Swiss watchmaker Oris has once again turned its horological spotlight toward the fragility of the natural world, introducing the Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition. Known for infusing its contemporary dive watch lineup with meaningful environmental messaging, the independent brand has crafted this new timepiece to raise awareness about the often-overlooked deforestation of underwater kelp forests. Developed in collaboration with award-winning underwater photographer and Oris ambassador Francis Pérez, the watch combines striking aesthetics with a poignant ecological narrative, offering collectors a conversation starter that goes far beyond traditional luxury watch design.
What We Know
The concept of a seaweed-themed dive watch is certainly not unfamiliar to the watch community. Over the years, various brands have played with green dials and ocean-inspired motifs, with collectors even adopting affectionate nicknames for such pieces. However, Oris delivers a much more literal and immersive take on the theme with the Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition. While the watch does not feature a dial made from literal marine flora, its overall design is deeply rooted in underwater nature, driven by the artistic vision of Francis Pérez, whose captivating imagery of marine ecosystems has frequently highlighted the delicate balance of aquatic life.
This release fits comfortably into Oris’s ongoing series of sustainability-focused designs, a sustained corporate initiative aimed at raising awareness for various pressing environmental efforts. Previous iterations in this vein include the striking Bracenet Aquis, which featured a dial constructed from melted and recycled fishing nets, and the Yangtze Jiangtun Limited Edition introduced earlier in the spring. While some of these special environmental editions directly allocate a portion of proceeds to specific conservation organizations, others—like the Kelp Forest edition—are explicitly designed to act as compelling conversation starters. They inject purpose and meaning into a design beyond purely aesthetic considerations, a philosophy that Oris has championed for many years with considerable success.
Specifically, the narrative surrounding this new watch focuses on drawing public attention to the rapid deforestation of underwater kelp forests. These vital marine habitats play a dual role in ocean health: they absorb substantial amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and ocean, and they provide essential shelter and sustenance for a vast, diverse array of marine wildlife. While many people around the world have contemplated the devastating impacts of global overfishing and rising sea temperatures at some point in their lives, the widespread degradation and loss of kelp forests remain critical environmental issues that receive significantly less public discourse.
This marine-inspired marketing narrative naturally translates into a distinctive green Aquis diver, executed in a wearable and versatile 41.5mm stainless steel case. The case maintains a comfortable wrist profile with a thickness of 12.9mm and a lug-to-lug measurement of 49mm, ensuring it sits securely and comfortably on a wide variety of wrist sizes. The undeniable focal point of the timepiece, however, is its newly developed dial. It features an arresting green finish enhanced by a 3D-printed geometric texture, creating a complex visual depth that delivers a unique green-to-gold color shift depending on how the light strikes the surface. To complement this rich oceanic backdrop, the watch is fitted with polished applied indices, a warm gold handset, and a matching green ceramic bezel insert that frames the display with robust, scratch-resistant utility.
Beneath the solid stainless steel caseback lies the reliable Sellita-based Oris Calibre 733 automatic movement. This tried-and-true caliber operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), contains 26 jewels, and delivers a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. The solid caseback itself is far from generic, featuring bespoke artwork and detailed engravings centered around the kelp forest theme, alongside the individual numbering of the 1,000-piece limited edition run. Equipped on a steel bracelet featuring Oris’s convenient quick-change system and quick-adjust clasp, the Oris Aquis Kelp Forest Limited Edition commands a retail price of $2,950.
What We Think
For enthusiasts who harbor a soft spot for green-dial watches, the Kelp Forest edition immediately presents an intriguing alternative to standard catalog offerings. Right out of the gate, this special edition possesses a visual character that feels distinctly more nuanced than the standard sunray-brushed emerald green found across the regular production Aquis line. At the same time, the presence of more obvious light patches mapping out the visual representation of a kelp forest means the dial has a very distinct personality. Those swoops of light green-gold shifting among the darker green hues are not merely products of casual light reflection, but rather an intentional part of the base coloring achieved through specialized manufacturing techniques.
Having spent time hands-on with the new Kelp Forest edition, observers note that the surface texture possesses a subtle iridescence. There is a delicate touch of metallic sheen embedded within the final dial layout, a direct result of the innovative 3D printing process employed by Oris. According to the brand’s representatives, this production method ensures that no two dials are entirely identical, with each individual watch displaying a slightly different dispersion of brighter gold-green swoops across the surface.
Oris has historically demonstrated a high degree of successful experimentation when approaching these special editions. Earlier releases, such as the mother-of-pearl waves found on the Yangtze Jiangtun dial and the popular New York Harbor editions, showcase the brand’s willingness to push conventional design boundaries. While the Kelp Forest leans a bit more overtly into its thematic inspiration than some of its predecessors—and some purists might argue a slightly more abstract approach could have worked equally well—it remains a spirited, lighthearted interpretation of a modern professional dive watch. It succeeds in being visually captivating while carrying a message that extends far beyond the confines of traditional watchmaking, ensuring it will turn heads both on dry land and beneath the waves.
The Basics
Brand: Oris
Model: Aquis 41.5 Kelp Forest Limited Edition
Reference Number: 733 7787 4187-Set
Diameter: 41.5mm
Thickness: 12.9mm
Case Material: Steel
Dial Color: Green and gold
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Yes, Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 300 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Bracelet with quick change and quick-adjust
The Movement
Caliber: Calibre 733
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power Reserve: 41 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 VpH
Jewels: 26
Chronometer Certified: No
Pricing & Availability
Price: $2,950
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: Yes, 1,000 pieces
For more information, visit the official Oris website.
