Water Protectors: Oris' 2019 Introductions Focus On Preserving The Ocean And The Brand’s History

Oris never bores us. Not only do their reasonably priced, traditionally designed timepieces satisfy all the form and function needs of most watch aficionados, but there's also a feel-good element to the brand with their continued, conscious efforts to protect the waters of the earth. 

To cut a long story short, Oris has always managed to pay homage to their history but in a contemporary way. And their 2019 novelties once again showcase heritage that, through delightful details and the brand’s commitment to the future of the planet, are forward thinking.
 

The Aquis collection of diver’s watches is Oris’ most versatile and accessible range. For 2019, the Aquis Date has undergone a mini makeover with the Date Relief — its first with a uni-directional relief bezel inspired by the shape of water.
 

There are four new 43.5 mm models in this collection, each with a dial the color of a stormy lake. Options include a stainless steel bracelet, or grey leather or black or red rubber straps. And speaking of stormy, it's a high-performance watch that is water-resistant to 30 bar (300 meters) and designed to weather the most demanding underwater conditions. For maximum visibility, it features applied hour markers, which, like the hour and minutes hands, are filled with luminescent Super-LumiNova.
 

This new edition of the Aquis Date was created to raise awareness of keeping freshwater bodies of water clean by promoting overall improvements to sewage and waste levels from industry and preventing water-related diseases. The watch was created in collaboration with Ernst Bromeis, an expedition swimmer who has already swum the length of the Rhine and is now working on an 800km crossing of the world's largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal. The swim will take him 60 days, and the water will measure a chilly 12 degrees Celsius.
 

Still rolling in the deep, Oris presented a new bi-color (aka “Bico”) Sixty-Five at Baselworld 2019. It features a midnight blue dial which provides a nice compliment to the bronze edged bezel, creamy lume, and rose gold accents on the indices and hands.
 

Oris continues to pay homage to its aviation past with the Big Crown ProPilot Timer GMT — it’s professional pilot’s tool watch.
 

Great legibility is a hallmark of all Oris watches, and the Big Crown ProPilot Timer GMT delivers with its easy-to-read 24-hour GMT hand and timing bezel. At 44mm, the case is still large and in charge, but this year’s model has a slimmer silhouette so that it sits better on the wrist.
 

Continuing on the success of last year’s green dial Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary edition, these two new heritage-inspired watches are more than mere throwbacks. The new models come in a smaller stainless steel 40mm case with a coin edge bezel. And they come with either a deep blue or glossy red dial. Both come with either a leather strap or bracelet.
 

While bolder than their predecessors, these 2019 Oris Big Crown Pointer Dates are also sporty enough to ensure that they will still get a lot of wrist time.

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell & Pierre Vogel)