Introducing the beneficiary of Oris’ new in-house movement, the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 watch is a high-performance diver’s piece boasting a five-day power reserve, anti-magnetic components and an impressive 10-year warranty. As the brand’s most distinguishable and best-selling model, it makes perfect sense that the Aquis is honoured with the newly developed calibre at its core.
Released last month, the new Calibre 400 is not Oris’ first in-house movement with that honour going to the Calibre 110 hand wound 10-day movement released back in 2014. Since then, we’ve had several other variations including the Calibre 111 with date window, the 113 with date, month, week and day and the 114 with its independently adjustable 24 hour hand. But what makes the Calibre 400 so extraordinary is its promise to extend the durability of the watch it inhabits by promising a better magnetism and a 10 year warranty. This means that if you were to buy the new Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 today, you wouldn’t have to have it serviced until 2030…
The Calibre 400 movement extends its self-sufficiency by using a pair of mainspring barrels delivering a five-day power reserve and a rotor placed on a more low-friction slide bearing system that winds in only one direction. The automatic winding calibre also uses silicon for its anchor and escape wheel, both of which are lubrication free, and an impressively anti-magnetic design of 30 specialised parts which have been tested to 2,250 gauss and promise a 90% reduction to magnetism. The movement has also been regulated by Oris to run between -3 to +5 seconds a day running at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
A worry for many, on the announcement of the new Calibre 400, was that its functionality would only originally accessible within a pricier limited edition. However, it was a pleasant surprise to us all when the new movement was introduced in their best-selling and affordable Aquis model. Through the back of the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400, we are treated to a fantastic view of the new movement through what Oris describes as their largest ever installed sapphire crystal case back. Beyond the glass, you can see the large rotor, slide bearing system, parts of the gear teeth and small glimpses of the anti-magnetic silicon escape wheel.
Aside from the addition of the new movement, little else has changed in the iconic divers design with the 43.5mm stainless steel case remaining exact to the brand’s DNA design codes alongside a familiar water resistant rating of 300 metres, the unidirectional rotating bezel with 60 minute diving scale and a robust integrated stainless steel bracelet. The classic centrepiece dial also looks largely the same, dressed in blue and adorned with Superluminova hands and indexes.
Some of the few barely noticeable changes we can see on the new Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 include the new patented DIY Quick Strap Change mechanism on the bracelet which now allows you to easily swap over your straps depending on your mood and outfit, the “5 days” inscription on the dial marking its new power reserve and a small increase in size of the date window at 6 o’clock. The timepiece is also the first 43.5mm Aquis model to showcase a blue ceramic inlay bezel.
Retailing at £2,600 for the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 on rubber strap and £2,700 for the metal bracelet alternative, there are very few watches of this quality with an in-house movement at such a price. If you’d like to get your hands on your own, head over to the Jura Watches website today where you can shop the full Oris Aquis watch collection.
Specifications: Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 Watch (01 400 7763 4135-07 8 24 09PEB, 01 400 7763 4135-07 4 24 74EB)
- Case Size: 43.5mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Unidirectional, 60 minute scale with blue ceramic inlay
- Glass: Sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Crown: Screw in
- Water Resistance: 300 metres
- Movement: Calibre 400
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 120 hours
- Jewels: 21
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue with Superluminova hands and indexes
- Strap: Steel bracelet or black rubber strap
- Buckle: Folding with diving extension
- RRP: £2,600 (Rubber), £2,700 (Bracelet)
