Oris dives back into the Big Apple’s famous waters in support of Billion Oyster Project with a 2,000-piece limited-edition Aquis Date.
A Billion Good Reasons
In returning to New York City and Billion Oyster Project, we’re reminded of the bigger picture and the power of working to bring change together
The problem with conservation is that it can feel like the job is beyond us. The numbers are too big, the decline too fast, the hurdles too high. How can any of us be expected to make a meaningful difference?
The answer of course is that we can’t do it alone: but collectively, we become very powerful. Every positive decision and action helps. For most of us, that means domestic and lifestyle changes. We can all make these changes, and many Oris colleagues and fans have.
We Can’t Do It Alone: But Collectively, We Become Powerful
At Oris, these changes have transformed our business. In 2021, we became a climate neutral company with our first independent certification. In 2022, we embarked on a mission to reduce our total emissions by 10 per cent a year for three years. We did that, too.
This isn’t mission accomplished, though. As a luxury company that makes products people love but don’t necessarily need, we believe it’s our responsibility to help bring change for future generations.
To that end, we are committed to supporting projects at the forefront of the global environmental effort.
This year, we’re proud therefore to return to Billion Oyster Project. Talking of big numbers: founders Pete Malinowski and Murray Fisher are set on restoring one billion oysters to New York Harbor. An intimidating task, but they’re making significant progress, with 150 million oysters already restored. We’re now proud to introduce the New York Harbor Limited Edition II, a 2,000-piece edition of our Aquis Date with an aqua green dial with a mother-of-pearl, oyster-shell-effect finish. Proceeds from sales will support the project.
“The ecological challenge can feel overwhelming,” says Oris Co- CEO Rolf Studer. “But when we work together, it gets easier. We’re proud to collaborate again with Billion Oyster Project and to witness first- hand the change we’re bringing together. Our mission continues.”
It Takes a City to Change the World
Billion Oyster Project has set the goal of restoring one billion oysters to New York Harbor, and to engage one million people along the way
An adult oyster can filter as much as 50 gallons of water a day, while oyster reefs create ecosystems for other marine life and form natural storm barriers. As experts often say: oyster reefs are to the ocean what trees are to the forest.
Several centuries ago, New York Harbor was home to 220,000 acres of oyster reefs. But by the early 20th century, New Yorkers’ taste for oysters, pollution and other man- made factors had all but destroyed marine life in the city’s waterways.
The Clean Water Act of 1972 prohibited the dumping of industrial and chemical waste and raw sewage into the harbor, and water quality improved. In 2010, whales were spotted in the harbor. But problems persist, not least with the city’s ageing sewage overflow system.
In 2014, two New York City educators spotted an opportunity for New Yorkers to reconnect to their neglected waterfront. They founded Billion Oyster Project, a hugely ambitious non-profit that set the goal of returning one billion oysters to the harbor. In 2022, Oris entered into a collaboration with the project, and released a limited-edition watch to raise funds for it.
Billion Oyster Project has now restored more than 150 million oysters to New York Harbor and worked with more than 15,000 volunteers and 30,000 students. “It’s not just about the oysters,” says Pete Malinowski, the project’s co- founder. “It’s about fostering environmental stewardship through education, public engagement and community science.“
He continues: “We work with over 100 schools and thousands of students and volunteers to create a future where New Yorkers are deeply connected to and responsible for their marine environment.”
This year, the New York Harbor Limited Edition II picks up the baton. Based on the Aquis Date, it has an aqua green dial with a mother-of- pearl, oyster-shell-effect finish. It’s limited to 2,000 numbered pieces and proceeds from sales will help fund the project’s mission.
Pearl of an idea Billion Oyster Project co-founder Pete Malinowski is cleaning up New York Harbor, one oyster at a time
I NTE R V I E W : PE TE M A LI N O W S K I
The Crest of a Wave
The co-founder and executive director of Billion Oyster Project explains how Oris has helped bring real change Pete, it’s been three years since our first collaboration. Remind us of your story, the Billion Oyster Project and the collaboration with Oris.
The Billion Oyster Project was founded in 2014 by my colleague Murray Fisher and me while we were working at the New York Harbor School. As an aquaculture teacher, I saw first-hand how young people connected with their environment when engaged in hands-on restoration. We launched the project with the ambitious goal of restoring one billion oysters to New York Harbor by 2035. Our collaboration with Oris began in 2022 with the launch of the New York Harbor Limited Edition. Oris’s commitment to environmental stewardship aligned beautifully with our mission, and the partnership helped raise vital funds and awareness.
