ReviewFrom Plastic To Fantastic: The New Oris Aquis Date Upcycle With A Sustainable Style Upgrade

As with other industries, a section of investors and customers in the horological market are putting pressure on watchmakers to play a role in mitigating the climate change crisis. Oris have become one of the key Swiss watchmakers to have taken this feedback seriously for decades now, from their work with non-profit organisations to heavy investments in globally impactful measures that will help them conduct their business more sustainably. Already certified as a climate-neutral company, Oris have led the Change for the Better programme—an ambitious mission developed around the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Following the revamp of their Aquis collection that was unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2024, Oris extended their Aquis Date Upcycle line-up, now hosting four new watches. This includes the flagship 43.50mm timepiece powered by the Calibre 400, and 43.50mm, 41.50mm, and 36.5mm iterations that run on the Calibre 733-1 Swiss-made automatic movement. Each Upcycle timepiece features a one-of-a-kind dial crafted from recycled PET plastics, ensuring no two look identical, offering each Upcycle watch its own unmistakable sense of individuality.

An Everyday Tool Watch With A Cause: The Oris Aquis Date Upcycle

Three years ago, Oris made a significant stride in its sustainability efforts with the Aquis Date Upcycle under their core dive watch series. Available in 36.5mm and 41.50mm when first launched in 2021, the Upcycle editions feature dials crafted from recycled ocean plastics. With this move, Oris got into repurposing ocean waste and creating distinct and vibrant characters for their Upcycle watches, thanks to the brand’s manufacturing process that randomises the dial design using PET plastics.

Like its 36.5mm and 43.50mm siblings, the 41.50mm Aquis Date Upcycle comes equipped with a ceramic minutes scale top ring

The see-through caseback of the 41.50mm Aquis Date Upcycle offers a view of the automatic Calibre 733-1 movement, beating at a 4Hz frequency

Oris Aquis Date Upcycle Shop the Collection

All four new Aquis Date Upcycles have multi-piece stainless steel cases. The 36.5mm, 41.50mm, and 43.50mm Upcycle iterations come equipped with a ceramic minutes scale top ring, while the 43.50mm watch driven by the Calibre 400, features a tungsten minutes scale top ring. All four watches have antireflective domed sapphire crystals on the dial and caseback. Paired with a stainless steel bracelet, the watches offer 300m water resistance for a spectacular underwater performance.

The new Aquis Date Upcycle watches pack a strong visual punch. They feature date wheels that seamlessly blend with the recycled plastic patterns on the dial. The Alpha hands and shield-like hour markers also lend a contemporary edge to the Upcyles. Coming to the case profile, it has been slimmed down and coupled with the sculpted lugs for a more ergonomic silhouette. Completing this makeover is the new bracelet with a wider, brushed centre link that tapers towards the clasp, giving it a sleeker look and feel. Lastly, the patented quick adjustment clasp system has three adjustment positions to easily tighten or loosen the fit with a pinch-and-slide action.

The Aquis Date Upcycles, including the 43.50mm, boast a dial featuring matching date wheels that blend with the recycled plastic patterns on the watch face

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The new design's Alpha hands and shield-like hour markers are amongst other design codes that make the Aquis Date Upcycle even more contemporary

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The case profile of the new Aquis Date Upcycle has been slimmed down and coupled with the sculpted lugs for a more ergonomic silhouette

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The Aquis Date Upcycle 43.50mm, 41.50mm, and 36.5mm are powered by the Calibre 733-1 Swiss-made automatic movement

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The Aquis Date Upcycle's hands and hour markers are filled with Super-LumiNova, ensuring easy readability even in low light conditions

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Originally released as a highly functional diver’s watch, Aquis has evolved into an all-rounder, everyday watch that still somehow preserves the original design language. It’s the little things that make a big difference, and likewise, Oris invented a new kind of sustainable packaging to support its Emissions Reduction Programme. Made from recycled materials, it packs down flat to cut down on shipping emissions.

The Reliability Of In-House Movements

The 733-1 automatic winding movement powers the 36.5mm, 41.50mm, and 43.50mm Upcycle versions. This engine beats at a frequency of 4Hz and delivers a 41-hour power reserve. On the other hand, the high-frequency manufacture Calibre 400 powers the other 43.50mm version and achieves a massive power reserve of around 120 hours. Both movements enable various functions, like central hands for hours, minutes and seconds, date window at six o’clock, instantaneous date, date corrector, fine timing device, and stop-second.

Three Aquis Date Upcycles are powered by the Calibre 733 with a 41-hour power reserve, while another 43.50mm Upcycle draws power from the Caliber 400 with a 120-hour power reserve

Oris Aquis Date Upcycle Shop the Collection

With the Aquis Date Upcycle, Oris have carried forward their mission, which is to prove that style, performance, and environmental responsibility can all be worked out in a single watch. Sure, a single watch cannot fix the plastic crisis, but the Aquis Upcycle is a step in the right direction. It gets people talking about the climate crisis and gives buyers a chance to make a difference through this wrist accessory. Oris thus give us a well-made, high-functioning timepiece that also happens to be kind to the planet.