Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition Review & Features

Oris regularly holds meetings with the press and collectors, and I always try not to miss such events.

The experience of interacting with the brand's team and its fans is consistently positive. Oris knows how to create a community and a comfortable atmosphere - whether over a glass of beer and light snacks or through environmental initiatives. Every time I'm among this audience, I invariably hear questions like, "Aren't the Roberto Clemente watches sold out yet?" or "It's a pity I didn't manage to buy the Clemente." Today, Oris presents my favorite baseball-themed limited edition - the new Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition.

The Story Behind the Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition

As a journalist working in watch media, I've encountered only one brand that repeatedly asked me to focus more on the mission they support rather than the watches themselves. Whether it's the Billion Oyster Project collection or limited editions dedicated to Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron, Oris always emphasizes the importance of promoting charitable goals, not just technical and design innovations.

Each model in the so-called Oris baseball saga is created as a numbered limited edition based on the Big Crown Pointer Date watch. They are dedicated to significant statistical achievements of baseball legends, include subtle color accents in their design, and feature commemorative engravings on the case back. Part of the proceeds from sales go to support funds associated with these athletes.

For example, the Roberto Clemente limited edition, released in 2020 with a run of 3,000 pieces in honor of his career hits, was created to support The Roberto Clemente Foundation - a nonprofit organization that helps develop youth sports, provides disaster relief, supports veterans, and offers academic scholarships.

In 2023, the Hank Aaron Limited Edition was released, limited to 2,297 pieces in honor of the MLB RBI record. Part of the proceeds went to The Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation - a fund supporting underprivileged young people with scholarships to develop their talents and passions.

Today's novelty - the Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition - was released with a run of only 2,130 pieces in honor of Gehrig's record for consecutive games played, which lasted nearly 60 years until Cal Ripken Jr.'s record. The engraved ring insert on the case back features a relief silhouette of Lou Gehrig giving a speech that became baseball's equivalent of the Gettysburg Address.

The Significance of Lou Gehrig's Speech on July 4, 1939

On July 4, 1939, two weeks after being forced to leave the sport due to illness, Lou Gehrig spoke at a fully packed Yankee Stadium with a speech that moved even the staunchest Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox fans to tears. This speech, known as "I am the luckiest man on the face of the earth," begins with the words: "For the past two weeks, you've been reading about a bad break. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." By "bad break," Gehrig meant the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

The ALS Association explains: "ALS is a progressive disease where the brain loses its connection to the muscles, gradually depriving a person of the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. Although there is no complete cure, new treatments help slow the progression of symptoms and ease the condition."

It was a tragedy for the "Iron Horse" - Gehrig's nickname, associated with his record of 2,130 consecutive games played - to be forced to leave baseball and his family at 37 due to ALS. However, in this sorrow, there is a bright side - the disease received widespread publicity and drew attention to the need to fight it.

Oris emphasizes: "His dignity and strength in the face of adversity prompted a two-minute standing ovation. Over the decades, the family, New York Yankees, and MLB have raised millions of dollars for ALS research. In the USA, June 2 is celebrated as "Lou Gehrig Day."

Charitable Mission of the Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition

As with the Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron Limited Editions, the goal of the Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition is to honor Lou Gehrig's memory and support The Lou and Eleanor Gehrig Family Foundation. This charitable foundation funds research, clinical care, and patient education on ALS and other neuromuscular diseases.

The foundation's president, John Howell, noted: "These beautiful Oris watches reflect the same quiet strength, understated elegance, and endurance that characterized Lou Gehrig. In a world of excessive pomp, this is a remarkably subtle and worthy tribute. We are pleased to partner with Oris. Their support is very important for families facing ALS and other public health issues."

Features of the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Lou Gehrig Limited Edition

The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Automatic has retained its classic case dimensions: a diameter of 40 mm, a thickness of 12.2 mm, and a lug-to-lug distance of 48.2 mm. The stainless steel case is water-resistant up to 50 meters and equipped with a screw-down crown. In this limited edition, the central medallion of the dial is made in matte silver - a nod to Gehrig's nickname "Iron Horse."

On the black outer ring of the dial, all the days of the month are marked with white numbers, except for the number 4, highlighted in blue in honor of his jersey number, which the New York Yankees officially retired in 1940.

The color scheme of the watch is built on silver, blue, and white shades, reminiscent of the legendary Yankees uniform pinstripes. The set includes two straps: a blue, white, and gray NATO strap, and a brown leather strap made from material mimicking a baseball glove, with white double stitching. On the case back is an engraving with the most evident tribute to Lou Gehrig, which is hidden when worn.

Final Thoughts on the Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition

Oris's limited models dedicated to significant baseball players do not claim revolutionary design solutions - they are classic Big Crown Pointer Date watches with subtle but expressive details emphasizing the connection with the heroes. However, it is the people, charitable missions, and stories behind these watches that make them sought after by collectors and fans.

If you missed the Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron limited editions, don't miss the opportunity to acquire the Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition.

Price and Availability of the Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition

The Oris Lou Gehrig Limited Edition model is already available for purchase in a limited run of 2,130 pieces.