SpotlightChange—The Only Constant: The Oris Aquis Gets An Update In 2024

It takes a lot of thought and consideration to build a brand and product offering that will be distinctive, instantly recognisable, and a brand signature. Once that is achieved successfully, the objective is usually to retain those qualities even with the evolution of the product line. If too much changes too soon, the brand identity is lost and so is the signature. Yet, change must remain a constant. Updates and upgrades are necessary for growth. Even bestselling products need it every now and then. And this year, it’s time for Oris to give their bestselling collection an update. With subtle changes the new Aquis Date dive watch is the latest modern take on the everyday tool-watch from Oris. And it’s a fine update indeed.

The Sleeker New Aquis

The first thing you’ll notice in this update is the profile of the watch. It’s sleeker and slimmer than the Aquises that came before it. An extension of slimmer case are the lugs that have been sculpted in accordance with the redesign, for a more ergonomic feel, for added comfort. Aesthetics have also been a key factor in this redesign, with even the crown protectors reworked. And lending the silhouette of the watch an even more streamlined look is the bracelet that is more tapering than earlier, with the central links broader than before.

Redesigned elements include the typography of words and numbers on the dial, which will only be used for this collection. The date disc, seen through the aperture at six o’clock, in the same hue as the dial

There are also new ‘shield-shaped’ applied hour markers and custom alpha-style hands

Aesthetics have also been a key factor in this redesign, with even the crown protectors reworked

The bracelet features a diver's extension

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Re-sculpted and redesigned are the details of the dial as well. This includes the ‘shield-shaped’ applied hour markers and custom alpha-style hands, along with the typography of words and numbers on the dial, which will only be used for this collection. Adding to the cleaner, more integrated and streamlined look is the date disc, seen through the aperture at six o’clock, in the same hue as the dial.

The crown protectors and lugs of the new Aquis are re-scuplted

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The new Aquis Date mainline comes in blue, green and black

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The profile of the new Aquis is sleeker than before

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The bracelet comes with easy interchangeability

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New Aquis, Same Reliable Movements

All of this still runs on the same movements though—because why change the functioning machines if they’ve proven to be reliable. The new versions at 43.5mm as well as 41.5mm run on the Sellita-sourced calibre 733-1. Oris’s co-CEO Rolf Studer had once said, “We have the sourced movements, which help in keeping the cost down, allowing these good-quality mechanical watches to remain accessible.” Yet, there had to be a version that presented Oris’s own movement-making capabilities, hence there are also versions that are powered by the brand’s in-house five-day automatic calibre 400.

The new 43.5mm version is powered by the in-house five-day automatic calibre 400

The Elegant New Aquis And Upcycle

Smallest in size is the new 36.5, which is completely different from the above two mainline Aquises. Though this too is a proper dive watch, with 300m of water resistance, it is a more elegant Aquis. An instant differentiator is the minimalistic diver-timer scale—without numerals—on the unidirectional-rotating bezel.

And while the bigger Aquises still come in the standard bestselling hues—in blue, green or black, this small Aquis comes in black or white. Though the white dial is made from mother-of-pearl.

The new 36.5mm Oris Aquis Date, with a more elegant bezel

Featuring a different dial material altogether is the new Aquis Upcycle. Made from recycled plastic waste that is treated and compressed, among other processes, the colourful pattern is unique to each dial produced. Also in two sizes, like the mainline Aquises, this success story will continue as long as there’s a demand for them, the brand have stated, pointing out that this is not a limited edition.

Featuring a different dial material altogether is the new Aquis Upcycle. Made from recycled plastic waste that is treated and compressed, among other processes, each dial's pattern is unique

Also in two sizes, with their respective movement, like the mainline Aquises, this success story will continue as long as there’s a demand for them, the brand have stated, pointing out that this is not a limited edition

New Aquis, Same Signature

With the new Aquis Date and Upcycle, one might wonder why the 43.5mm size was retained, if things were pared down for ergonomics and aesthetics, given that it’s quite a large size, when so many brands are going down to even 39 and 38mm. It just goes to show that there is still a significant demand for a size as large as 43.5mm, even when smaller sizes seem to be preferred. With all the minutest details considered, Oris would certainly consider this as well. Ultimately, it comes down to not changing too much too soon. And the outcome is the renewed brand signature. It’s still the same, distinctive, instantly recognisable Aquis—only more refined and upgraded.