ambassador and underwater photographer Gerardo del Villar, who has been documenting the largest fish in the ocean for more than 15 years. In 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that the global population of whale sharks had halved over the previous 75 years. To highlight threats to the whale sharks, and the firms wider commitment to ocean conservation, Oris and del Villar produced a series of short films along with the new diver. “The idea is to help people get to know the wonderful whale shark more closely, and to encourage them to get involved in conservation, before it’s too late” according to del Villar.
The Whale Shark Limited Edition is based on the Oris Aquis GMT diver and limited to 2,016 pieces – to mark the year of the IUCN’s landmark whale shark announcement. Inside the 43.5 mm stainless steel case, the blue dial features a specially engraved pattern inspired by the texture of whale shark skin. An image of the giant fish is also engraved on the case-back, along with the watches numbered edition.
Oris Whale Shark Limited Edition ($3,200.00), from oris.ch.
