Oris Aquis Date Upcycle

Oris is a darling amongst watch enthusiasts today.

With hits such as the Diver 65, Aquis, and Big Crown Pilot line headlining their collection, a slew of awesome special limited-edition models released annually, and a decidedly community-facing way of doing business rounding them out, Oris is appreciated — if not beloved — by beginner and tenured collectors alike.

The Aquis serves as one of the foundational models that has seen an array of different case sizes, complications and dial configurations. This Oris Aquis Date is yet another extension of the brand's 'Change For The Better' campaign and contribution to environmental conservation while simultaneously leading the way for the entire watch industry to follow.

This piece features a 41.5mm stainless steel case with a domed sapphire crystal, signed screw-down crown and a 'ghost' ceramic rotating timing bezel. Powered by the Calibre 733-1 self winding movement, this piece comes equipped with a multi-link stainless steel bracelet with a signed push-button deployant clasp.

The dial is composed of recycled PET plastic with each dial having its own pattern of blue, red and purple tones. Buoyed by applied lumionus markers, matching handset and a date window at 6 o'clock, this dial is a badge of dedication for what matter most to the brand hailing from Holstein.

Certainly the brand's flagship, professional dive watch, this Aquis Date has all elements of a versatile piece with let-your-hair-down looks. Accompanied with a complete kit, this piece is easily a winner in our books.

Like so many other Swiss watchmaking dynasties, Oris was nearly put out of business by the Quartz Crisis — the proliferation of cheap, mass-produced, battery-powered watches from Asia. But, much to the delight of mechanical watch devotees the world over, the company endured.

Founded in Hölstein in 1904, Oris quickly grew to become a horological powerhouse, employing some 300 people by 1911 across multiple facilities. By 1936, upon the opening of its own dial factory in Biel/Bienne, Oris was producing nearly all its own components in-house. In 1938 the firm debuted its signature Big Crown pilot’s watch, which forms the basis of the brand’s modern catalog. With its dealer network compromised by the Second World War, Oris survived by manufacturing alarm clocks.

The turning point came when the Quartz Crisis hit Switzerland in the late 1960s, by which time Oris employed some 800 people and manufactured 1.2 million watches per year, making it one of the largest watch manufacturers in the world. By 1970, in a bid for survival, the company joined the precursor to the Swatch Group and began manufacturing quartz watches. However in 1982, the company’s managing director and head of marketing took over the firm, rendering them independent once more. They abandoned quartz altogether by the 1990s.

In 2014, Oris introduced its first in-house mechanical movement in decades in celebration of 110 years of watchmaking. In 2020, they introduced the Calibre 400, a movement with a 5-day power reserve and a 10-year recommended service interval. Today the company makes professional diving, aviation, motoring and other adventure watches for enthusiasts at relatively affordable price points, while their support of conservation initiatives the world over continues to delight their highly dedicated fans.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.