SpotlightWatermelon Sugar High: The Oris Aquis Date ‘Taste Of Summer’

A few summers ago, English popstar Harry Styles and his friends in his 2021 Grammy Award-winning hit ‘Watermelon Sugar’ had us salivating for watermelons. Something about them frolicking on a beach, wolfing down neat slices of the fruit, suddenly turned this largest member of the melon family—otherwise noted for its weight, size, juicy crunch and lowering blood pressure—into an unassuming aphrodisiac. This summer, the fruit became the symbol of solidarity for Gaza for having the same colours as the Palestinian flag—green, black, red, and white—to subvert shadow banning and clampdown on the protests. Apart from brands like Huda Beauty that have openly extended their support for Palestinians, the fruit is being used an emoticon in tweets, protest banners, and even at the 78th edition of the Cannes film festival in 2024—one actress held a watermelon slice shaped clutch and another wore a gown in green, black and white on the ‘red’ carpet. The watermelon has also become a source of inspiration for Oris, who unveiled two new Aquis Date watches, titled ‘Taste of Summer’ in 41.5mm cases with cherry red and earthy green dials.

Oris Aquis Date Shop The Collection

Ceramic Meets Steel

The Oris Aquis Date is one of the brand’s signature collections that started out as a dive watch and has proceeded to acquire the status of an everyday tool watch, also wearable underwater. Styled like the 1970s’ sport-chic range of stainless steel watches, this line has evolved over time to blend original design with modern-day technological innovations for a sleeker fit. The 41.5mm Taste of Summer range also displays design tweaks such as slimmer silhouette at 12.9mm (a jumpdown from 13.3mm), tapered bracelet and crown protectors, white ceramic bezels, and brushed stainless steel bracelet with broader central links. These versions have the trademark unidirectional-rotating bezel with knurled edges, but this time topped by a ceramic insert with engraved minute scales matching the dial hue for vintage appeal.

Oris Aquis Date: Fresh Like Watermelon

The particular shade of red and green used on the new Oris Aquis Date dials match the exact tones of a ripe, plump watermelon. A distinct sunray finish originates from the coaxial on both Oris dials, which enhances this tonal vividity and sheen. Attention has been paid to tiny details, such as the Super-LumiNova-applied shield-shaped hour markers and Alpha-style hands, are designed to mirror each other through their shape, size and hue. Other contrasting elements are the brand logo, minute track, and a slim date aperture situated at six o’clock. Domed sapphire crystal with antireflective inner coating protect the dial and movement, via a display caseback.

While the larger 43.5mm Oris Aquis iterations run on the noted Calibre 400, the  41.5mm Aquis Date house an equally competent movement, the Sellita Calibre 733. Offering upto 41 hours power reserve, the winding automatic movement powers the hour, minute and sweeping seconds hands, stop seconds, and date with quick setting. A screw-in security crown further controls the dial’s timekeeping elements. Given the robust material and compact design, the watch promises upto 300m water resistance, as noted at the bottom of the dial.

The Oris Taste of Summer duo are secured to a three-piece stainless steel bracelet and complementary rubber strap with folding clasps. Summer or otherwise, the ‘watermelon’ Aquis Date 41.5mm iterations complement garments in bright primary hues or better, the same shade of red and green.