So, how’s the project going?
We’re proud to say the project is thriving. As of mid-2025, we’ve restored approximately 150 million oysters across 17 active reef sites throughout the harbor. We’ve recycled over 2.9 million pounds of oyster shells from local restaurants, engaged more than 15,000 volunteers and worked with over 30,000 students. Our reef sites now cover about 19 acres, and we’re seeing increasing signs of natural oyster recruitment, which is a key indicator of long-term success.
We’ve Restored 150 Million Oysters. Each Oyster Can Filter up to 50 Gallons of Water per Day
What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Navigating regulatory hurdles related to placing live shellfish in harbor waters has been a persistent challenge, as has working within the constraints of New York’s complex urban environment. Pollution from combined sewer overflows remains a threat, and sustaining funding as we scale up our operations requires ongoing effort. Public awareness is growing, but we still work hard to ensure people understand the ecological and societal value of oysters.
Can an oyster population return New York City waterways to thriving habitats?
Oysters are a keystone species, meaning they play a foundational role in their ecosystems. Each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, and oyster reefs – like coral reefs – provide habitats for hundreds of marine species. While full ecological restoration will take decades, we are already seeing improved water quality and increased biodiversity in areas where oysters are thriving.
On education: who have you engaged with and how?
We engage with over 100 public schools and more than 30,000 students through hands-on STEM programmes focused on marine science and environmental restoration. We also collaborate with the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, which offers Career and Technical Education programmes in fields like aquaculture and marine biology. Additionally, we work with community scientists, volunteers and partner institutions to expand public engagement and build a network of environmental stewards.
How did funds raised from our first collaboration make a difference?
By supporting critical components of our work, including reef construction, shell collection and educational programming. These resources helped us expand our reach, refine our methods and involve more community members in the restoration effort.
Bigger picture, how have popular attitudes to conservation evolved since you began the project?
Public attitudes have become more supportive of conservation, particularly in the wake of climate- related disasters like Hurricane Sandy. People are more aware of the need for blue infrastructure and resilient cities. Our work has benefited from this shift, but we still face challenges in maintaining momentum, especially during uncertain times. Our strategy is to emphasise the multi-benefit nature of our work. It’s not just about the environment, but also about education, job training, coastal protection and community resilience.
Where would you like to see the relationship between people and planet go next?
I’d like to see a future where people view themselves as caretakers of the natural world, especially in urban environments. This means integrating ecological literacy into education, building green and blue infrastructure into city planning and ensuring that all communities have access to healthy, resilient ecosystems.
How can people reading this get involved in your project?
Many ways – volunteering at reef sites, donating, participating in community science programmes, or even helping restaurants recycle their shells. Every action helps us move closer to our goal of restoring New York Harbor.
How will funds raised from sales of the New York Harbor Limited Edition II be used?
Proceeds will go directly toward reef building, shell collection and educational outreach. These funds help us scale up our impact and bring more people into the restoration process.
To your mind, what does this collaboration say about Oris?
This collaboration reflects Oris’s deep commitment to sustainability and community-driven impact. It shows that Oris is willing to go beyond awareness-raising and invest directly in solutions that bring lasting ecological and social benefits. We’re proud to partner with a brand that truly believes in bringing positive change.
New York Harbor Limited Edition II
Oris returns to New York City and Billion Oyster Project with a 2,000-piece limited-edition version of the Aquis Date dive watch
IN DETAIL
Case Multi-piece stainless steel case and uni-directional rotating bezel with stainless steel insert and minutes scale in relief
Size 43.50 mm
Thickness 13.10 mm
Lug to lug 51.00 mm
Dial Aqua green mother-of-pearl
Luminous material Hands and indices filled with Super-LumiNova®
Top glass Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
Case back Stainless steel, screwed, special engravings
Operating devices Stainless steel screw-in security crown
Bracelet/strap Multi-piece stainless steel metal bracelet with folding clasp, supplied with an additional aqua green rubber strap with stainless steel folding clasp
Water resistance 30 bar (300 m)
MOVEMENT
Number Oris Calibre 733
Functions Centre hands for hours, minutes and seconds, date window, instantaneous date, date corrector, fine timing device and stop-second
Winding Automatic
Power reserve 41 hours
Limited edition 2,000 numbered pieces
Swiss retail price CHF 2’550
Availability August
