Article: The New Oris Hank Aaron Limited Edition
The New Oris Hank Aaron Limited Edition
Oris celebrates the great humanitarian and baseball Hall-of-Famer Hank Aaron with a limited-edition Big Crown Pointer Date created and named in his honour.
Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron was one of the greatest athletes and humanitarians of the past half century. He never sought the spotlight, but it found him because of his many achievements.
Aaron achieved numerous accolades and records throughout his career, most notably breaking Babe Ruth's long-standing record for career home runs. He played as an outfielder for 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Aaron's career began in the Negro Leagues before he made his MLB debut in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves. He quickly established himself as a highly skilled player with exceptional hitting ability. Aaron was known for his powerful swing, consistency, and remarkable hand-eye coordination, which enabled him to excel as both a contact and power hitter.
In 1974, Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth's record of 714 career home runs when he hit his 715th home run, solidifying his place in baseball history. He finished his career with 755 home runs, a record that stood for over three decades until it was broken by Barry Bonds in 2007. Aaron also holds numerous other MLB records, including the most career runs batted in (RBIs) and total bases.
Throughout his career, Aaron faced racial discrimination and received significant backlash as he approached Ruth's record. He demonstrated remarkable grace and dignity, becoming an influential figure in the civil rights movement and inspiring generations of athletes.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Aaron was a 25-time All-Star and won three Gold Glove Awards for his exceptional fielding skills. He led the Braves to a World Series championship in 1957 and was named the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1957.
After retiring as a player, Aaron remained involved in baseball as an executive with the Atlanta Braves. He received numerous honors and awards, including induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in 2002.
Hank Aaron's impact on the game of baseball extends far beyond his remarkable statistics. He was a trailblazer and an inspiration to countless players and fans. His legacy as a true sports icon and a symbol of perseverance and excellence will forever be remembered in the annals of baseball history.
Oris presents the Hank Aaron Limited Edition, a classic based on the Big Crown that captures the story of a great humanitarian.
The watch is based on Oris’s signature design, the Big Crown Pointer Date, with touches that point to the great man and his record-breaking career. The colour palette of blue, red and white is inspired by Hank Aaron’s famous baseball uniform. The palette is subtly applied to reflect Aaron’s humble attitude: in the blue-outlined red numerals; in the red-outlined blue minutes ring that runs around the dial; and in the blue leather strap, which is finished with white stitching akin to the stitching on a baseball glove. It comes with an interchangeable blue, red and white NATO fabric strap and a strap change tool.
Beyond, the watch is the familiar Big Crown, with a smooth, ergonomic round case in 40mm of stainless steel; a central pointer date hand with a red tip; a fluted bezel reminiscent of classic pilot’s watches; and an oversized crown, first added to an Oris watch in 1938 as a device for gloved airmen. The case back is engraved with a motif of Hank Aaron and his famous cross-handed batting stance, another thing that set him apart in the world of baseball.
“To be able to collaborate with the Hank Aaron family and the Chasing the Dream Foundation, and to commemorate Hank Aaron, is a true honour,” said Rolf Studer, Oris Co-CEO. “Mr Aaron is an inspiration. He broke down racial barriers, rewrote the record books and devoted his life to the service of others. For Oris, it is a great privilege to be able to support his legacy and the foundation as it continues its mission to bring Change for the Better to the lives of disadvantaged young people.”
