Introducing: The Oris Aquis Date Relief (Live Pics & Pricing)

January 23, 2019

Continuing what has become something of a tradition, Oris introduces another of its popular Aquis dive watches tied to an environmental cause and with unique visual cues. In the past weve seen Hammerhead and Staghorn coral editions, the Clipperton edition, and the Source of Life edition. Today marks the release of the Aquis Date Relief, which has the aim of raising awareness for the importance of the Earths fragile supply of freshwater (less than 3% of the worlds water is unsalted), and tied to the efforts of endurance swimmer, Ernst Bromeis. The watch itself features a sunburst grey dial, red seconds hand and, for the first time on an Aquis, a relief bezel. The relief bezel is new to the Aquis family, but not to Oris. Initial Thoughts Its easy to get inured to the causes watch brands tout, and the jaded among us might write them off as mere marketing ploys. But Oris has shown a consistency in aligning itself with lesser known, but no less important environmental awareness efforts instead of high profile celebrity driven ones. Have you ever heard of Ernst Bromeis? Me neither, but his work on freshwater awareness and the perils of pollution facing it are worthy of support. This summer, he plans to swim the 800-kilometer length of Lake Baikal in Russia, the worlds largest lake (by volume). OK, on to the watch. Though we havent seen a relief bezel on an Aquis before, Oris used to use this style on its old Big Crown divers of the 1990s, so this isnt some me too copy of a Yacht-Master. The combination of the radially finished slate dial with pop of red, topped with a steel bezel works well on the versatile Aquis platform. This might, in fact, be my favorite Aquis to date. The watch comes with one of two rubber straps, red or grey, a steel bracelet, or a grey leather strap. Personally, I think it works best on the red rubber, which I got to try on recently at an Oris press preview event.? The movement inside is the self-winding Oris 733 (Selitta base) with a date window smartly positioned at 6:00. The 43.5-millimeter steel case is big but Oriss trademark stubby lugs make it fit better than one might imagine, though you're stuck with their OEM straps. The Aquis Date Relief is water resistant to 300 meters, with plenty of margin for scuba diving and certainly fine for open water endurance swimming.? Short lugs make the 43.5mm case a comfortable fit on a variety of wrists. The Basics Brand: OrisModel: Aquis Date ReliefDiameter: 43.5mmCase Material: Stainless steelDial Color: GreyIndexes: AppliedLume: Indices and hands are Super-LumiNova BG W9Water Resistance: 30 bar (300 meters)Strap/Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet, rubber strap (red or grey), or grey leather The Selitta-based Oris cal. 733 drives the Aquis Date Relief. The Movement Caliber: Oris 733 (Selitta base)Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date window at six oclock, rotating elapsed time ring bezelPower Reserve: 38 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 4 Hz. (28,800vph)Jewels: 25 Pricing & Availability Price: Rubber: $1,800, Leather:?$1,850, Bracelet: $2,000Availability: January2019For more click here.