Into the Deep: Oris’ Lake Baikal Limited Edition

In Siberia, north of the Mongolian border, nestled among towering mountains and imposing ranges, lies Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest lake in the world. Famed for its pristine surface, the lake’s icy blue waters are home to around 1,700-1,800 species of endemic flora and fauna. It also makes up around 20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater. And we’re slowly destroying it.

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Lately, harmful algae blooms have been more pervasive across the lake. Green carpets of algae coat the lake’s shallow waters and imperil marine life. Scientists have pinpointed that one of the factors may be attributed to the continuous rise of tourism and industrialization in the area. And of course, there is the worldwide problem of global warming.

Beyond losing the lake’s beauty and legacy, there are also plenty who will lose their home. To the endemic species, Lake Baikal is their only home. Conservation groups and scientists have been working hard to preserve it. Alongside them, Swiss watchmaker Oris, whose mission is to make a real difference, has actively been contributing to preserving the earth and has created a limited-edition timepiece that captures the striking blue of the lake in winter. There will only be 1,999 pieces made, marking the year Russia adopted the Baikal Law protecting the lake. Sales of the watch will also help raise funds for ‘Point No.1’, a Lake Baikal conservation project run by the Scientific Research Institute of Biology at Irkutsk State University.  

Founded in 1945, ‘Point No.1’ is recognized as the longest-running and most detailed environmental water monitoring project in scientific history. Three-quarters of a century on, its work continues to breathe hope into the future of Lake Baikal. Year-round, a team of seven scientists work
at ‘Point No.1’. They monitor the lake’s health by collecting samples from the water in summer and from the ice in winter. These samples are then taken to a laboratory where they are filtered and processed. The scientists identify zooplankton and phytoplankton, and then record and process the data. From this, they observe patterns that help them monitor the lake’s health. Weather conditions vary wildly depending on the season—average temperatures at Lake Baikal range from -21°C in winter to 11°C in summer. It’s vital work, but the project is routinely threatened with closure due to lack of funds.

The limited-edition 43.5mm Aquis Lake Baikal timepiece takes its design cues from nature itself. A variation of the popular Aquis diver watch, its blue gradient tone lets you wear the stunning winter scenery of the lake on your wrist. Cold, ice blue rings out to a deep sapphire on the dial while a dark cerulean bezel encircles it. Everything else is set in white and silver.

Powered by the Oris 733 Movement, based on a Selita SW-200-1, featuring a date window at 6 o’clock. It also holds a 38-hour power reserve. While the deepest point of Lake Baikal stretches up to more than 1,600 meters deep, the watch it inspired has a 300-meter/30 bar rating, certainly enough for most dives. Its caseback detail is a rendition of the frozen waters of Lake Baikal with ‘Oris Lake Baikal Limited Edition’ around it. It comes in a stainless steel bracelet, which I think perfectly complements the blues but it can be easily switched out with rubber or leather bands as well. The watch comes in a completely recycled cardboard box which further drives Oris’ commitment to create products that maintain quality but are environmentally sustainable.