The Oris Aquis is the finest Swiss-made dive watch under $2,500. The Aquis Date Calibre 400 (41.5mm, ~$1,875) punches well above its price with a fully in-house movement, 5-day power reserve, 10-year service intervals, and a 300m rating — beating most rivals at twice the price. If you want a serious dive watch without paying Tudor or Omega money, start here.
Oris has spent decades building a reputation as the most credible Swiss watch brand in the $1,500–$3,000 tier — the price point where you’re choosing between mediocre movements from storied names and genuine quality from brands that don’t rely on history alone. The Aquis is their flagship dive collection, and it’s earned that position legitimately. Updated comprehensively in 2021 with the in-house Calibre 400, the current Aquis line offers something most brands at this price can’t: a movement Oris engineered and manufactures themselves.
This guide breaks down every Aquis model available in 2026, explains the specifications that actually matter for real-world use, and tells you which variant to buy based on your wrist size, budget, and diving ambitions.
Why the Oris Aquis Earns Its Place
Most Swiss dive watches under $2,000 use movements sourced from ETA or Sellita — the Swiss movement suppliers that power roughly half of the industry. That’s not inherently bad; these movements are reliable and well-proven. But when Oris replaced the ETA 2824-based Aquis calibres with their own Calibre 400 in 2021, they crossed a threshold most competitors haven’t. The Calibre 400 is genuinely in-house: designed, assembled, and regulated in Hölstein, Switzerland.
What does that mean practically? A 5-day (120-hour) power reserve versus the 42-hour standard you get from ETA-based rivals. A rated accuracy of -3/+5 seconds per day — COSC-comparable without the certificate price premium. And a 10-year recommended service interval, halving the long-term ownership cost versus movements requiring 5-year servicing. For a watch at the $1,875 price point, these specs compete directly with Tudor’s MT5602 and Omega’s Master Chronometer architecture at roughly one-third to one-quarter of the price.
The Aquis also delivers 300m water resistance across the range (the Aquis Twelve is rated to 1,200m), a unidirectional ceramic bezel insert that won’t scratch or fade, and domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. These aren’t budget compromises — they’re spec-sheet items that disappear at competitors like Longines until you spend considerably more.
Oris Aquis Collection: Every Model Explained
The 2026 Aquis line has expanded to cover multiple case sizes, materials, and complications. Here’s what you need to know about each.
Aquis Date Calibre 400 — 41.5mm (The Sweet Spot)
This is the watch to buy unless you have a specific reason to choose otherwise. At ~$1,875 on a steel bracelet, you get the full Calibre 400 package: 5-day reserve, 300m WR, ceramic bezel, and date at 6 o’clock displayed through a clean aperture. Available in blue, black, and green dials — the blue is the most versatile for both diving and daily wear. Reference: 01 400 7769 4135-07 8 22 09PEB (blue dial, rubber strap) or 01 400 7769 4135-07 8 22 09PEB with bracelet variant.
Aquis Date Calibre 400 — 43.5mm (For Larger Wrists)
Identical movement and specification to the 41.5mm, stretched to 43.5mm across. If the 41.5mm looks lost on your wrist or you simply prefer larger watches, this is the natural upgrade. Priced at approximately $1,950 on bracelet — only $75 more for a noticeably different wearing experience. Same ceramic bezel, same 300m rating, same Calibre 400 movement.
Aquis Date Calibre 400 Relief II — 41.5mm
The Relief II adds a textured “relief” dial — a wave-pattern structure pressed into the metal dial plate that catches light differently from every angle. Spec-for-spec identical to the standard Date, priced around $2,050. Worth the extra $175 if you want something visually distinct at your price point; the structured dial genuinely changes the watch’s character under different lighting.
Aquis Titanium — 41.5mm (~$2,450)
The titanium Aquis pairs the Calibre 400 with a titanium case and bracelet, dropping weight significantly — roughly 30% lighter than the steel equivalent. The comfort difference is immediately noticeable on the wrist. Titanium is also hypoallergenic, making this the correct choice if you have a nickel sensitivity. Priced at approximately $2,450, the premium over steel is reasonable for what you get; titanium cases at this level typically carry a larger surcharge from Swiss brands.
