Back in 2016, Oris released the Carl Brashear Limited Edition as a bronze addition to the brand’s beloved Diver Sixty-Five line. Ever since, the watch has become a go-to recommendation for dive watch enthusiasts looking to add a bronze timepiece to their collection ? that is, if you were somehow able to find one. Earlier today, in anticipation of Baselworld, the independent brand out of Holstein, Switzerland unveiled the Carl Brashear 2.0. The big difference" This time around it’s a chronograph.

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty details of the watch?s background and technical development, let?s recap just who Carl Brashear was and why the name might sound familiar to you even if you?ve never stepped a foot into the ocean. Carl Brashear was the first African-American to become a certified U.S. Navy Diver back in 1954. In 1970, he became the first African-American to reach the rank of U.S. Navy Master Diver despite losing one of his legs in the aftermath of the 1966 Palomares Incident (Brashear was later awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions). His motto ? ?It?s not a sin to get knocked down; it?s a sin to stay down? ? can be found on the caseback of both the original time-only Carl Brashear and the new chronograph version. His biggest moment in the spotlight, however, just might be when Cuba Gooding Jr. took on the role of Brashear in the 2000 film, Men of Honor. If you look closely, you can see Brashear’s mantra surroundi...