Oris Aquis Date Relief

In the competitive landscape of Swiss watchmaking, the independent spirit of Oris has long carved out a unique and respected niche. Operating from the same village of Hölstein since its founding in 1904, Oris has consistently championed a philosophy of creating watches with real-world utility, robust mechanical integrity, and an accessible value proposition. This approach has allowed the brand to cultivate a fiercely loyal following of enthusiasts who appreciate function and form without unnecessary pretense. The brand's motto, "Go your own way," is not merely a marketing slogan but a reflection of its independent manufacturing and design ethos, which shines brightly in its diverse collections.



Central to the modern Oris identity is the Aquis family of dive watches. Since its introduction, the Aquis has become a benchmark for what a contemporary, high-performance diving instrument can be. It masterfully blends rugged capability with a sophisticated design that feels just as appropriate hundreds of feet below the surface as it does in a boardroom. The collection is known for its distinctive case shape, exceptional water resistance, and clear, legible dials, making it a go-to choice for both professional divers and casual watch wearers alike. It represents the culmination of decades of Oris's experience in crafting underwater timekeepers.



Within this celebrated family, Oris occasionally introduces special iterations that offer a unique twist on the core design. The Aquis Date Relief is one such model, a watch that has garnered a dedicated following for its distinctive aesthetic. Now, following a successful and comprehensive redesign of the mainline Aquis collection, Oris has reintroduced the Aquis Date Relief, updating it with refined ergonomics and details while preserving the unique character that made the original so compelling. This second-generation model carries forward the spirit of its predecessor, offering a fresh yet familiar take on a modern classic.



The very name "Relief" points to the watch's most defining and visually arresting feature: its bezel. This is not simply a name chosen for its evocative sound; it describes the intricate manufacturing process and the resulting three-dimensional texture of the diving scale. The concept is a departure from the glossy, flat ceramic inserts that have become the standard for many modern dive watches, including others in the Aquis range. The choice to create a bezel in relief is a deliberate one, aimed at creating a different kind of visual and tactile experience for the wearer.



The case of the Aquis Date Relief serves as a formidable foundation for the entire watch. Fashioned from a multi-piece stainless steel construction, it measures a confident 43.50 mm in diameter. This size gives the watch a powerful presence on the wrist, befitting its tool-watch credentials, yet the design is executed with a nuance that prevents it from feeling unwieldy. The recent Aquis redesign, which this model inherits, focused on creating a slimmer and more ergonomic profile, ensuring that the watch hugs the wrist comfortably despite its substantial dimensions.



A closer examination of the case reveals the thoughtful engineering and finishing that Oris is known for. The characteristic Aquis lugs, which integrate seamlessly with the strap or bracelet, have been refined for a more elegant flow. Prominent, muscular crown guards flank the screw-down crown, providing essential protection against impacts that could compromise the watch's water-tightness. This feature is not merely aesthetic; it is a critical component for a watch rated to a depth of 300 meters, ensuring the internal mechanism remains safe from water ingress during serious aquatic activities. The 23 mm interhorn width is also a specific choice, creating a balanced and secure attachment point for the strap or bracelet.



The star of the show is undoubtedly the uni-directional rotating bezel. Instead of a ceramic insert, the Aquis Date Relief features a stainless steel bezel where the 60-minute dive scale is rendered in relief. The numerals and markings are raised from the sandblasted, matte background, creating a striking three-dimensional effect. This complex manufacturing process yields a result that is both visually and tactilely engaging. The way light catches the polished, raised surfaces against the muted background gives the watch a dynamic and industrial character.



This design choice is about more than just looks. The raised, polished numerals offer a different kind of legibility, creating sharp contrast and depth. Functionally, the bezel performs its crucial task with precision. It rotates in a single counter-clockwise direction, a vital safety feature that ensures a diver can only ever accidentally decrease, never increase, the measured dive time. The crisp, 120-click action provides tactile feedback that speaks to the quality of its construction, allowing for the precise setting of bottom times.



The dial of the Aquis Date Relief is a masterclass in focused, legible design with a distinct personality. It is presented in a deep, sunray grey, a color that is both versatile and captivating. The sunray finish causes light to dance across the dial, with rays appearing to emanate from the center pinion, giving the watch a sense of life and movement. This dynamic surface provides the perfect canvas for the stark, applied hour markers.



These markers, along with the bold hour and minute hands, are meticulously crafted and filled with a generous application of Super-LumiNova. This luminescent material ensures that the time is instantly readable in all lighting conditions, from the dim light of dusk to the darkness of the deep sea. Legibility is paramount in a dive watch, and the high-contrast combination of polished markers against the grey dial delivers it in spades.



Adding a vibrant and playful splash of color to this otherwise monochromatic palette is the "lollipop" central seconds hand. The hand itself is slender and polished, but it terminates in a circular tip filled with a bold red lacquer. This small detail has an outsized impact on the watch's overall character. Functionally, it serves as a running indicator, providing at-a-glance confirmation that the watch is operating correctly—a crucial reassurance for a diver. Aesthetically, it injects a dose of sporting energy into the design.



Further demonstrating Oris's attention to detail is the date window, located at the 6 o'clock position. Its placement maintains the symmetry of the dial, a feature appreciated by design-conscious enthusiasts. Critically, the date wheel itself is rendered in a matching grey with white numerals, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into the dial's color scheme rather than creating a jarring, mismatched cutout. It is a subtle but significant choice that elevates the cohesiveness of the overall design.



