Preserving the ocean has been an integral part of the ethics of the Swiss independent brand Oris for many years, with many releases dedicated to the conservation of the world's waterways. However, Oris does not stop at merely drawing attention to environmental issues. After announcing its full climate neutrality, the company turned its attention to integrating recycled ocean plastic into its flagship Aquis dive watch line.
The Aquis line has occasionally released limited models featuring PET plastic elements extracted from the ocean, but in the brand's latest release, this colorful recycled material takes center stage in two new regular production variants. The new Oris Aquis Date Upcycle line, with its impressionistic color swirls reminiscent of fairy-tale fantasies and a bold environmental message, brings a new vibrant aesthetic focused on environmental conservation to the long-standing dive watch series.
Oris offers the Aquis Date Upcycle model with stainless steel cases measuring 41.5 mm and 36.5 mm in diameter. The semi-integrated design of the Aquis is preserved in both models, featuring square crowns, simple vertical case sides, and the brand's signature thick beveled lugs. As with previous Aquis models, both case options appear smaller on the wrist than they seem, thanks to a combination of factors such as sharply dropped short lugs and an overhanging bezel, which help visually compact the design. The unidirectional diving bezel on the Aquis Date Upcycle model appears more subdued than on the basic model shown in the photos. The neutral medium-gray insert is topped with an engraved white dive scale. Both case options feature mineral glass casebacks and boast a reliable water resistance of 300 meters.
Of course, the dials are the true focal point of the Oris Aquis Date Upcycle series. Each Aquis Date Upcycle is truly unique: the dial is made from recycled PET plastic taken from the ocean, in a random and picturesque combination of colors. The effect is striking, provocative, and truly unlike anything else on the market, going beyond promoting environmental goals and creating a dramatic visual statement. With an almost infinite number of color and pattern variations, the Aquis Date Upcycle watches may in the future become a stimulus for active collecting, as enthusiasts hunt for the perfect dial variant.
However, with the unpredictable combination of colors comes potentially unpredictable readability, as some dial patterns may make it difficult to read the text on the dial or the outer minute hand. In addition to this color-chaotic dial surface, the brand adds wide modernist alpha hands and brightly polished beveled indices to maintain the visual DNA of the Aquis line. The 6 o'clock date window of the Aquis Date Upcycle is likely to also become a point of contention among enthusiasts, as although this complication adds useful functionality, it also cuts into the unique dial surface.
Both versions of the Oris Aquis Date Upcycle use the automatic Oris 733 movement. Based on the Sellita SW200-1, the Oris 733 movement has been the mainstay of the brand's lineup for many years. Although it remains a reliable and affordable automatic movement, in terms of specifications, the movement may be starting to show its age: an average 38-hour power reserve at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour.
In terms of decoration, the overall look of the watch is minimal and focused on functionality, except for the signature bright red Oris rotor. Oris completes both versions of the Aquis Date Upcycle with its signature semi-integrated three-link stainless steel bracelet. The bracelet with polished outer links and a tapering profile gives the Aquis series a unique visual character, while providing a substantial wrist presence.
Bringing its environmental activism from the realm of limited editions into regular production, the Oris Aquis Date Upcycle marks not only a dramatic stylistic turn in the brand's modern dive watch line but also a significant milestone in its commitment to environmental issues.
The Oris Aquis Date Upcycle watches will be available at official dealers in September 2021 priced at $2,300 USD. More information can be found on the brand's website.