By Osheen Arakelian
In its 111 years, Oris has stuck to its philosophy of providing innovative watches that have been designed to be used in everyday life – a philosophy that drives its latest timepiece, the new Aquis Depth Gauge Chronograph.
The new Aquis Chronograph follows in the footsteps of the acclaimed Aquis Depth Gauge, which was considered one of the most innovative and reliable dive watches ever made when it was launched back in 2013. It was mainly considered to be such a success because it solved the problem of how to incorporate a depth gauge into a mechanical timepiece. The solution that solved this little problem, a hole of course. Oris equipped the Aquis Depth Gauge with an inlet in the crystal located at 12 o’clock, which led to a channel that was milled into the outside edge of the crystal covering the dial. As the diver descends, the air inside the channel compresses, allowing water through the inlet and into the channel. This creates a watermark that corresponds to yellow depth gauge indications marked on the dial, giving the diver a clear reading of the depth in great accuracy.
This new variant has the same features throughout. This includes the enormous 48mm diameter stainless steel case, with tough sapphire crystal to protect the dial that is 4mm thick, a screw-in crown with a crown protection system and water resistant up to 50 bar (500 metres). The dial features a date function at 6 o’clock and of course chronograph sub-dials. The applied indices and nickel hands are filled with a white Super-Luminova to provide great legibility and the depth gauge is finished in bright yellow.
Beating within this beast of a watch is the Oris Cal. 774 automatic movement that is based on the Selita SW 500. The watch is finished off with a black rubber strap fitted with the Oris quick adjustment sliding-sledge folding clasp system, that enables the wearer to adjust the strap or bracelet without having to take the watch off, and the Oris safety anchor (an Oris innovation), which prevents the watch from falling of even when it comes undone.
Overall, the new Oris Aquis Depth Gauge is exactly what you might expect, a great tool watch built for people who love to dive. It provides all the functionality you’ll want in a great affordable package. For more info, please visit oris.ch
OSHEEN ARAKELIAN – CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to the appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is the proprietor of the site, which covers everything related to watches and whisky. In between completing a degree in commercial law and supporting a rich social life, he is out and about attending all the latest watch and whisky events Sydney has to offer. His passion has also taken him around Australia attending a number of events and he hopes to continue his career in the watch industry on a more serious level after he graduates. Read his articles here.
