Oris continues its dedication to environmental preservation through its timepieces, launching the Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition in partnership with acclaimed underwater photographer Francis Pérez. This new offering not only introduces an updated aesthetic with a 41.5mm case and refined bracelet but also draws critical attention to the urgent issue of declining kelp forests. These submerged ecosystems are crucial for marine biodiversity and global carbon sequestration, making this watch a powerful symbol of ecological advocacy.
The watch itself features the refreshed 41.5mm Aquis Date design for 2024, showcasing enhanced proportions and a more ergonomically integrated lug structure, complemented by a redesigned bracelet. Encased in a brushed and polished stainless steel, it boasts a 300-meter water resistance and measures 12.9mm in thickness with a 49mm lug-to-lug distance. Essential dive watch features are included, such as a screw-in security crown with protective shoulders and a unidirectional rotating bezel adorned with a green ceramic insert and a precise graduated minute scale. The domed sapphire crystal, equipped with an anti-reflective coating on its inner surface, ensures optimal legibility. A distinctive kelp engraving graces the screwed stainless steel caseback, highlighting the watch's commitment to its namesake cause.
A striking ocean-green dial captures immediate attention, featuring a unique three-dimensional texture that mimics kelp fronds swaying gracefully beneath the waves. This design creates a dynamic play of green and gold hues as light interacts with the surface, evoking the natural beauty of kelp forests. The central hour and minute hands, along with the applied hour markers, are gold-outlined and treated with Super-LumiNova for excellent visibility in low-light conditions. Even the lollipop counterweight of the central running seconds hand glows with SLN treatment. The date aperture is thoughtfully positioned at 6 o'clock, maintaining a balanced and functional dial layout.
Driving this significant timepiece is the Oris calibre 733, built upon the reliable Sellita SW200-1 base. This automatic movement is responsible for the hour, minute, central seconds, and date indications. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a dependable 41-hour power reserve. A stop-seconds function is integrated, allowing for precise time synchronization. The watch is presented on a stainless steel bracelet that combines brushed and polished finishes, secured with a folding clasp that offers both a quick-adjustment system for comfort and a quick-change mechanism for versatility.
The Oris Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition, restricted to just 1,000 units, is available at a price of CHF 2,450. This release underscores Oris's consistent efforts to align its horological craftsmanship with meaningful global conservation initiatives, offering collectors a chance to own a beautifully designed watch that simultaneously supports crucial environmental protection efforts. This model continues Oris's tradition of creating special editions that not only excel in functionality and design but also champion ecological awareness and action, extending its influence beyond the realm of traditional watchmaking to foster a greater appreciation and protection of our planet's vital marine ecosystems.
