Hands-On Review of the All-New Oris Aquis Upcycle
It’s that time of the year folks. Watches & Wonders has kicked off with a bang and today we’re here with the Oris Aquis Upcycle - One of the many new editions of the newly revamped Oris Aquis Collection. The Upcycle has always been a popular model among enthusiasts due to the sustainability of the brand utilizing recycled plastic to create unique dials. For a lot of buyers, the watch is in demand for it’s “one-of-one” approach - Ensuring no two dials are the same. It’s a personal touch that’s always welcome when it comes to our watches. It was in demand enough that some enthusiasts had a hard time getting their hands on one when they launched, so with the newly remixed Aquis Collection, we see the return of the Upcycle, this time without being a limited model. We have the 43.5mm stainless steel in for review. So let’s get into it.
What exactly did oris change with the New aquis?
If you’ve been in the industry for any amount of time, you’ll know that the Aquis is, simply put, a staple in the mid-range luxury dive watch world. That being said, it’s seen a number of new releases, limited editions, and collaborations within the collection, while mostly remaining essentially the same profile, same case, same dial, and same bracelet. Well, Oris had changed it up a little bit giving the watch a more streamlined makeover that pushes the Aquis more into the luxury space and making the case for the Collection’s serious value proposition overall. That being said, there are 3 major overhalls to the dive watch that we feel are important to showcase.
The Oris Aquis Upcycycle Case:
The first, and arguably most notable change to the Aquis is the case. It’s been slimmed down quite a bit with a little more dramatic lugs making it look a bit more sophisticated than it’s older counterpart. Now, don’t get me wrong, the watch is still firmly an Aquis diver, but it feels a little more angular and fluid than the older ones. The one we have here is the newer sized Upcycle 43.5mm as opposed to the previously sized 41.5mm or 36.5mm versions. I found the watch overall ergonomic and easy to wear, I didn’t have to keep pulling the heavier stainless steel case back up onto my wrist as I often would with oversized divers. And I say that because 43.5mm would be a little larger than I would typically wear. The Aquis wasn’t uncomfortable, wore a little smaller than suggested, and with the reworked lugs and crown guards I didn’t necessarily mind the heft. This is a tool watch after all. Further, the brand offers the watch in multiple sizes - 43.5mm, 41.5mm, and 36.5mm respectively so if you’re looking for something a little smaller, there are plenty of options there for that. I think if I was going to pull the trigger, I’d settle on the 41.5mm which I imagine would feel like the sweet spot for a sporty diver.
The Oris Upcycle Dial:
As mentioned above, the brand uses a unique sustainable manufacturing process to create the Upcycle dials. Utilizing PET plastic, Oris molds and shapes each dial with different colors, that when combined, create a slew of different color options within the collection. Each Upcycle dial varies, and I found mine extremely legible despite all the different colors represented. Mine was mostly a blue-grey color, but there are a number of different options overall, and I find that pretty exciting.
Further, as far as the dial is concerned, each dial will have a matching date wheel on the Oris movement. Instead of a traditional white or black date wheel, each one will be more correctly matched to the dial color of each Aquis. Additionally, the text and indices have been refined and updated to be what I found to be more contemporary.
The Oris Upcycle Bracelet:
The third major update to the Aquis Collection is it’s bracelet. The three-link bracelet has been reworked to feature a wider center link - Allowing for a more dramatic taper to the clasp. To me, this is one of the most notable updates to the Aquis, as the older bracelet was a bit more clunky compared to the new and improved one. The Calibre 400 models of the Aquis will come with the quick change bracelet and strap mechanism, with the brand’s patented quick adjust clasp. This allows the wearer to simply slide the clasp into one of three positions to become tighter or looser respectively. Overall, the bracelet feels much more refined, and the improvements were welcomed.
Inside my version of the Oris Aquis Upcycle is the Seillita SW200-based Oris 733. The movement is fairly pedestrian, featuring a 38 hour power reserve beatuing at 4-Hz. Though, the Aquis Collection also allows the inclusion of the In-House Calibre 400 - A much more attractive offering that I feel is worth the price bump. The COSC Certified Calibre 400 features an enormous 120-hour power reserve and is all around a more attractive movement.
So that’s it. The updated Aquis Collection in a nutshell. Personally, I feel like the upgrades are more than welcomed, as the Aquis Collection has definitely been solid, but lacked some of the refinements that would have firmly rooted it into the luxury segment. The Upcycle I was able to put hands on definitely felt like it was punching above it’s weight class and that makes me excited to see what else Oris has up their sleeves for future collections.
How much is the Oris Aquis Upcycle?
Price for the watch is CHF $2,450 with the Oris 733, and CHF $3,750 USD for the Calibre 400.
