While we Aussies huddle up for the coming winter, the 2024 Oris Aquis splashes down with two refreshingly new colours!
If you’re Australian – or just live in the southern hemisphere – summer is a distant memory to you. I’m more of a winter guy, but with summertime in the rearview, it almost seems like the holidays are never close enough. So why not put a smile back on your face with these new lively releases from Oris?
Whether you’re out at the beach or crouched in your blankets, these two new Oris Aquis models are bringing summer to you! Riding the wave of the Oris Aquis remaster (part of which we covered here, if you couldn’t spot the difference), these new renditions come in watermelon-inspired dials of both green and red.
Oris Aquis Green (Ref 01 733 7787 4138-07 8 22 04PEB) – Dial Close up 
Oris Aquis Green (Ref 01 733 7787 4137-07 8 22 04PEB) – Dial Close up
Additionally, the bezel of both Aquis models has been changed to white ceramic instead of black alongside colour-matched bezel text. In my opinion, black ceramic would have been too harsh, so the change to white gives both timepieces a friendlier and more playful look. I also noticed that the date wheel has also been reverted to white – a change I’m sure will confuse and perhaps dishearten those who loved the new Aquis’ colour-matched date wheels. However, I believe it adds to the overall aesthetic, as these watches were meant to pop, so Oris isn’t cutting any corners here.
Oris Aquis Green (Ref 01 733 7787 4138-07 8 22 04PEB) 
Oris Aquis Green (Ref 01 733 7787 4137-07 8 22 04PEB)
While the redesign is goofy and fun, don’t let the looks fool you. The Aquis is the Oris lineup’s frontrunner. Thus, they have been designed to be a serious watch when the need arises. These two references are built from the 41.5mm Aquis collection, which includes the aforementioned ceramic bezel, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and a super-capable 300m of water resistance.
As is standard with other 41.5mm Aquis models, the watermelon duo is powered by an Oris Cal. 733. Based on the Sellita SW200-1, the Cal. 733 is Oris’ Old Reliable,’ producing a 4Hz (28,800bph) beat rate atop 38 hours of power reserve. The Hӧlstein brand also calibrates and adjusts every Cal. 733 to reach a variance of -7/+12 seconds per day—a marked improvement on Sellita’s ∓ 12-second variance.
Final Thoughts
While not mild-blowing by any means, Oris yet again proves why serious watchmaking can be accessible to everybody. On top of that, they also reinforce that horology is no longer an old man’s hobby, injecting another much-needed dose of fun and playfulness into the watch world.
Oris’ philosophy for this year seems to be incremental change. Again, it’s not something that’s going to make headlines or break records, but it will be something that the watch community at large will thank Oris for focussing on. After all, the question has always been: “Is the Oris Aquis the watch for me?” Oris’ response? “We’ll make it the watch for you. Just give us time.”
References: 01 733 7787 4137-07 8 22 04PEB (Green)/01 733 7787 4138-07 8 22 04PEB (Red)
Specification
- Size: 41.5mm case diameter
- Case: Stainless steel
- Dial: Green or Red
- Crystal: Anti-glare sapphire, front and case back
- Water resistance: 300m (30 BAR)
- Movement: Automatic Cal. 733 movement
- Movement Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 VpH)
- Power reserve: 38h
- Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp
