Oris Aquis Pro 4000M Dive Watch Quick Review

Oris Ventures Deeper Than We Ever Will

At Geneva Watch Days in late 2023, Oris released a trio of new watches that drew a lot of attention. The first two were a pair of Bracenet collaboration Aquis models (review on those here) similar to the previous Upcycle editions, and then there was the all new Oris Aquis Pro 4000M. A fully technical deep diver built to not just take on depths no human can withstand, but to take on OMEGA and Rolex in the process while further establishing the brand’s legitimacy in the world of dive watches. Recently, I had the chance to get hands-on experience with a sample and while the specs might paint a bit of a ludicrous picture, let’s take a closer look and see what's actually going on here.

Fast Facts

Taking an initial look at the specs, the titanium case has a diameter of 49.6mm including the crown guards and 52.6mm with the crown pairs with a huge thickness of 23.8mm and a lug-to-lug of 55mm. Yes, it’s a bit of a doorstop, but a well finished one. Vertical brushing runs along the case sides and up the crown guards to the crown while polishing is applied to the helium escape valve at 9, the top of the crown guards, and the top of the case hidden under the bezel structure. At 3 o’clock, an extraordinarily large 9.8mm polished stainless steel screw down crown set between its guards has oversized grooves for grip even with wet gloves while being topped with a matte relief of the Oris name. A sharp transition to the case bottom reveals a heavily domed screw in case back decorated with fine radial brushing and an embossed depth gauge surrounding a vintage styled Oris shield logo. Returning to the dial side, set between the thick 14mm spaced lugs is a cut to fit rubber strap terminating at a milled three piece titanium clasp. Finished with a central polished strip bolstered by vertical brushing, the clasp hides a touch of perlage to its underside while dual push buttons operate a simple to use dive extension on the already long strap. The flexibility and short clasp make for a comfortable wearing experience while securely holding this large piece to the wrist. A rubber shroud surrounds most of the bezel protecting it from accidental bumps while making it simple to set. Lifting the shroud allows for rotation of the 120-click unidirectional steel bezel with ceramic insert. A deep blue hue is interrupted by tri-tip screws starting at 5 minutes and continuing every 10 minutes thereafter with a triangle and pip placed at 60, a blue countdown 15 minute timer, and white markers for the rest. All of the bezel markings are done in an applied lume which dazzles in low light conditions. Following a black inner ring up, the thick sapphire crystal slightly dommed on both sides while utilizing several layers of antireflective coatings on its underside to keep the dial fully legible adds to the overall thickness as well as the charm. Letting the eye fall through the sapphire you take up a view of a somehow intricate and simple dial made of two parts. A black ring painted with a white minute track is notched at 6 to make room for the black date wheel while applied polished indices with a center lume application bridge the plain to the inner dial. Dark blue waves run across the white to dark blue ombre dial passing around the Oris name printed at noon and the model name, water resistance, and power reserve printed at 6. At its center, broad polished hands generously filled with lume sit below a light blue lollipop second hand with its own lume plot while being powered by the in-house manufactured Oris Caliber 400. Operating at 4 Hz or 28,800 VPH, the caliber 400 has made its way into some of the newer flagship models coming from Oris featuring upped specifications over the previously used ETA movements including the impressive 120 hours of power reserve. The combination of the 4 Hz frequency and 120 hours is a rarely seen combination, notably featured in Baume et Mercier Baumatic models. This is achieved by storing power in twin barrels with extended mainsprings while still being able to achieve an accuracy of -3 to +5 seconds per day. Using non magnetic components and a low-friction slide bearing system means less wear and tear on the movement making it possible for Oris to offer a 10 year warranty on all caliber 400 movements.

First Impressions

While this door stop of a watch is strikingly huge, it actually wears better than you would think. Now no, it's not going to be a daily wearer and yes, I did immediately hit it into two door frames, but once the strap is secured the lightness of titanium slightly compensates for the size while the high end rubber holds firm. This is not a watch for desk diver, or honestly diver in general. What this watch is ia a statement for the wearer and the brand. Looking across the industry the competition for a super deep diver are few and far between. There is the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller at 3,900 meters, the Sinn UX EZM 2B Hydro at 5,000 meters, the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep at 6,000 meters, and then the Rolex Deepsea Challenge Sea-Dweller at 11,000 meters. Of that list, all but the Sinn will cost you at least double the MSRP of the Oris if you can ever get your hands on one at all. This Aquis Pro 4000M offers the ridiculous specs, an impressive movement, unique styling, and a price that while high, is attainable and can easily be purchased online. Not that they needed it, but this watch solidifies the Oris name amongst some of the industry leaders in dive watches. It's a fun watch that makes people see what is possible with modern material and technology while hopefully attracting more eyeballs to the brand as a whole, and I for one am here for it!

The Basic Specs

Case Diameter: 49.6mm including crown guards (52.6mm including crown)

Thickness: 23.8mm

Lug-to-Lug: 55mm

Lug Width: 14mm

Crystal: Sapphire

Water Resistance: 4000 Meters

The Movement

Oris Caliber 400

Frequency: 4 Hz / 28,800 VPH

Features: Hacking & Handwinding, Instant Date Change

Power Reserve: 120 Hours