The colorful upcycled dial will catch your eye. A review of the newly redesigned Oris Aquis Date!

We will be wearing and reviewing the upcycled dial model of Oris's new Aquis Date, released for 2024. We will explore the current state of the Aquis Date, which has undergone minor changes without changing the basic design, and the appeal of this unique dial, created by Oris, a company that is actively involved in environmental protection activities.

The new Aquis Date embodies Oris's seriousness

With Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024 now over, many new products have been released by various companies this year. While the term "new products" can refer to a variety of different models, including new collections, variations on existing collections, and redesigns of existing collections, the differences between the old and new models are usually obvious at a glance, but this year's new models were an exception: Oris's Aquis Date diver's watch. After the new model was announced, I compared photos of the old and new models on my computer screen, but I was unable to completely spot the differences.

　Based on the press release, the main changes include revised lug and bracelet shapes for a better fit, revised crown guard shapes for improved safety, revised indices and hands for improved legibility, and the adoption of an athletic font for the date disc that matches the dial color. After taking this information into account, if you compare the old and new models side by side at a watch shop, you'll see that while the changes are minor, they've actually involved revisions to almost every part of the exterior.

　As a writer, I wondered why they made such a thorough and unassuming model change. Even if it was just a minor change to the shape, it would still cost a fair amount to create new molds and jigs to manufacture the parts, and to carry out additional processing. To recoup the costs incurred, the product must sell. However, if the changes were minor, it would be difficult to appeal to users of the previous model. Conversely, if they made more dramatic changes, they could expect last-minute demand for the previous model, and the buyer pool would also expand.

　This is just my imagination, but perhaps Oris places more importance on increasing future value than on current sales. Frequent model changes that change the impression of the collection would shake up the core of the collection and prevent the brand's iconic models from developing. By continuing to make steady updates, they are likely solidifying their foundation as a historic watch brand. This is especially true for Aquis, a relatively young collection that was launched in 2011. They identify areas that need improvement and eliminate them one by one. This attitude conveys the earnestness that is typical of Oris. It is a strategy that is typical of an independent brand that is able to take a long-term perspective.

　The Aquis Date is a familiar new model. We would like to check how well it has matured by looking at a real watch. The model we will be reviewing this time is the 41.5mm case with an upcycled dial.

A unique marble pattern

　The greatest feature of this model is the dial, which is made from upcycled recycled PET. Upcycling is the process of transforming something that would otherwise be discarded into something with added value. In addition to this, Oris has collaborated with Cervo Volante, a company that uses the leather of deer that have been exterminated as pests, to use leather straps that make use of the natural texture of several models, which is also an example of upcycling.

　The colorful dial of this watch was created in collaboration with #tide. The material is marine plastic waste. Ocean plastic waste is a serious environmental problem, and Oris has transformed it into an attractive dial. Due to the manufacturing method, no two dials have the same pattern.

　The dial, with its complex blend of various hues such as red, blue, and white, may seem cluttered, but it is surprisingly easy to read. The secret lies in the design of the indexes and hands. The shield-shaped indexes are cut diagonally so that they slope inward, and a wide strip of luminous paint is applied to the center. The alpha-shaped hour and minute hands, which are also coated with luminous paint, are made easy to distinguish by making the hour hand thick and the minute hand thin and long. In addition to being highly legible, another important point is that there are no burrs on the indexes or hands. If burrs were left on the sides of these, they would scatter light and give the impression of being rough.

Iconic lugless case

　The Aquis is a diver's watch characterized by its lug-less case design. In this renewal, the shape of the lugs, crown, and crown guard has been revised, but the basic design has not changed since its release in 2011.

　The case, with its sharp, precise edges, is primarily satin-finished, with a polished finish at the top of the surface where it joins the bracelet. While practical sports watches are often given a coarse satin finish, the satin finish on this watch is relatively thin and delicate.

　The unidirectional rotating bezel also gives a sharp impression. The non-slip edge has a sharp edge, and the polished ridges and matte finish on the valleys add a sense of contrast. The ceramic insert is gray in color, giving a soft impression. The white scale is clear, and there is no misalignment when the bezel is turned. The operation is very light and precise, with 120 clicks per revolution.

　The crown guard is a separate part from the middle case and is secured with a screw. It protects the base of the crown securely while keeping its thickness to a minimum without sacrificing operability, a consideration typical of Oris, a company accustomed to making practical watches. Even when adjusting the time, the crown guard never felt like an obstacle.

　The case back is see-through, allowing you to see the Cal. Oris 733 movement with its signature red rotor. Even though this is a highly waterproof diver's watch, it still has a see-through case back, which is a delight for anyone who loves mechanical watches.

　The stainless steel bracelet is made up of three links. The center is satin-finished, while the sides are polished, giving it an elegant impression. The buckle is thick, balancing the weight of the case while increasing its rigidity. It features a three-fold clasp that opens with a push button, making opening and closing the buckle smooth. The wrist size can be slightly adjusted by inserting the spring bar through the hole on the side of the buckle or by expanding the extension. Incidentally, the buckle of the Cal. 400 model or the 36.5mm case model features a quick-adjust clasp system that allows fine adjustment with one touch. It would have been even better if this model had also been equipped with a similar modern fine-adjustment mechanism.

A colorful face that's fun to wear

　The case diameter of this watch is 41.5mm, but as you can imagine from the lugless case design, it feels slightly smaller when actually worn on the wrist. With a typical watch, the lugs extend from the case and connect to the strap from their tips, but with the Aquis, the strap connects directly from the case, making it easier to follow the curves of the arm.

　As mentioned above, the colorful dial ensures sufficient visibility. The date display is also easy to read, making it a fully functional watch.

　Above all, a dial that makes you feel happy just by looking at it is simply good. I've been rather conservative when it comes to dial colors, preferring black, white, or blue, but wearing this watch made me realize that I need to reconsider that.

　The grey ceramic insert also works well. If the marbled dial and the hard stainless steel case were directly connected, the gap would feel out of place, but the grey in between perfectly offsets that feeling.

Oris' philosophy: "Go your own way"

　The upcycled dial is a distinctive feature of this watch. Frankly speaking, I can't deny that it seemed a bit odd at first glance. However, the more I looked at it and used it, the more I realized its hidden charm, which strongly reflects the world we live in today.

　One of the benefits is that it raises awareness of environmental issues not only for the user, but also for anyone who learns about it. The colorful dial is eye-catching and will help create conversation, which will naturally lead to a discussion about marine plastic waste. Through its users, Oris can raise awareness of environmental issues at large.

　Another appealing feature is that it makes the dream of owning a watch that's just yours come true. Each upcycled dial, made from recycled PET in a variety of colors, has a different pattern. In today's world, where we can tell the time without relying on a watch, watches have become increasingly used as a tool to express the user's individuality. If that's the case, then it's natural to want to have a watch that's just yours. However, one-of-a-kind unique pieces are generally very expensive and not easily accessible. The great appeal of this watch is that it makes that dream come true at an affordable price.

　And we must not forget Oris's commitment to steadily improving the quality of its watches. To reiterate, this is a new model released in 2024. At first glance, you won't notice any difference from the previous model, but there have been subtle improvements to the indexes, hands, case, and bracelet. Even without comparing it to the previous model, you can clearly see that the level of perfection has reached a new level.

　"Go your own way" is Oris' philosophy. The company, which incorporates the values ​​it holds dear and develops a core lineup, will continue to forge ahead on its own path and make steady progress.