You Asked Us: Will the Dial of my Oris Aquis Clipperton Fade in Bright Sunlight?
Oris has a good habit of bringing limited editions in their Aquis line to contribute to ocean conservation. This week we received a question from Apostolos, I guess one of our readers in Greece.
You Asked Us: Will the dial of my Oris Aquis Clipperton fade in bright sunlight?
Here’s the original text of Apostolos question:
Subject: WATCH DIALS AND SUN EXPOSURE
Hello,
I recently bought an Oris Aquis Clipperton. Its graded blue dial is a real joy. The question is, is it ok to use in direct sunlight regularly, or it will soon fade and lose its fantastic contrast?
Thank you,
Apostolos
Mr. Ulrich Herzog explaining Oris’ contributions to Ocean conservation
Oris’ Contribution to Ocean Conservation
Already in 2010 Oris brought its first limited edition of the Aquis to contribute to Ocean Conservation. From the proceeds of this model, the Great Barrier Reef, part was donated to the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Numerous models followed, almost yearly. Maldives, Tubbataha, Kittiwake, El Hierro, Hammerhead, and Staghorn are amongst them. A while ago, we did a review on the Oris Aquis Staghorn.
Presentation box made using environmentally friendly regenerative algae
The Clipperton Atoll
Last year, 2017, we saw the Oris Aquis Clipperton. A watch dedicated to the preservation of earth most isolated land mass, Clipperton Island. We did a short review on this Aquis Clipperton limited edition. The Clipperton atoll, situated at 10°18′N 109°13′W in the Pacific Ocean, is home to a number of threatened species, on land and in the water. Belonging to Frensch Polynesia, its closest mainland coast is that of Mexico, 1.300 km to the north-east of the atoll.
A beautiful gradient blue dial
The beautiful gradient blue dial of the Oris Aquis Clipperton was inspired by the water surrounding the atoll. The gradient, from light to dark blue color, is caused by the water depths inside of the atoll, some over 70 meters deep. And this weeks question is about the concern if the gradient blue dial wouldn’t lose its lustre when regularly used in direct sunlight.
A quite understandable question, however, not one we could answer right away ourselves. Therefore we contacted Oris’ chairman, Ulrich W. Herzog. Although we’re in the holiday period in Switzerland as well, Mr Herzog contacted the dial manufacturer who produced this gem for the Oris Aquis Clipperton.
Absolutely safe to use regularly in bright sunlight
As expected not much information on the technical side could be given. The dial manufacturer, of course, did not reveal details of his process how he achieved this amazing depth in blue, which makes this watch so attractive. The dial manufacturer applied a sunray with this deep blue color, but that’s all which can be told about the technics used to produce this dial. However, Mr Ulrich, by word of his dial manufacturer, confirmed: “there is no reason to be afraid that the color will be fading in bright sunlight”. For me, this information, and directly from a source like this, would be sufficient not to worry.
Case back embossed with Clipperton Island and its coordinates
Specifications for the Oris Aquis Clipperton
Oris Clipperton Limited Edition
Ref. No. 01 733 7730 4185 MB, Ø 43.5 mm Limited to 2,000 pieces
- Automatic movement Oris Cal. 733, based on Sellita SW 200-1, with a date at 6 o’clock
- Multi-piece stainless steel case with screw-in security crown and crown protection. Water-resistant to 30 bar/300m
- Diver’s uni-directional rotating bezel with a black ceramic insert with 60-minute timer and zero marker filled with Super-LumiNova®
- Sapphire crystal domed on both sides with anti-reflective coating inside
- Screwed stainless steel case back embossed with Clipperton Island and its coordinates
- Gradient blue dial with applied indices filled with Super-LumiNova®. Nickel hour and minute hands filled with Super-LumiNova®. Nickel central seconds hand with ‘lollipop’ insert filled with Super-LumiNova®
- Black rubber strap with Oris-developed safety anchor and quick-adjust, sliding-sled folding clasp with extension. Alternatively available with a stainless steel bracelet with quick-adjust, sliding-sled folding clasp with extension
- Presentation box made using environmentally friendly regenerative algae. Clipperton Island insignia included inside
- Retail price in the EU: € 1,950 on a strap, €2,150 on a stainless steel bracelet
The next Oris Aquis limited edition
Meanwhile, during Baselworld 2018, Oris has presented the next limited edition of the Aquis, the Source of Life. The Oris Source of Life is not about ocean conservation but is inspired by the River Rhine. It celebrates the role water plays in our lives and invites us to think about how we care for the world’s water sources.
More information on the Oris Aquis and its limited editions can be found at the official Oris website here.
