Based on their current Artix GT Chronograph (Ref. 674 7661 4434), this new Oris Calobra Limited Edition (Ref. 774 7661 4484) differs from the original only with a slightly cheaper Sellita SW500 movement that replaces the classic ETA 7750 work-horse but retains the easy-to-operate ceramic rotating bezel, as well as the signature dashboard-styled subsidiary second indicator at 9 o’clock.
Celebrating the brand’s sponsorship of the annual Rally Clasico Isla Mallorca where a number of vintage cars race for some 14 kilometers across the windy road in the vicinity of Calobra, the watch features the same sporty color scheme. Its black dial with greenish Superluminova on the hands and bold Arabic numerals is nicely accented with red hands and scales on the chapter rings and the chronograph sub-dials.
The black and red theme of the dial is further supported with a small red rectangle on the black ceramic bezel, as well as a number of red dots on the perforated leather strap, also black with light grey stitching that matches the color of the inner bezel.
Like it was the case with the original that the company has introduced last year, the rotating ceramic bezel is omnidirectional, so you can easily use the chronograph function as a countdown timer if needed.
The slightly oversized setting crown makes it especially easy to operate all functions (well, the chronograph is still operated by a pair of push-pieces at 2 and 4 o’clock) while being short enough not to bite the back of your hand at certain angles.
This particular version lacks the traditional sapphire crystal in the back: the piece is replaced with a solid steel screw-down cover, which is engraved with a winding road and some abstract mountain.
Still, this is not such a great loss, since the movements that the Swiss watchmaker uses in its watches are usually Spartan in appearance, so there is nothing particularly entertaining in admiring their red oscillating weights.
In its press release, Oris reports that only 1000 pieces will be built. The watchmaking specialist plans to offer them at a recommended street price of CHF 3550 (around $3750 USD) which, truth be told, makes it a fairly expensive toy. I mean, it looks great, no doubts about that, but a timekeeper that costs almost four thousand dollars deserves something more impressive and sophisticated than a simple Sellita SW500-based mechanism.
The watch will be revealed during the Baselworld 2013 show.
See also: Oris Aquis Titan Chronograph (674 7655 7253)
Photos: Oris
Oris Calobra Limited Edition (Ref. 774 7661 4484) specification
Price: CHF 3550
Movement: Automatic, Oris caliber 774 (base Sellita SW 500), Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 25
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 48 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
Case and Crown: Stainless steel
Bezel: Ceramic
Shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Case height: 15.00 mm
Lug width: 22 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic, luminous
Hour markers: Red
Hands: Luminous (SuperLuminova)
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black leather strap with perforations and contrast stitching, on stainless steel folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective inside, domed
Back: Solid steel, engraved