Here at WatchGecko, we’ve long been fans of the Oris selection of dive watches, particularly the evergreen Aquis. But as of recently, you can get it with quite a different look. Introducing the Oris Aquis Small Second Date, the latest iteration on a recognisable theme, but in a brand new size and with a few different upgrades.
At 45.5mm, the ‘seconds’ are the only small thing about it – this is going to be a watch that looks imposing. But while we’ve not yet seen it in the metal, my suspicion is that it will wear reasonably discreetly: because that’s what most Oris watches do. One art that Oris has mastered better than many other brands is the ability to take things to the limit, but not quite overstep the mark. And that’s a rare gift.
Oris Aquis Small Second Date - Credit Oris
This is the biggest Aquis yet, but it needs all that real estate to accommodate everything going on, with a small seconds dial at 9pm balancing out the date window at 3pm (which was previously located at 6pm).
The rest is comfortably familiar, with all the appropriate dive watch design language: including a deep blue colour inspired by the ocean, which extends to the bezel and blue rubber strap (available as an option as well as the classic stainless steel bracelet). Both have a folding clasp to make sure that the Aquis remains firmly anchored to your wrist.
Oris Aquis Small Second Date - Credit WatchGecko
This latest release also offers an enhanced degree of underwater kudos by being water resistant to a depth of 500 metres, whereas other Aquis date models offer ‘only’ a depth of 300 metres.
Naturally, there’s a generous helping of Super LumiNova to ensure clarity even in low light conditions, as well as everything else that we’ve come to expect such as a screw-down crown and uni-directional rotating bezel with matching ceramic insert. Keeping everything going is the Oris 743 movement, which gives you a power reserve of 41 hours.
Oris Aquis Small Second Date - Credit WatchGecko
At £2150 for the rubber strap version and £2300 for the metal bracelet, this is quite literally a lot of watch for your money.
We’re looking forward to trying it out.
