Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Oris's diver meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 ($2,500–$5,000). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Aquis Date Calibre 400 justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic Calibre 400. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

View the dossier Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

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Oris

Aquis Date Calibre 400

$2,500–$5,000

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400	Stauer 1920s Retrograde
Price	$2,500–$5,000	$100–$150
Case Size	41.5mm	43mm
Movement	Automatic Calibre 400	Quartz
Caliber Type	Oris In-House Manufacture	Quartz
Power Reserve	120 Hours (5 Days)	Battery
Water Resistance	300m (30 ATM)	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal with Anti-Reflective Coating	Mineral crystal
Case Material	Stainless Steel	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
Origin	Swiss Made	Stauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Oris's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 features a Stainless Steel case at 41.5mm with Sapphire Crystal with Anti-Reflective Coating protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Oris

Automatic Calibre 400 vs Quartz

The Aquis Date Calibre 400 runs the Automatic Calibre 400 (Oris In-House Manufacture, 120 Hours (5 Days) power reserve) at 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The Aquis Date Calibre 400 edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Oris

41.5mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 41.5mm, the Aquis Date Calibre 400 wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 300m (30 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 sits at $2,500–$5,000 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the Aquis Date Calibre 400 uses Sapphire Crystal with Anti-Reflective Coating with 120 Hours (5 Days), against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Oris

300m (30 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The Aquis Date Calibre 400 is rated to 300m (30 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Aquis Date Calibre 400 is better suited for water activities.

Our Verdict

Oris

Aquis Date Calibre 400

Choose the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 if you prioritize Oris In-House Manufacture engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 300m (30 ATM) water resistance. At $2,500–$5,000, it delivers Automatic Calibre 400 with 120 Hours (5 Days) power reserve.

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Oris bringing Swiss Made tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 is rated 300 m against 100 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $2,500–$5,000), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Aquis Date Calibre 400 at 41.5mm with 300m (30 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The Aquis Date Calibre 400 uses Sapphire Crystal with Anti-Reflective Coating while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.