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The Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition is the latest special edition model in the popular Aquis GMT Date collection. Like the other editions, the watch has the typical genes of every Oris diver.
Good build quality, exquisite choice of materials and a focus on functionality are just three examples of why the traditional Swiss manufacturer has such loyal followers. What really fascinated me this time, however, was the subject matter. A very serious topic, which we should pay far more attention to than any tribute watch. The concern to protect the world’s oceans has been well realized in the design of the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition. Last but not least, this animal represents the endangered biodiversity of the oceans. 2650, – euros costs the model currently.
Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition Review
The Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition is a watch with a significant and at the same time alarming message. Its design is dedicated to the protection of species in the world’s oceans, which Oris supports and wants to bring more into focus with this special limited edition model. A story about a diver’s watch that is much more than an accessory….
Oris in the Uhrenlounge
I was kindly provided with the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition by uhrenlounge.de. The Uhrenlounge of Aika Jewelers from Dresden is specialized in online sales of watches from well-known manufacturers like Oris, Tissot, Hamilton or Seiko. At the end of my test you will find links to the store of the Uhrenlounge, where you can find Oris’ Whale Shark Limited Edition and many other timepieces! If you have any questions about watches, the competent customer service of Uhrenlounge is at your disposal.
A watch dedicated to the biggest fish in the world
The oceans are the origins of life. They cover a good three-quarters of the earth’s surface, contain almost all the planet’s water reserves and provide a habitat for millions of animal and plant species. Humans are also dependent on the sea. It seems almost grotesque, however, how predatorily and recklessly we use these precious resources that are essential for survival. We pollute the oceans, overfish them and drive countless species to the edge of their existence.
And yet we know so little about the oceans and their inhabitants. Because of that it is essential to understand how species live in order to identify how we can better protect them. Little is known about the whale shark, the largest fish on earth. Oris is now dedicating a diving watch to it, part of the proceeds of which will go to the work of brand ambassador Gerardo del Villar. Del Villar is a researcher and photographer. For 15 years, he has documented the lives of the gentle giants, which reach lengths of up to 14 meters and feed exclusively on plankton. “We are proud to work with Gerardo and support his work,” says Rolf Studer, co-CEO of the traditional Swiss manufacturer.
Limited to symbolic 2016 pieces, the special edition Oris Aquis Whale Shark is based on the already familiar Oris Aquis GMT Date. The number represents the year 2016, when the International Union for the Conservation of Nature published its Whale Shark Memorandum. An exciting story and hopefully a high quality dive watch – I’m curious.
The Unboxing
With excitement, I open the high-quality gray box sitting on my wooden table. Of course, the base model, the Aquis GMT Date, is not completely foreign to me. However, the unique dial design, which is supposed to be reminiscent of the skin texture of a whale shark, looked spectacular and unique in the press images I’ve seen so far. The watch comes with a booklet including a certificate. “One of 2016” – that’s what it says on the inside cover. I take number 1091 out of its packaging and free it from its protective foil.
The Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition is a handsome diver’s watch with Oris’ signature textured design, which in this case features an inner GMT ring and GMT bezel. However, the fresh new cyan blue shade looks much nicer than the navy blue of the base model, in my opinion. The dial is embedded in a solid stainless steel case, whose, minimalist shape blends into the links of the bracelet at the lugs. For the professional divers among you, a folding clasp including a diver’s bezel completes the overall picture. A neat first impression.
There is a 2-year warranty on the model with the reference number 01 798 7754 4175-Set, as I can see from the warranty card, which can be found quite stylishly in the double bottom of the packaging.
The Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition on the wrist
Oris’ latest Aquis special edition model is a true men’s watch not only because of its size. With its functional masculine design, the stainless steel timepiece is a real looker on the wrist. The 43.5 millimeters in diameter is nevertheless a well-proportioned and appropriate size that should suit the vast majority of you. In addition, the Oris Aquis Whale Shark is not too thick, even with a diving bezel and domed watch glass, which is why it sits sportily on the wrist.
When it comes to possible combinations with outfits, there are no limits to what you can do with the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition. Of course, a functional diver’s watch made of stainless steel is always and everywhere a great idea. Whether with a jacket, shirt or wetsuit – Oris knows how to make the Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition always look good.