Aquis Conservation Editions (LE)
Oris periodically releases limited conservation editions — the Carysfort Reef, Coral Restoration Foundation, and Lake Baikal pieces among them. These use the Calibre 400 movement in colourway-specific dials and include a contribution to the named conservation project. They’re typically priced within ~$200 of the standard editions and are genuinely collectible. If one aligns with a cause you support, they’re worth paying attention to; they often sell through quickly at authorized dealers.
Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 — Full Specs (41.5mm)
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case diameter | 41.5mm |
| Case thickness | 13.5mm |
| Case material | Stainless steel (316L) |
| Movement | Oris Calibre 400 (in-house) |
| Power reserve | 5 days (120 hours) |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) |
| Accuracy | -3/+5 sec/day |
| Service interval | 10 years |
| Water resistance | 300m (30 ATM) |
| Bezel | Ceramic, unidirectional, 60-minute |
| Crystal | Domed sapphire, double AR coating |
| Crown | Screw-down, 3-position |
| Bracelet | Steel with micro-adjustment & diving extension |
| Price (2026) | ~$1,875 USD (steel bracelet) |
Oris Aquis vs. the Competition
The Aquis competes in a well-populated bracket. Here’s how it stacks up against the most relevant alternatives at the same price point and the aspirational tier above it.
| Model | Price (2026) | Movement | Power Reserve | Water Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oris Aquis Date Cal.400 41.5mm | ~$1,875 | In-house Cal.400 | 5 days | 300m |
| Longines HydroConquest 41mm | ~$1,475 | ETA L888.2 COSC | 64h | 300m |
| Seiko Prospex Sumo SPB101 | ~$650 | In-house 6R35 | 70h | 200m |
| Tudor Pelagos 39 | ~$5,625 | In-house MT5602 | 70h | 500m |
| Breitling Superocean Auto 42 | ~$4,400 | ETA-based Cal.17 | 38h | 300m |
Versus Longines HydroConquest: The Longines is $400 cheaper and carries a COSC-certified movement, but it’s ETA-sourced and offers 64 hours of power reserve versus the Aquis’s 5 days. The Aquis wins on movement exclusivity, service intervals, and brand story. The HydroConquest wins on price and brand recognition in certain markets. See our Longines HydroConquest review for a full breakdown.
Versus Seiko Prospex Sumo SPB101: The Prospex SPB101 at ~$650 is an extraordinary value dive watch with an in-house movement and 70-hour reserve. But the Aquis is Swiss-made, has a ceramic bezel (versus Seiko’s aluminium insert), 300m versus 200m rating, and is more appropriate for formal occasions. See the Seiko Prospex buying guide if the Seiko price point works better for your budget.
Versus Tudor Pelagos 39: The Pelagos 39 is the natural aspiration from the Aquis — in-house MT5602 with COSC, 500m WR, titanium case standard. But at $5,625 it costs three times as much. The Aquis is the buy if budget is a real constraint; the Pelagos if you want the last word in dive watch specification under $6,000. Our Oris Aquis vs Tudor Pelagos comparison covers this head-to-head in depth.
Which Oris Aquis Should You Buy?
Best overall: Aquis Date Calibre 400 41.5mm (~$1,875) — The benchmark. All the key specs, the right size for most wrists, and the most dial-colour variety. Start here unless you have a specific reason to look elsewhere.
Best for larger wrists: Aquis Date Calibre 400 43.5mm (~$1,950) — If 41mm feels small on your wrist (over 7.5 inches / 19cm), step up. The 43.5mm wears proportionally without becoming ungainly, and the movement is identical.
Best for daily comfort: Aquis Titanium (~$2,450) — The titanium saves roughly 30g of total weight, which sounds minor until you’ve worn it on a long-haul flight or a full work day. The hypoallergenic case is also a practical advantage if you have metal sensitivities. Worth the premium if you wear your watch 16+ hours a day.
