Oris has always made watches for the people – functional and packed with additional features that ground the watch in reality, tying it back to the theme at hand. Many of the models are truly utilitarian, no-nonsense pieces that bring added value through their engineering and design – whether it is a classical piece from their Artelier collections, or equipped with a super functional movement like the recently unveiled Aquis Date Calibre 400. In 2021, Oris continues this notion with the release of the Aquis Dat Watt Limited Edition, AquisPro Date Cal. 400 and the Divers Sixty-Five ‘Cotton Candy’ Series of watches.
Aquis Dat Watt Limited Edition
Aligned with the brand’s “Change for the Better” projects spanning the globe, the Aquis Dat Watt Limited Edition pays tribute to the Wadden Sea – a region of the ocean that spans three countries: Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands. It is an area that covers around 11,500 sq m, that is vital to over 10-12 million migratory birds that use it as a feeding point during their seasonal journeys. It is also a place that features an incredible amount of biodiversity – its salt marshes host over 2300 species of flora and fauna and a further 2700 species in the marine and brackish areas. To say that this area is important to global biodiversity would be an understatement. This is why for 2021, Oris and the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS) have partnered up to bring awareness to this area vital to Earth’s ecology.
The Aquis Dat Watt Limited Edition is named after a local dialect for the Wadden Sea, and is design is based off of the tough and familiar Aquis Date watch with a 43.5mm stainless steel case. An attractive dial with a gradient finish goes from blue to gray, top to bottom, and is surrounded by a grey ceramic bezel insert with the dive timing indications, as well as the date at 6 o’clock. What is most peculiar is the dial markings that are on the inner part of the dial – Oris has developed a “Pointer Moon” function, that is essentially a moon-phase indicator. Additional markings indicate the tidal depth range of the water for a given day of the 29.5 day lunar cycle – the relative tidal depth is then read through where the pointer intersects with the “figure-of-eight” line.
The caseback is engraved in relief with a scene of the Wadden Sea at night with the moon in full view, and the case is rated to 300m water resistant. The watch is delivered on a stainless steel bracelet with an extension clasp, and is limited worldwide to 2009 pieces worldwide, signifying the year in which the Wadden Sea was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
AquisPro Date Cal. 400
Oris furthers their professional diver offering through the new AquisPro Date Cal. 400, a watch that carries over their tried and tested diving features with the new Calibre 400 with additional functionality.
The watch is a beast crafted in stealthy DLC coated titanium, with an imposing 49.5mm diameter – this however, should be a wearable beast, given the short lugs of the AquisPro case.
Its unidirectional rotating bezel is in ceramic, with white and yellow markings for low-light visibility, and is equipped with Oris’ patented Rotation Safety System (RSS). This is a locking system that ensures that the bezel does not move once set, and features large grooves for grip. The black rubber strap is secured with a DLC coated titanium deployant clasp, featuring an adjustment system that can be adjusted whilst on the wrist. The strap also features the Oris Safety Anchor that ensures that if in the event of an accidental opening of the deployant clasp, the strap will be caught in the clasp and not undo itself, preventing the watch from falling into the deep abyss.
Housed within the new AquisPro Date is the recently unveiled Calibre 400, boasting a 5 day power reserve, anti-magnetic components for better reliability, and a 10 year warranty upon registration with MyOris, giving its new owner peace-of-mind that their watch will remain dependable and functional for years to come.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five ‘Cotton Candy’
The ever popular Divers Sixty-Five collection gets the full bronze treatment, just like the Oris Holstein Edition of 2020, but gives pastel colourways that brighten up the series.
This series of three watches is executed in all bronze – case, bezel and even the bracelet are hewn from this maritime material, although a brown strap with a bronze buckle is also available if bracelets are not your cup of tea. All are in the familiar Sixty-Five case shape at 38mm, with a domed sapphire crystal to give the vintage feel of an old-time dive watch. What has really brightened up this collection, however, are the dial options – available in sky blue, wild green or lipstick pink. These pastel colours really give this series a life of its own, and is whimsically named ‘Cotton Candy’ simply because Oris wanted to bring a little bit of joy back into our lives. Housed within the ‘Cotton Candy’ series is the Oris 733, a version of a Sellita SW 200-1 that has proven itself time and again to be a reliable workhorse movement.
Oris consistently bring us watches that raise awareness, are supremely functional or are simply fun to wear, and it is great to see that they continue their tradition of well engineered pieces for the watch-loving masses.