Oris Aquis New York Harbor Limited Edition II Hands-On Review
The Oris Aquis New York Harbor Limited Edition II is more than just another diver. It is part of a mission to help restore one of the most famous and most damaged waterways in the world. Only 2,000 pieces will be made, and proceeds support the Billion Oyster Project’s work to bring oysters back to New York Harbor.
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the dial. I have reviewed a lot of dive watches, but I have never seen one use colored mother-of-pearl like this. It is striking, it is different, and it is one of the main reasons this watch stood out to me right away.
I have reviewed plenty of Oris watches over the years, including multiple versions of the Aquis, and I have always appreciated that they manage to be more than just another Swiss diver. Oris has found a way to combine thoughtful design, real-world practicality, and environmental responsibility without it feeling like a marketing exercise.
This watch is the follow-up to the 2022 New York Harbor Limited Edition. It continues Oris’s collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project, an initiative that aims to restore one billion oysters to the harbor by 2035. This is not just a lofty target. Oysters filter water, create habitats for marine life, and act as natural storm barriers. An adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, making them a critical part of the harbor’s ecosystem.
New York Harbor was once home to more than 220,000 acres of oyster reefs. By the early 20th century, overharvesting, pollution, and unchecked dumping had nearly wiped them out. Things began to improve after the Clean Water Act of 1972, but it was not until 2014 that two educators, Pete Malinowski and Murray Fisher, founded the Billion Oyster Project to actively restore the reefs.
Since then, they have restored about 150 million oysters, engaged more than 15,000 volunteers, and worked with over 30,000 students. The project has become as much about education and community involvement as it is about ecological restoration. Oris partnered with them in 2022, and proceeds from the first New York Harbor Limited Edition supported reef construction, shell collection, and student programs. This second edition builds on that effort.
This watch is based on the Oris Aquis Date and uses the Oris Calibre 733, a Sellita-based automatic movement with a 41-hour power reserve. That is different from the in-house Calibre 400 I reviewed previously, which has a five-day reserve and COSC certification, but the 733 helps keep the price more accessible at $3,000.
The case measures 43.5 mm in diameter, 13.1 mm thick, and has a 51 mm lug-to-lug measurement. Despite the size, the Aquis wears smaller than its numbers suggest. The sharply downturned lugs and integrated bracelet design keep it comfortable even on my 6.75-inch wrist. The finishing balances brushed surfaces with polished highlights, giving it a rugged but refined feel.
This is where the watch becomes something special. Oris calls it an aqua green mother-of-pearl dial with an oyster-shell effect. I have handled many mother-of-pearl dials, but I have never seen one in a diver that is color-treated like this.
Most brands leave mother-of-pearl in its natural silvery tone for dress watches. Here, the aqua green makes the iridescence even more dynamic. In bright light, the dial shows shimmering layers of green with subtle texture, while in lower light it becomes more subdued and almost stone-like. It is distinctive enough to be immediately recognizable but still versatile enough for daily wear.
The bezel is stainless steel with a minutes scale in relief. It does not use ceramic, which gives it a more industrial look that fits the overall theme. The sapphire crystal is domed on both sides with anti-reflective coating on the inside, which keeps reflections down without risking scratches on an external coating.
The caseback is stainless steel with special engravings, including oysters, as a nod to the collaboration. The watch comes with both a stainless steel bracelet and a matching aqua green rubber strap. The bracelet has a folding clasp with a diver’s extension, and the strap uses a cut-to-fit system that is not my favorite, but it does include quick-release pins so switching between strap and bracelet is simple.
Inside is the Oris Calibre 733, based on the Sellita SW200-1. It has automatic winding, hacking seconds, a date function, and a 41-hour power reserve. While it is not as technically impressive as the Calibre 400, it is reliable, easy to service, and keeps the watch at a reasonable price point.
The redesigned Aquis case makes this watch wear better than its specs might suggest. The lugs keep it secure and well-balanced, and the dial is constantly changing with the light, which keeps it visually engaging. Indoors it is subtle, outdoors it comes alive with shimmering green tones. It works just as well with a t-shirt as it does under a cuff.
Only 2,000 numbered pieces will be made. Oris kept the presentation simple and tasteful. The unique dial and caseback engraving are what distinguish this watch from a standard Aquis Date, which I appreciate.
At $3,000, the New York Harbor Limited Edition II sits comfortably among other mid-range Swiss divers. What sets it apart is that your purchase supports a project that is making measurable progress in restoring an ecosystem. Plenty of brands create “cause” watches, but few have partnerships with results as tangible as this one.
Limited editions can sometimes feel like a color change with a higher price tag, but this one feels purposeful. The New York Harbor Limited Edition II combines a dial unlike any I have seen on a diver, a proven and comfortable case design, and a meaningful environmental mission.
I would love to see it offered in the smaller case size or with the Calibre 400 movement, but even as it stands, this is more than just a watch. It is a story you can wear, and a small but real way to support an effort to bring life back to New York Harbor. Learn more about the Oris Aquis New York Harbor II here.