Protecting this carefully composed dial is a sapphire crystal that is domed on both sides. Sapphire is prized in watchmaking for its exceptional scratch resistance, second only to diamond, ensuring the watch's face remains clear and unmarred through years of active wear. The double-domed shape adds a touch of vintage character and enhances structural integrity, while also minimizing dial distortion when viewed from an angle. To further improve readability, Oris has applied an anti-reflective coating to the underside of the crystal, cutting down on glare and ensuring a crystal-clear view of the time.



Visible through a see-through mineral glass exhibition case back is the engine that powers the Aquis Date Relief: the Oris Caliber 733-1. This is a robust and reliable Swiss Made automatic movement, based on the highly regarded Sellita SW200-1, a caliber known for its workhorse performance and serviceability. The choice of such a proven movement underscores Oris's commitment to creating dependable, long-lasting timepieces.



The Caliber 733-1 performs all the essential functions a wearer needs. It drives the central hands for hours, minutes, and seconds, and operates the date complication. The movement features an instantaneous date change, meaning the date snaps over precisely at midnight rather than slowly rolling over. It also includes a fine timing device for precise regulation and a stop-second, or "hacking," function. This allows the seconds hand to be stopped when the crown is pulled out, enabling the user to set the time to the exact second.



From a technical standpoint, the movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), which results in a smooth, sweeping motion of the seconds hand. It offers a practical power reserve of 41 hours, meaning the watch will continue to run for nearly two days after being taken off the wrist. The most distinctive visual element of the movement is Oris's signature red rotor, which is clearly visible through the case back. This flash of red has become a modern hallmark of the brand, a symbol of its mechanical heart.



To complete the package, Oris offers the Aquis Date Relief on two distinct and compelling options, each giving the watch a different personality. The first, carrying the reference number 01 733 7789 4153-07 4 23 36FC, is a vibrant red rubber strap. This option directly ties into the red of the lollipop seconds hand, creating a cohesive and overtly sporty look. The high-quality rubber is comfortable, durable, and completely waterproof, making it the ideal choice for diving and other water sports. It is fitted with a stainless steel security folding clasp that ensures the watch remains firmly attached to the wrist.



The second option, reference 01 733 7789 4153-07 8 23 04PEB, is a robust multi-piece stainless steel bracelet. This bracelet transforms the watch, giving it a more classic and versatile feel that is suitable for any occasion. The construction mirrors the quality of the watch case, with solid links and a combination of brushed and polished surfaces that complement the watch head perfectly. It secures with Oris's well-engineered folding clasp, which includes a diver's extension system, allowing it to be easily adjusted to fit over a wetsuit.



As a second-generation model, this Aquis Date Relief benefits from the thoughtful updates made to the wider Aquis collection. The case has been subtly reshaped to be slimmer and more ergonomic, improving wearability without sacrificing its 300-meter water resistance or its rugged appeal. These refinements demonstrate Oris's commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that their watches not only look good but also feel great on the wrist. This evolution makes the watch a more sophisticated yet equally capable tool.



The Oris Aquis Date Relief is positioned as a compelling alternative for those who admire the Aquis platform but desire a different aesthetic from the more common ceramic bezel models. The relief bezel gives it a tough, industrial, and slightly retro-cool vibe that sets it apart. It is a watch for someone who appreciates texture, depth, and the intricate metalwork that has long been a hallmark of fine tool watch construction.



In terms of pricing and availability, Oris maintains its reputation for offering outstanding value. The Aquis Date Relief on the red rubber strap is priced at $2,400 USD, while the version on the stainless steel bracelet is priced at $2,600 USD. The watch comes with a standard two-year international warranty, which can be extended to three years for free by registering the watch with the MyOris program. This combination of distinctive design, robust Swiss Made mechanics, and fair pricing makes the new Aquis Date Relief a standout option in the crowded field of modern dive watches, and a testament to the enduring appeal of going your own way.



Case: Multi-piece stainless steel case; 43.50 mm diameter; Uni-directional rotating bezel with minutes scale in relief; Sapphire crystal, domed on both sides with anti-reflective coating inside; Screwed stainless steel case back with see-through mineral glass; Water resistance 30 bar (300 metres); 23 mm interhorn width.

Movement: Oris Caliber 733-1 (base Sellita SW200-1); Automatic winding with red rotor; 41-hour power reserve; 28,800 vph (4 Hz); Functions include centre hands for hours, minutes, seconds, date window, instantaneous date, date corrector, fine timing device and stop-second.

Dial: Sunray grey dial; Applied indices and hands with Super-LumiNova; Red 'lollipop' central seconds hand; Date window at 6 o'clock with matching grey date wheel.

Strap: Available with a red rubber strap with security folding clasp (Ref. 01 733 7789 4153-07 4 23 36FC) or a multi-piece stainless steel metal bracelet with folding clasp and diver's extension (Ref. 01 733 7789 4153-07 8 23 04PEB).

Price: $2,400 USD on rubber strap; $2,600 USD on stainless steel bracelet.

Reference Number: 01 733 7789 4153-07 4 23 36FC (Rubber); 01 733 7789 4153-07 8 23 04PEB (Steel).

Notes: The watch's signature feature is the stainless steel bezel with its three-dimensional minutes scale in relief, offering a tactile and rugged alternative to typical ceramic inserts. This second-generation model is based on the updated, slimmer Aquis case design.