Oris is excited to unveil its latest collaboration with the social enterprise Bracenet, known for crafting accessories from recycled ‘ghost’ fishing nets. Now, they are extending their partnership to create stunning watch dials.
Changing the landscape
Oris’ long-standing “Change for the Better” campaign has served as an inspiration for collaborations with some of the world’s foremost agents of change.
When it comes to thinking, behaving, and acting sustainably, a company like Oris has several options. First, they can examine their setup and implement changes in their business operations. Second, they can assess the production of their watches. Third, they can extend their focus beyond their immediate surroundings to identify opportunities for fostering positive change.
After years of dedicated effort and exploration, Oris takes great pride in being actively involved in all three of these domains. They have successfully reduced the environmental impact of their factory in Hölstein, expanded their network of sustainable suppliers, and established partnerships with a diverse range of pioneering charities, social enterprises, non-profits, and businesses that share their commitment to sustainability. Oris firmly believes that meaningful change for the better can only be achieved through collaborative efforts.
In 2021, Oris earned climate-neutral status from the independent organization ClimatePartner. This achievement was the result of rigorous calculations of their global carbon footprint and the implementation of formal measures to offset it. In the previous year, they published their inaugural Oris Sustainability Report and launched the Oris Emissions Reduction Programme, with the ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions by 10 percent annually for three years.
Oris takes pride in their collaborations with some of the world’s most influential advocates for change. They have partnered with conservationists and humanitarians, including organizations such as the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Billion Oyster Project, and Wings of Hope, the latter of which has been twice nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Additionally, Oris has collaborated with Swiss company Cervo Volante to create watch straps crafted from sustainably sourced and tanned deer leather.
Today, Oris is delighted to introduce their latest collaboration with the social enterprise Bracenet: the Oris X Bracenet watch, featuring a dial crafted from ‘ghost’ and end-of-life fishing nets.
Caught in the act
The introduction of the Oris X Bracenet heralds a fresh collaboration between Oris and the social enterprise Bracenet, dedicated to repurposing ‘ghost’ fishing nets into innovative accessories.
The sobering statistics surrounding ocean plastic present a challenging reality. For instance, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), an expanse of plastic waste drifting between Hawaii and California, is estimated to be four-and-a-half times the size of Germany, as calculated by the environmental engineering organization The Ocean Cleanup. This same organization estimates that 46 percent of the GPGP is comprised of lost or discarded fishing nets, making it a grave concern. These ‘ghost’ fishing nets, though no longer in active use, continue to ensnare and harm marine life as they float in the ocean.
Experts estimate that approximately one million tonnes of fishing nets enter the oceans each year, and the haunting reality is that a ghost net can continue to entangle marine life for 400-600 years. Awareness of this issue has only recently begun to rise, thanks to the dedication of individuals like Benjamin Wenke and Madeleine von Hohenthal, the founders of Oris’ new partner, the social enterprise Bracenet. Their journey began in 2015 when they discovered this alarming phenomenon while diving off the coast of Tanzania. Determined to make a difference, they started creating bracelets from upcycled ghost nets, giving birth to Bracenet. Today, the company offers a diverse range of products and accessories, transforming this potentially life-threatening waste into something both beautiful and impactful, sending a powerful message that change is imperative.
Oris is now proud to introduce the Oris X Bracenet, a special-edition version of the Aquis Date diver’s watch featuring a remarkable dial crafted from recycled ghost and end-of-life nets. Crafting these vibrant dials involves heating small offcuts of green, blue, and white materials until they melt into a raw form. As they cool, they solidify into a thin sheet, which is then cut, planed, and sanded down to a mere 0.3mm thickness. Notably, the material contains no additives, fillers, or glues, resulting in completely unique dials, each one distinct from the others.
This special edition watch is available in two stainless steel versions, one with a 43.50 mm case and the other with a 36.50 mm case. Both models feature automatic mechanical movements, uni-directional rotating bezels, and water resistance up to 30 bar (300 meters). More importantly, they serve as symbols of the change Oris aims to inspire in the world.