Oris Kelp Forest Limited Edition: green and gold for ocean life

Oris made a deliberate choice that most watchmakers would avoid: a dial in deep green and gold, colours drawn directly from kelp forests themselves rather than the safe palette of blue, grey and black that dominates dive watch design. The Kelp Forest Limited Edition, released in a run of 2,000 individually numbered pieces, represents the Swiss brand’s decision to let the underwater subject dictate the aesthetic, turning the watch into a daily reminder of ecosystems most of us will never witness. The green captures the density of the forest canopy; the gold marks the moment light penetrates the water and illuminates the fronds. That combination carries weight in horology because it signals intention: this is not a standard release but a deliberate statement about a place and what it deserves protection.

Oris has spent years in genuine partnership with ocean research and conservation, supporting the scientists and divers who advocate for marine protection. The brand frames this not as a marketing angle but as the foundation of its work. The Kelp Forest edition extends that commitment into the object itself. Underwater photography by Francis Pérez shows the actual kelp forest as it appears to the divers who study and protect it, fronds bending in the current, lit by filtered sunlight. The dial reads as documentation rather than decoration, a direct translation of what the lens captured.

The case measures 41.5 millimetres in stainless steel with a matt finish that reduces reflectivity, a technical choice inherited from professional dive watch protocol rather than aesthetic preference. Water resistance extends to 300 metres, positioning the timepiece equally at home during daily wear and in the conditions where marine researchers operate. Inside sits the Oris Calibre 400, an in-house mechanical movement with ten-day power reserve visible through the exhibition caseback. The dial employs Oris’s signature sandwich technique, layering translucent lacquer over printed detail to create depth and prevent fading. The green and gold combination required bespoke pigment formulation; standard dial suppliers could not produce the specific amber tone needed to match the sunlit fronds in Pérez’s underwater photography.

The hands and indices receive SuperLumiNova treatment for legibility in low light, a practical specification inherited from Oris’s professional diving watches rather than a luxury embellishment. The timepiece carries no marketing tagline or conservation certification on the dial itself, leaving the design to communicate its purpose directly. Oris committed revenue from the Kelp Forest Limited Edition to ocean conservation initiatives, though the specific recipient organisations and allocation were not disclosed in the official announcement. The brand’s marine engagement spans partnerships with research institutions and independent divers documenting habitat change; the watch serves as both a fundraising mechanism and a portable symbol of ecosystems most wearers will encounter only through the dial beneath their wrist.

The timepiece maintains the brand’s established design language: the proportions, case finishing and movement remain consistent with Oris watches across decades. Legibility, durability and precision define the house’s approach, whether the dial is green and gold or any other colour. The watch functions as Oris watches do: reliable in daily life and capable in the conditions where professional divers work.

Limited editions from watchmakers often mark moments when a house commits design and resources to a specific idea. Oris positions this release within its conservation work rather than as a commercial interval, framing the limited production as a continuation of what the brand has already begun. The wearer carries that commitment forward simply by wearing it.

The Kelp Forest Limited Edition is available through authorised Oris retailers worldwide. Pricing, exact specifications and availability can be confirmed via the official Oris website and authorised dealers.

Oris produced the Kelp Forest Limited Edition in a run of 2,000 pieces, each numbered individually to mark its place within the collection. The watch houses the Oris Calibre 400, an in-house mechanical movement with ten-day power reserve, visible through the exhibition caseback. The case measures 41.5 millimetres in diameter, crafted from stainless steel with a matt finish that reduces reflectivity, a technical choice that echoes dive watch protocol. Water resistance extends to 300 metres, positioning the timepiece equally at home on the wrist during land-based daily wear and in conditions where professional marine researchers operate.

The dial’s construction employs Oris’s signature sandwich technique, layering translucent lacquer over printed detail to create depth and prevent fading under extended exposure to light. The green and gold combination required bespoke pigment formulation; standard dial suppliers could not produce the specific amber tone required to match the sunlit fronds in Pérez’s underwater photography. The hands and indices receive SuperLumiNova treatment for legibility in low light, a practical specification inherited from Oris’s professional diving watches rather than a luxury embellishment.

Oris committed a percentage of sales from the Kelp Forest Limited Edition to ocean conservation initiatives, though the exact figure and recipient organisations were not disclosed in the official announcement. The brand’s marine engagement spans partnerships with research institutions and independent divers documenting habitat change; the watch serves as both fundraising mechanism and portable symbol of ecosystems many wearers will never encounter. The timepiece carries no marketing tagline or conservation certification on the dial itself, leaving the design to communicate its purpose directly to those who know to look.

Imagery courtesy of Oris (@oris).