Oris Aquis Kelp Forest Limited Edition: Deep Dive

Limited to just 1,000 pieces, the new Oris Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition lands with a price of $2,950. It pairs the brand's proven dive watch platform with a highly specific conservation story, realized through a unique 3D-printed dial. The watch builds on the core Aquis identity while pushing its aesthetic into new, more expressive territory. The Aquis line has long been a cornerstone for Oris, representing a modern and capable Swiss diver. While previous releases we've covered, like the refined Oris Artelier Complication, showcase the brand's skill with dressier pieces, the Aquis is their primary tool watch. This Kelp Forest edition sits apart from standard models like the Divers Date 39mm by tying its identity to a singular, artistic concept. This isn't just a new colorway. Oris uses a 3D-printing process to create a dial that simulates the organic texture of kelp fronds swaying underwater. It’s a design choice that will make any dialhead look twice, moving the watch from a simple instrument to a narrative piece.

The Aquis Kelp Forest Limited Edition (Ref. 01 733 7787 4187-Set)

The foundation of the watch is the familiar and robust Aquis platform. It retains all the specifications that make the Aquis a serious contender in the sub-$3,000 dive watch category. The execution, however, is what sets this reference apart.

Case, Crystal, and Dimensions

The watch uses a multi-piece stainless steel case measuring exactly 41.50 mm in diameter. This size positions it as a modern diver that fits a wide range of wrists, avoiding the larger dimensions of some professional models. The interhorn width is 22 mm, providing a solid stance for the integrated steel bracelet. A domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inside protects the dial. Placing the AR coating on the interior is a practical choice. It reduces glare without exposing the coating to potential scratches from daily wear.

A Dial Inspired by the Deep

The dial is the watch's defining feature. Rendered in a deep green, it has a textured, almost organic pattern meant to evoke the look of a kelp forest. This 3D effect gives the dial a visual depth that shifts with the light, a significant departure from the typical sunray or matte finishes found on standard Aquis models. Gold-toned hands and applied indices complement the green dial, all filled with Super-LumiNova for low-light legibility. A date window sits cleanly at 6 o'clock, maintaining the dial's symmetry.

Oris Dive Watch Credentials

This Aquis is water-resistant to 30 bar, which is equivalent to 300 meters. This is a professional-grade rating suitable for recreational and serious scuba diving. A unidirectional rotating bezel with a green ceramic insert allows for tracking elapsed time underwater. Ceramic is used for its high scratch resistance and resistance to fading from UV light. The case back is solid stainless steel, screwed down to ensure water tightness. It features special engravings related to the kelp forest theme and the individual limited-edition number out of 1,000. A screw-in security crown, protected by integrated guards, completes the robust build.

The Oris Caliber 733-1 Movement

Inside is the Oris Caliber 733-1, an automatic movement based on the well-established Sellita SW200-1. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 A/h (4 Hz) and offers a 41-hour power reserve. This caliber provides central hours, minutes, and seconds, along with an instantaneous date function and a stop-second mechanism for precise time-setting. While not an in-house, long-power-reserve movement, the Caliber 733-1 is a known quantity. Its reliability and serviceability are its main strengths, making it a suitable engine for a workhorse dive watch. The 41-hour reserve is sufficient for daily wear, though it requires winding if left off the wrist for more than a day and a half.

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