SpotlightChange—The Only Constant: The Oris Aquis Gets An Update At Watches And Wonders 2024
With a slimmer profile, and redesigned elements including the lugs and dial feature, the new 2024 Oris Aquis Date is a subtle but sure step ahead in the evolution of the brand’s bestselling collection. Along with a far more distinctively new 36.5mm version, and a new Upcycle edition, this is the new Aquis
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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.
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.
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. While the new 43.5mm version is powered by the in-house five-day automatic calibre 400, the new 41.5mm houses the Sellita-sourced calibre 733. This makes sense, as 41.5 is a bigger crowd pleaser, and 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 calibre 400 in the 43.5.
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.
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, 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.
