In line with their tradition of making watches in honor of iconic jazz artists, luxury Swiss watch maker Oris has created the Oris Thelonious Monk Limited Edition to salute one of the finest American jazz pianists and composers. Thelonious Monk was one of the guiding lights of modern jazz, remembered most for his masterly use of dissonance to set apart his music, a style defined by harmonies that are unstable within an overall harmonic context. In 1944, Monk wrote Round Midnight, which has since become the most recorded jazz standard composed by a jazz musician.
The Oris Thelonious Monk Limited Edition is a celebration of Monk’s distinctive style and talent. The 40mm steel watch has a sunray finished smoke blue dial with polished dots, and has the uncommon arrangement of 11 minute markers between the 10 and 12-hour markers, a nod to Monk’s dissonant technique.
On the reverse, the case back is engraved with the words MONK ALWAYS KNOW, referring to one of Monk’s many memorable quips inspired by the letters on his custom-made ring. To audiences, the ring appeared to say KNOW, but when approached, he would explain it read MONK.
The watch is presented in a wooden box with a satin grey lacquer finish and is limited to 1,000 pieces. It features an in house Oris Caliber 733 automatic movement. Each watch has a special engraved case back and engraved limited number and is fitted with a black leather strap with stainless steel folding clasp.
Over 100 years Oris has been making watches in Switzerland. Their watches are purely mechanical and are marked out by their distinctive design as well as the red rotor, the symbol of Oris mechanicals. Oris watches are also popular, as celebrities from Formula One, diving, jazz and aviation are among the loyal supporters of their unique creations.
