Oris Introduces The Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition
Oris returns to ocean conservation with the Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition. This new 41.5mm dive watch draws inspiration from underwater kelp forests and their role in marine ecosystems. Limited to 1,000 pieces, it combines the familiar Aquis Date design with a textured green dial that evokes the colors and textures of swaying kelp.
The project grew out of a conversation between Oris and Francis Pérez, a longtime brand ambassador and award-winning underwater photographer. Pérez has spent more than 25 years photographing marine life. He has also witnessed the decline of kelp forests, which face growing pressure from rising ocean temperatures and commercial harvesting. With this edition, Oris aims to bring greater attention to the issue.
A dial inspired by kelp forests
The dial gives the Kelp Forest Limited Edition its distinctive appearance. Oris uses a 3D-printed surface treatment to create texture and variations of green and gold. The result evokes kelp moving in underwater currents. The lime-green minute track (matched by the “pressure resistant” text) and golden outlines around the luminous hands and hour markers continue the kelp-themed color scheme.
Kelp forests form dense underwater habitats in temperate and cold waters. They provide shelter and food for fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. Kelp also absorbs carbon and contributes to global oxygen production. However, these ecosystems are under threat. Oris highlights research indicating that kelp forests off northwestern Spain have lost 58% of their coverage over the past 25 years. With this limited edition, Oris hopes to raise greater awareness of the problem.
A familiar Aquis Date foundation
The watch retains the core specifications of the Aquis Date. Its stainless steel case has a 41.5mm diameter, 12.9mm total thickness, and 49mm lug-to-lug. A slightly domed sapphire crystal with internal antireflective coating protects the dial.
The unidirectional rotating bezel features a green ceramic insert and a 60-minute scale. Both the crown and the case back screw into the case, contributing to the 300m water resistance. These features maintain the watch’s credentials as a capable dive companion.
Oris pairs the case with a three-row stainless steel bracelet. Its surfaces combine brushed and polished finishes, and the folding clasp features quick-adjust and quick-change systems. On the case back, a special kelp engraving and individual numbering identify the limited edition.
Oris caliber 733 inside
Powering the watch is the automatic Oris 733 movement. This caliber features central hour, minute, and (hacking) seconds hands, along with an instantaneous-changing date indicator visible through the aperture at 6 o’clock. The movement also beats at 28,800 vph and offers a 41-hour power reserve.
Initial impressions
The Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition brings a new visual theme to Oris’s established dive-watch platform. It achieves this in a rather pleasant way, without feeling gimmicky or over the top. Its textured green dial gives the watch a distinct identity, while the gold accents add some on-theme contrast. The 41.5mm steel case, ceramic bezel, and 300m water resistance remain familiar Aquis Date features.
As with many other Oris special editions, the conservation message is central to the project. By working with Francis Pérez, Oris connects the watch to the declining kelp forests he has documented throughout his career. The Kelp Forest Limited Edition will be available from October 2026, limited to 1,000 pieces, with a Swiss retail price of CHF 2,450.
