Introducing the Oris Aquis Chronograph in a Slimmed-Down Case

Chronographs are essentially stopwatches built into timepieces that allow users to measure elapsed time without interfering with the regular timekeeping function. Usually, a chronograph has a series of pushers that operate its start, stop, and reset functions. Among chronograph makers, Oris is a prominent name. Following the launch of the brand’s new Aquis Date series this year, the Oris Aquis Chronograph (Ref. 01 771 7793 4155-07 8 23 01PEB) variant has just been released. Featuring a ‘smiley face’, the new chronograph with a gradient dial shares with the Aquis Date series the same obsessive attention to detail and a catalogue of ergonomic, aesthetic, and performance enhancements.

Gradient dials are frequently linked with high-end or luxury timepieces, as making a flawless gradient necessitates accuracy and expertise. The colours on these dials tend to progressively change from a lighter shade in the centre to a darker one or a different hue altogether at the margins, adding depth and texture to the watch face. The new Oris timepiece gets a gradient blue dial covered with a domed sapphire crystal on both sides.

The new model comes in a 43.5 mm stainless steel case, with a  60-minute unidirectional rotating bezel that has a blue ceramic insert, a crown at 3 o’clock, and two chronograph pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock. The dial also features a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour counter with an inbuilt date window with a black background and white numeral at 6 o’clock, and a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock. All subdials get a spiral texture. The indice applied hour markers, and hour, minute, and lollipop second hands are coated in Super-LumiNova®. A minute/seconds track spans the outermost periphery of the dial.

Powering the watch is Oris Calibre 771, which is based on Sellita SW500-1 movement with a 62-hour power reserve. Turning the watch over reveals the stainless steel, screwed, see-through, mineral glass caseback with a red oscillating weight. The watch is finished on a multi-piece stainless steel metal bracelet with an Oris-patented security folding clasp with fine adjustment and extension. This newly launched model is a pure diver’s watch with a water resistance of 300 metres.