The case – functional, but with lovely details
On the other hand, what about the inner values of the new Oris diving watch? Here, the solid 316L stainless steel case is a safe choice. It convinces with robustness, durability and a good quality of workmanship. For a diver’s watch, the question of water resistance is all-important. Oris specifies a load capacity up to a water pressure of 30 bar, which corresponds to a maximum diving depth of 300 meters. All in all, this is more than sufficient. To guarantee this value, Oris gives the case of the Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition. Among other things, a six-fold screwed case back, a screwed winding crown and a high-quality watch glass.
This is made of very hard and resistant sapphire, with which you do not have to worry about unsightly scratches. A quality feature of a good watch crystal is an existing anti-reflective coating. This can be found on the underside of the Oris Aquis Whale Shark. On dives and in high sunlight, it guarantees optimal readability. In addition, it simply looks more noble in my opinion! The quite large and due to the fluting very grippy crown is flanked by a crown protector. Damage on dives is thus avoided.
Even though functionality is the focus of the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition’s design, every now and then you’ll find small, lovely details that add a charming and personal touch. Perhaps the most beautiful of these details can be found when you take off the watch and look at the caseback. Here you’ll find an engraved, stylized whale shark, which underscores the significance of the special model and exudes maritime flair.
The Oris 743 automatic movement
Inside the new Oris works a caliber that the traditional Swiss company itself has christened the Oris 743. This Oris 743 is based on a Swiss SW 220-1 caliber from Sellita, modified for installation in the Oris Aquis Whale Shark. On the dial, the automatic movement offers a power reserve of 38 hours. In this respect, it certainly can’t keep up with the Calibre 400 recently introduced by Oris (which impressed me with a fabulous 120 hours of power reserve when I tested the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400). Nevertheless, it is of very good quality and convinces with values like reliability and longevity.
Dial, bezel and bracelet of the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition
Countless, small round nubs of various sizes adorn the dial. They are modeled after the characteristic skin of the whale shark and make quite a visual impact. The color of the dial, a dark cyan blue, is also reminiscent of the skin tones of the largest fish on the planet. Only a rectangular date window at three o’clock and an inner GMT ring interrupt the silhouette. The GMT theme takes an important part in the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition, as can be seen from the identifying orange color worn by the GMT hand and accents on the bezel.
Made of ceramic, the bezel itself is a colloquially known as the “Batman” bezel. It owes this nickname to its split black and blue color scheme. It is also equipped with Arabic numerals and can therefore additionally display a third time zone. Its quality is top notch. The clicks engage very cleanly and without play. In the dark, all four hands as well as the line-shaped indices are illuminated and guarantee that the time offers best readability even in the worst lighting conditions.
The stainless steel bracelet is consistently solid, and its folding clasp with diver’s extension is the main feature that makes it stand out. On dives, you have a few millimeters more at your disposal. So that the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition still fits over the wetsuit.
My conclusion about the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition
Oris‘ latest special edition model of the popular Aquis GMT Date collection is also its best. Like the other editions, the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition has the typical genes of every Oris diver. Good build quality, exquisite choice of materials and a focus on functionality are just three examples of why the traditional Swiss manufacturer has such loyal followers.
What really fascinated me this time, however, was the subject matter. A very serious topic, which we should pay far more attention to than any tribute watch. The concern to protect the world’s oceans has been well realized in the design of the Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition. Last but not least, this very animal represents the endangered biodiversity of the oceans. The Oris Aquis Whale Shark joins a growing number of watches that convey these meaningful messages to wearers. Seiko’s Prospex Samurai SRPF97K1, which I had the pleasure of testing in the “Save the Ocean” issue, has a similar thematic design.
The new model currently costs 2.650,- euros. You can find the watch in the Uhrenlounge store here! My final thanks once again to Uhrenlounge, who kindly provided me with the watch for this test.
More about Oris and the Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition
Oris Oris Aquis Whale Shark in the Uhrenlounge
Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 Review
Best Men’s Watches 2021 on WATCHDAVID
