Oris Aquis Date

Those interested in diving watches can't help but come across the Swiss watch manufacturer Oris. They have been offering diving watches for more than 50 years. Since their introduction, the watches have been characterized by high functionality, distinct design, and fantastic value for money. This also holds true for the Oris Aquis Date.

In contrast to its vintage sister, the Oris Divers Sixty-Five, the Aquis Date has an overwhelmingly modern feel. Its imposing stainless steel case with a large screw-down crown and massive crown protector exudes both robustness and a certain masculine elegance. There's no need to look for superfluous baubles on this watch with a water resistance of 300 m (30 bar). Every feature is well thought out and functional, such as the unidirectional bezel made of scratch-resistant ceramic featuring a minute scale.

Protected by anti-reflective sapphire glass domed on both sides, even the dial feels tidy and straightforward. It features indices and hour, minute, and second hands coated with a generous layer of luminous material, as well as a date display at 6 o'clock – no frills necessary. The only element that comes off as a bit lavish is the mineral glass screw-down case back. Through it, you can observe the Oris caliber 733, based on the Sellita SW 200-1, with a stop-seconds mechanism and instantaneous date.

Despite its reductionist design, this watch is anything but boring. The collection currently contains 35 different variants. You can choose from numerous case sizes, dial colors, bands, and luminous material colors.

Oris introduced the latest edition of the Aquis Date in the summer of 2017. They are easy to spot thanks to the "Aquis" inscription on the dial. The manufacturer decided to stick with stainless steel for the case of this diving watch, though it is larger than previous models at 43.5 mm. This gives the crown protector a slightly thinner feel, yet it still adequately protects the crown. If you look at the unidirectional bezel a little more closely, you may notice a small gap between it and the case. This gap makes turning the bezel even easier.

There are three different dial options available for the current watches. The first version of the dial features a shimmering dark blue sunburst with contrasting silvery-white hands and indices. Thanks to a layer of SuperLuminova, these shine in bright blue in the dark. The same hands and indices are also found in the second version with a deep black dial. The third version is somewhat more eccentric. Its bright orange hands and indices stand out against a black dial. They glow in the dark with the help of a layer of SuperLuminova.

Oris offers all three with rubber, stainless steel, and – an uncommon feature in diving watches – leather bands. Plan to spend around 1,300 euros for a current Aquis Date with a black rubber or brown leather band. Versions with a blue rubber strap cost 1,390 euros, and those with a stainless steel bracelet go for about 1,400 euros.

Technically identical to the newest versions, the previous generation of 43-mm watches is only slightly smaller than the latest models. That being said, its wider lugs and angular crown protector give the watch a weightier appearance. The black dials are broken up by the yellow or orange second scale around their edge. The second hand also comes in a matching color with a SuperLuminova-filled dot on its upper third. The hour and minute hands are a contrasting silver color and, like the indices, have a good layer of SuperLuminova that glows light blue in the dark.

In terms of bands, you can choose between stainless steel and rubber. The rubber version is available in black, yellow, and orange. Prices for these watches range from 1,250 euros for the model with a black rubber strap up to 1,490 euros for the model with a stainless steel bracelet. If one of the orange or yellow straps is more your style, be sure to set aside around 1,400 euros.

Versions with a black coated stainless steel case and black rubber strap are especially eye-catching. The hands, indices, and the minute scale on the black ceramic bezel come in either turquoise or yellow. Thanks to a layer of luminous material, the indices and hands also glow in the dark in the corresponding color. Plan to spend about 1,250 euros for either model.

The main difference between the women's Aquis Date and the men's models is their size. The women's watch is powered by the Oris caliber 733, which is based on the SW 200-1. It has a stop-seconds mechanism and instantaneous date. The sapphire glass is domed on both sides and has an anti-reflective coating on the inside. These watches are also water resistant to 300 m (30 bar), and the red rotor can be observed through their mineral glass case back. The sizes vary only slightly. The latest models are 36.5 mm in diameter, while previous versions were 36 mm.

No matter which size you choose, you will have the choice between watches with rubber or stainless steel bands; black, blue, or white dials; and unidirectional bezels made of black ceramic, white ceramic, or golden cermet. Set aside around 1,250 euros for a current model in all white. The price for a model with a black bezel, blue dial, and stainless steel bracelet sits around 1,390 euros.

A version coated in black with blue or yellow hands and indices is also found in the women's collection. Once again, the size remains the only difference between it and the men's model. These 36-mm watches with a black rubber strap cost about 1,250 euros.