A compelling new addition to the Big Crown collection and a handsome tribute to late baseball player Roberto Clemente, Oris has unveiled the new Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition watch. The special edition of 3,000 pieces has been designed alongside the Roberto Clemente Foundation managed by Clemente’s son, Luis Roberto Clemente Zabala. Together, Oris and the foundation pay respect to Clemente and his incredible legacy by ensuring profits generated from the sale of each watch helps fundraise a new Sports City, a place for at-risk youth to play baseball.
Described by his teammates as “the greatest God-given talent I ever saw on a baseball diamond”, Roberto Clemente is considered one of the greatest baseball players of his time. Having defied all odds to begin his career, Clemente began in the Puerto Rican professional league before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unfortunately, he would face many unfair political and social challenges during his time on the field becoming a symbol of the working class and often ridiculed for his thick accent. Reporters in particular were renowned for treating him unjustly, with Clemente famously quoting: “The farther away you writers stay, the better I like it. You know why? Because you’re trying to create a bad image of me… You do it because I’m black and Puerto Rican, but I’m proud to be Puerto Rican.””
Despite his unfair treatment, Roberto Clemente became a star on the field not only winning two World Series with the Pirates but the Rawlings Gold Glove Award a total of 12 times and racking up over 3,000 hits. His achievements off-field were just as impressive highlighted by his actions after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Nicaragua on December 23rd, 1972. The earthquake left 11,000 people dead and over 300,000 more without a home. Clemente sent aid to the nation, but after discovering corrupt local officials weren’t distributing his donations correctly, he decided to board a plane himself to ensure the relief packages reached the people who needed them most. Unfortunately, the Douglas DC-7 cargo plane overloaded by 4,200 pounds plunged into the Atlantic and everyone on board, including Roberto Clemente, lost their lives.
Just over a year after the accident, Roberto Clemente was rightly inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and to honour his remarkable career and life, the Commissioner’s Award, a tradition started in 1971, was renamed the Roberto Clemente Award. The stunning Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition does a fantastic job of paying tribute to the baseball and humanitarian legend, with 3,000 pieces being released and serial numbers 1971 to 2000 being specially kept aside awarded to players who have received the namesake award.
Based on the Swiss watch brand’s iconic Big Crown Pointer Date, the Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition watch is a handsome edition in its own right bought to life by a number of visual cues inspired by Roberto Clemente himself. The elegant black and gold numerals take inspiration from his baseball uniform while the subtle “21” date marker found on the edge of the white dial’s circumference stands out against in gold against the rest in black. This number has been purposely highlighted since it was Clemente’s number at the Pittsburgh Pirates, a number which has now retired.
The elegant 40mm stainless steel case of the Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition watch follows suit to the rest of the collection with a distinctive coin-edged fixed bezel, domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment on the inside, a screw in security crown and a water resistant rating of 50 metres. Turn the piece around and you are greeted to a special engraved case back which reads the “Roberto Clemente Limited Edition” alongside the limited edition number out of 3,000 pieces and a breathtaking image of the baseball legend himself.
Housed within the case is the Oris 754 automatic winding movement. The Swiss made calibre based on the SW 200-1 provides centre hands for hours, minutes and seconds, a central date hand and a power reserve of 38 hours. To complete the look of the Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition, the case is fitted with a vintage-inspired light brown leather strap and stainless steel pin buckle. On ordering, the watch is presented with a special box, certificate, and an additional NATO strap with buckle.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Roberto Clemente, a humanitarian looking to help contribute to his causes or simply a collector enamoured by the handsome design of this Big Crown Pointer Date, we invite you to discover the Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition in more detail on the Jura Watches website. Retailing at £1,350, the model is in stock now and available with interest free finance and free next day delivery while stocks last.
Specifications: Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition (01 754 7741 4081-SET)
- Case Size: 40mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screwed with special engravings
- Water Resistance: 50 metre
- Movement: Oris 754 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date centre hand
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: White with Superluminova indices, numbers and hands
- Strap: Light brown leather (with additional NATO in box)
- Buckle: Pin
- Limited Edition: 3,000 pieces
- RRP: £1,350
