Oris Kelp Forest Limited Edition: An underwater forest on the dial
An underwater forest on a diver’s watch: For the Kelp Forest Limited Edition, Oris translates the shapes of brown algae into a relief-like green dial. Limited to 1,000 pieces, the Aquis Date combines this natural motif with a 41.5-millimeter stainless steel case and 300-meter water resistance.
Light and Movement in the Kelp Forest
Kelp forests are among the most impressive landscapes found beneath the water’s surface. Their long fronds, swaying in the water, provide a habitat for numerous marine animals. Rising water temperatures and the harvesting of kelp stocks are taking a toll on these ecosystems. For Oris, a conversation with underwater photographer and brand ambassador Francis Pérez served as the starting point for this edition. Pérez has been collaborating with the brand since 2015, documenting the underwater world.
The connection to the theme is primarily conveyed through the dial. Against a green background, a light green pattern—applied using 3D printing—replicates the structure of a kelp forest. Gold-colored accents on the hands and hour markers provide warm contrasts. This interplay is reminiscent of sunlight filtering through the water and between the plants. Luminous material on the hands and hour markers ensures the time remains legible even in low light.
The Technical Foundation: Aquis Date
Beneath its distinctive dial, the Kelp Forest remains a full-fledged Aquis Date. The stainless steel case measures 41.5 millimeters in diameter and 12.9 millimeters in height; the lug-to-lug width is 49 millimeters. A unidirectional rotating bezel with a green ceramic insert and a minute scale is used to measure elapsed time. A domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inside protects the dial, and the crown is screw-down.
Inside, the watch is powered by the automatic Oris Caliber 733, featuring central hour, minute, and second hands, as well as a date display. It also includes a stop-seconds mechanism and an instant-set date function. The power reserve is approximately 41 hours. With this model, Oris draws on its established movement technology and focuses the edition’s unique character on design and its connection to nature.
Numbered edition with a steel binding
The kelp motif also appears on the case back: a special engraving accompanies the individual serial number. The three-row steel bracelet combines polished and satin-finished surfaces. Its folding clasp features a quick-adjustment mechanism; a quick-change system makes it easy to swap out the bracelet. The watch is thus designed to transition seamlessly between water, everyday life, and various wearing situations.
The Oris Kelp Forest Limited Edition, reference 01 733 7787 4187-Set, is limited to 1,000 pieces and will be available starting in October 2026. The listed Swiss price is 2,450 CHF. The Aquis’s connection to nature gives it a unique visual character while also drawing attention to a habitat that usually remains hidden beneath the surface.
