ORIS DAT WATT LIMITED EDITION II 01 734 7734 4197-SET

The Aquis-style case is well-known and perhaps one of the most instantly recognizable case designs. It measures a substantial 43.50mm in diameter, but the short and sharply down-turned lugs keep the overall size and wearability in check. The bezel on top, rotating counter-clockwise, is finished with a grey tungsten insert. The grey tone provides a sleek contrast and slightly tones down what is already quite a bold watch. The crown screws down and is flanked by two neatly finished guards. The top crystal is sapphire, while the close caseback has a special decoration with a stylized geographical image of the Wadden Sea and the coastal regions of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Rated to a water resistance of 300m, it is more than capable of going for a leisurely splash in the pool, or a more serious and lengthy dive.

Where the first Dat Watt limited edition had a gradient blue-to-grey dial, the Dat Watt Edition II has a shimmering green dial, inspired by the salt marshes of the Wadden Sea. Also, it does in with the tidal indication and now incorporates a simple yet appealing date display. Four cutouts, arranged in a circle, reveal the grey-ish date disc underneath, with a white pointer indicating the correct date on the printed scale, also in white. We’ve seen this style in previous watches like the Hangan limited edition, and it elevates the dial to something a bit cooler than one with a traditional framed window. The large applied indices and hands provide excellent legibility and are finished with Super-LumiNova.

Hidden under the special caseback is the Oris Calibre 743, which we know from the Hangan limited edition, the Great Barrier Reef III Edition and various other time-and-date watches in Oris’ portfolio. Based on the Sellita SW220-1, it beats at a rate of 28,800vph and provides a running time of 38 hours, which is not exactly up to today’s expectations, really. But in reality, it gets the job done and remains an easily serviceable movement wherever you are. At least Oris has opted for the cool exposed date construction instead of the more common date window at 3 or 9 o’clock.

The second edition of the Oris Dat Watt comes with the familiar robust stainless steel bracelet that neatly integrates into the short, stout lugs. This is fitted with Oris’ clever extendable clasp, and you get an additional blue rubber strap also fitted to a folding clasp with a diving extension. A strap changing tool is supplied in the special edition box, to swap from steel to rubber easily. Limited to 2,009 pieces, in reference to the year the Wadden Sea was awarded the World Heritage Site status.