Oris redesigns its 36.5mm Aquis Date as it updates and expands the full series with new dials and four new ‘Upcycle’ models featuring dials made of recycled PET plastic.
Oris has reworked the lugs and crown protector on the Aquis Date to create a sleeker version of the best-selling sporty design, which also includes a newly tapered three-link steel bracelet with a wider central link.
In addition, Oris has re-proportioned the watch’s unidirectional rotating bezel and ceramic bezel insert while adding a newly polished hour markers to each dial.
To further enhance the series Oris has added new Aquis-only typography, new hands and a new date wheel with a background color matching the dial.
Multiple sizes
The re-designed Aquis Date collection offers a choice of movement and case size seemingly for every taste or wrist size.
The 36.50 mm size includes one option with a dial made of recycled PET plastic plus new black or cream-hued mother-of-pearl dials.
Oris explains that the re-designed 36.5mm models feature a ‘softer profile’ enhanced by a narrower uni-directional rotating bezel with a ceramic insert engraved with baton hour markers. These appear a bit lighter visually than the Aquis Date’s standard Arabic numeral minutes scale.
These newest options are in addition to more dial choices within existing 41.50 mm and 43.50 mm Aquis Date case sizes, all of which are newly available in a blue, green, black or PET plastic dial and powered by the Sellita-based Oris Caliber 733.
The flagship of the series remains the Aquis Date Caliber 400 43.50 mm, which is powered by the Oris in-house five-day, anti-magnetic Caliber 400 automatic movement.
This model is offered with new green, blue or PET plastic dial options. These Caliber 400 models include the patented Oris Quick Change Strap system and a stainless steel folding clasp with a patented quick adjust clasp system.
“Aquis is the cornerstone of our collection and a symbol of our joyfully sustainable approach to watchmaking,” said Oris Co- CEO Rolf Studer. “This new generation forms the next chapter in a great story that continues to make people smile.”
New packaging
Oris will box all the new Aquis Dive models in sustainable modular packaging made from low-weight, low-volume, recycled and fully recyclable cardboard and paper.
“Across the watch industry, packaging has one of the highest impacts on the environment of any of our activities, explains Studer. “Watch boxes are often heavy and take up lots of space on an airplane and then a lot of space in homes all over the world, without ever really serving a useful function. Many people throw them away.”
The newest Oris Aquis is priced starting at $2,500 for a Sellita-based movement edition with red Oris rotor) on rubber strap and $2,700 for a metal bracelet version, Upcycle models are $2,800.
New Oris Aquis Caliber 400 models start at $3,900 on a rubber strap and $4,100 on a metal bracelet, with Caliber 400 Upcycle models priced at $4,200.
A blue model pays tribute to the original color code of the Heuer Monaco. Here, gradient blue dial arches transition from light blue, an effect created through a painstaking anodizing process.
The white gold stand is decorated with a motif inspired by reeds and is attached to an oval base in silver obsidian. Inside Patek Philippe fits a manually wound movement with small seconds.
The vertically aligned layout features a mirror-polished power-reserve indicator at 12 o’clock and a prominent sub-seconds display at 6 o’clock.
