Oris is one of my favorite affordable Swiss watch brands.
Like many of you, I also appreciate watch brands that not only have a solid heritage and reputation but have remained independent throughout the years. The new Aquis Date model we're reviewing here is the culmination of all that, as it retains the classic Aquis design with a recycled plastic dial first introduced in 2021, but adds a few small changes that we'll discuss below.
Recycled materials and economical production are trending now, and even brands like Ulysse Nardin have jumped on board with their new Diver Net and Skeleton Ops - Oris enters the market segment by releasing the Upcycle version, which we are reviewing here.
Style and Materials
First of all, you might be curious about how this dial looks in real life, as it is made from recycled PET plastic sourced from the ocean. Honestly, after looking at it for some time, I couldn't quite catch any significant differences from real marble. If someone handed me this watch without specification details and asked me to guess the dial material, I would most likely assume it was natural marble, but I think the glossy polish helps in this case. If the dial had a matte finish, I think it would acquire a completely different look, likely plastic, which we would want to avoid in a watch at this price.
Of course, the dial is the main feature of the Aquis Date Upcycle, but in the new 2024 release, a few minor changes were made. For example, the date wheel is now in a “white on black” format to match the darker shade of the dial. The hands and markers have also been redesigned in a more modern style and improved readability. The bracelet, which has always been a strong point of the Aquis line, is now also slightly reduced in size and really provides the watch with a more elegant and comfortable fit on the wrist.
Predictably, there have been no radical style changes here. Watch brands like Oris know better than to make drastic changes to flagship models, preferring to refine them gradually over the years. The small updates here are made with great taste and complement the essence of the Aquis model - these are sporty and dive-capable watches that also look absolutely fantastic for everyday wear outside of the water.
Wearing Comfort and Movement
If you're familiar with the older generation Aquis model, there's nothing particularly new here. The case shape has hardly changed, and the new version is available in sizes 36.5 and 41.5 mm. The 41.5 mm version we see today is the size to aim for if your wrist is no less than 6.5 inches. For a watch of this size, they are quite compact thanks to the short and sharply angled lugs. The crown does not protrude much and is ergonomically placed on the sides of the case, giving the impression that the watch is smaller and also reducing the likelihood of catching on something.
The case thickness is just 12.6 mm, which is surprisingly thin for a diver of this classification, although I somehow feel it is thicker when I wear it on my wrist. Perhaps this impression is due to the slightly convex case back, as the top glass is actually flush with the bezel, and when you run your finger over it, there is no noticeable protrusion downward.
One of the important aspects of the Upcycle worth highlighting is the Sellita movement, specifically the Oris 733, based on the Sellita SW 200-1 with a 38-hour power reserve. Unfortunately, this model was never equipped with the in-house Oris 400 caliber, which is generally considered to outperform the 733 caliber. The only plus is the price, which keeps the Upcycle relatively affordable - 2300 USD compared to other Aquis options.