I have always had an interest in quality watches but recently I have have stepped up my collecting whilst I have some cash to spare. I was currently looking at the now superseded Oris Aquis Date model as a change from my normal dive watch.

The 2016 model had a very chunky bracelet and I am looking for a more overstated than understated dive watch to add to my collection. I want chunky as I have a number of understated timepieces and just want to round my collection out. Putting the two watches side by side, I can only see the bracelet size as the only notable differentiating factor with both models fitted with a folding clasp to secure the bracelet.

The bracelet is secured to the case by screws as opposed to the usual pins and I really don’t see the point of a leather strap on a dive watch, that is reserved for a dress watch. Fitted with a Oris Calibe 733; this is really a SW 200-1 automatic movement with 26 jewels, a 38 hour power reserve and a 4 Hz frequency. The SW200-1 is now the default movement now that ETA has limited sales to non Swatch manufacturers.

I viewed a blue dial with the dial indicators not numbered and a date window at the 6 o’clock position but possibly other colours are also available. In the end I chose the green version as I had a number of blue dials and as an occasional timepiece, green would be something different. There was a trend towards green when I was looking, so whilst the blue dial was excellent, the green dial offered something a little different.

Rated to 300 metres, the 43 mm stainless steel case has a screw-in crown, a display case-back and the dial is viewed through a sapphire crystal glass. The unidirectional bezel is standard for diving timepieces. The bezel is ceramic marked in minute increments to the 15 minute mark and then numbered at 10 minute increments. For me, I like collecting watches and I prefer new timepieces so I have to put plenty of research in to get the pricing I am willing to pay.