The parallels between astronomy and watchmaking run deep. Beyond the obvious like their relationships with time and its divisions, each field also relies heavily on accurate observations and precise measurements. It’s little wonder, then, that Oris would choose to pay tribute to Tycho Brahe with a limited edition watch based on the Artix collection.

Brahe, a 16th century Danish nobleman, is noted for proposing a model of the heavens where the Sun and Moon revolved around the Earth, while the remaining planets circled the Sun instead. In a period when concerns with such ‘truths’ were as much philosophical and religious as they were scientific, a model like this would have correlated (largely) with observed reality while keeping in line with the Church’s teachings. Although inaccurate, Brahe’s work paved the way for astronomers after him to further our understanding of the universe into what it is today. It is this hypothetical model of the heavens that is engraved on the case back of the Tycho Brahe Limited Edition watch, with the Earth at its centre.

From the front, the watch presents a casual yet dressy elegance, with information segregated into concentric rings on the dark blue dial. The inner chapter ring displays the moon phase numerically, in Oris’s take on the complication it calls the Pointer Moon. Unlike conventional moon phase displays, the hand jumps forward every half a day, thus reflecting the actual moon phase more closely. For the visually inclined, the corresponding moon phases are represented pictorially on the flange of the watch, and alternate with applique hour markers to create both raised and flat surfaces. Oris has also played with textures by decorating parts of the dial with a guilloché pattern resembling circular graining, which catches the light differently depending on the angle. A dark blue calf leather strap and a steel deployant buckle complete the look by matching the dial and case respectively.

Specs

• Dimensions: 42mm
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, moon phase
• Power Reserve: 38 hours
• Movement: Self-winding Oris Calibre 761 based on Sellita SW220
• Material: Steel
• Water Resistance: 100 meters
• Strap: Dark blue calf leather with steel deployant clasp

This story was first published in World of Watches.