Best if you want something different: Aquis Date Relief II (~$2,050) — The structured dial genuinely transforms the watch’s visual personality. On a grey or overcast day, the texture disappears into a clean-looking dial; in direct light, it becomes a conversation piece. Good choice if you want your watch to look less like everyone else’s at the same price.
Where to Buy
The Oris Aquis is available from Oris authorized dealers worldwide and directly from oris.ch. Unlike some Swiss brands, Oris maintains consistent pricing through their AD network — you’re unlikely to find meaningful grey-market discounts on current references. For accessories, the Aquis works well on a 22mm rubber or NATO strap:
🔗 22mm Rubber Dive Strap (Amazon) — Upgrades the stock bracelet for sport use or warm weather
🔗 Single Watch Winder (Amazon) — Keeps the Calibre 400 wound and the power reserve ready
🔗 22mm NATO Strap (Amazon) — A versatile alternative to the bracelet for summer
FAQ
Yes — the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 is arguably the best-value Swiss dive watch you can buy new under $2,500. It offers a genuine in-house movement with a 5-day power reserve, 10-year service intervals, ceramic bezel, and 300m water resistance. No Swiss competitor at this price offers the same combination of specifications.
Current Oris Aquis models use the Calibre 400, an in-house movement developed and manufactured by Oris in Hölstein, Switzerland. It provides 120 hours (5 days) of power reserve, is rated at -3/+5 seconds per day, and has a recommended service interval of 10 years. Earlier Aquis models (pre-2021) used ETA 2824-based calibres.
The Oris Calibre 400 is rated at -3/+5 seconds per day, which is comparable to COSC-certified chronometer standards (which require -4/+6 seconds per day). In real-world use, many owners report accuracy within 2-3 seconds per day. Oris does not submit the Calibre 400 for COSC certification but performs their own in-house timing regulation to similar standards.
The Oris Aquis is primarily available in 41.5mm and 43.5mm case diameters. Both use the same Calibre 400 movement and 300m water resistance rating. The 41.5mm suits wrists in the 6.5–7.5 inch range; the 43.5mm works well for larger wrists (7.5 inches and above). A Divers Sixty-Five-inspired variant is also available in 40mm for a more vintage aesthetic.
Yes. The Oris Aquis is a genuinely ISO 6425-compliant dive watch rated to 300 metres, meaning it meets the international standard for professional dive watches. The screw-down crown, unidirectional ceramic bezel, and helium escape valve (on selected references) make it fully functional for recreational and professional diving to recreational depth limits (typically 40–60m). You can also swim, snorkel, and shower with it without concern.
The Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 at ~$1,875 offers exceptional value — in-house movement, 300m WR, ceramic bezel, 5-day reserve. The Tudor Pelagos 39 at ~$5,625 is a superior watch in absolute terms (MT5602 COSC movement, 500m WR, titanium standard), but costs three times more. The Aquis wins on value-per-dollar; the Pelagos wins if budget is not a limiting factor. Most buyers who want a serious dive watch without a significant Swiss premium should start with the Aquis.
Oris watches, including the Aquis, typically depreciate on the secondary market — pre-owned Aquis examples in good condition sell for 50–70% of retail. This is typical for Swiss watches in the under-$3,000 category. However, since 2021, the Calibre 400 versions have shown stronger resale retention than the older ETA-based Aquis models, suggesting the in-house movement adds meaningful value. Conservation Limited Editions occasionally command small premiums over retail.
→ Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 Review — In-depth wear test of the 41.5mm reference
→ Oris Aquis vs Tudor Pelagos — Head-to-head at the $1,800–$5,600 tier
→ Tudor Pelagos Buying Guide — If budget allows, this is the next step up
→ Seiko Prospex Buying Guide — Best dive watch options under $1,000
→ Longines HydroConquest Review — The main Swiss alternative at the same price tier
