In the realm of horology, certain names resonate with a legacy of craftsmanship, precision, and enduring design. Ollech & Wajs, a Swiss watch brand, stands out as a beacon of such qualities, marrying the rich tradition of Swiss watchmaking with the innovation of modern design. This article delves into the history of Ollech & Wajs, exploring its unique aspects, watch designs, and movements that set it apart in the world of timepieces.
The History of Ollech & Wajs
The story of Ollech & Wajs begins in 1956, when Albert Wajs and Joseph Ollech founded the company in Zurich, Switzerland. Initially, they focused on importing Swiss watches to the United States but soon transitioned to manufacturing their own line of precision watches. The early success of Ollech & Wajs was largely attributed to their military and aviation watches, which were renowned for their durability and precision. These watches were not only embraced by professional pilots and soldiers but also by adventurers and sports enthusiasts, marking Ollech & Wajs as a brand synonymous with reliability under extreme conditions.
A Commitment to Precision and Durability
From the outset, Ollech & Wajs prioritized precision and durability in their watchmaking philosophy. This commitment was evident in their early adoption of automatic movements and waterproof cases, ensuring that their watches could withstand the rigors of professional use. The brand was among the first to incorporate the Valjoux 72 movement, a hallmark of reliability and precision, into their chronographs. This dedication to quality components has remained a cornerstone of the Ollech & Wajs identity, distinguishing their timepieces in a crowded market.
Innovative Watch Designs
Ollech & Wajs watches are notable for their blend of functional design and aesthetic appeal. The brand has a rich portfolio of models, each tailored to specific activities, from diving to aviation. The attention to detail is evident in features such as rotating bezels, highly legible dials, and luminous markings, all designed to enhance functionality without sacrificing style. The O&W “C-Series,” for example, showcases the brand’s commitment to creating watches that are both rugged and elegant, suitable for extreme adventures as well as everyday wear.
One of the most iconic models, the Ollech & Wajs Selectron Computer, epitomizes the brand’s innovative spirit. Introduced in the 1960s, this watch featured a slide rule bezel designed for complex calculations, catering to the needs of pilots and engineers. Such designs not only underscored the brand’s technical prowess but also its ability to integrate utility with sophisticated design.
Watch Movements Used by Ollech & Wajs
At the heart of every Ollech & Wajs watch lies a movement that ensures unparalleled precision and reliability. The brand has historically utilized movements from esteemed Swiss manufacturers, ensuring that each timepiece meets the highest standards of Swiss watchmaking. Today, Ollech & Wajs continues this tradition by incorporating contemporary Swiss movements that offer both automatic and manual winding capabilities. These movements are meticulously selected and tested by the brand’s watchmakers, ensuring that each watch delivers on the promise of precision and durability that Ollech & Wajs is known for.
The use of ETA and Sellita movements in recent models exemplifies the brand’s commitment to quality. These movements are celebrated for their accuracy, longevity, and ease of maintenance, making them a perfect fit for Ollech & Wajs’s philosophy of creating watches that last a lifetime.
Sustainability and Future Directions
In an era where sustainability and ethical manufacturing have become paramount, Ollech & Wajs has embraced these values by ensuring their watchmaking process adheres to sustainable practices. The brand is committed to minimizing its environmental impact, from the selection of materials to the production processes. This approach not only reflects the brand’s dedication to responsible watchmaking but also aligns with the values of a new generation of watch enthusiasts.
Conclusion: Are Ollech & Wajs Watches Good?
Ollech & Wajs represents the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking, blending the tradition of precision and durability with the innovation of modern design. From its early days as a purveyor of military and aviation watches to its current status as a maker of versatile, rugged timepieces, the brand has consistently demonstrated a commitment to quality, reliability, and sustainability. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, an Ollech & Wajs watch is not just a timepiece but a piece of history, crafted with the utmost care and designed to endure through the ages. As the brand moves forward, it continues to embody the spirit of innovation and excellence that has defined its legacy, promising a future where tradition and modernity converge in every meticulously crafted watch.
Ollech & Wajs Collections: Buyer’s Guide
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OW M-110 M
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Soprod P092
- Power Reserve: 44 hours
- Case Width: 39.5 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 47.5 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 meters
- Price: Under $2,000
The OW M-110 serves as a tactical tool watch, leveraging over six decades of expertise in military and diving. It blends many design features and the water resistance of OW’s initial dive watches with a 360-degree compass bezel, a feature typically seen on field watches.
OW 350CI
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: ETA 2824-2
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 39.5 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 meters
- Price: Around $1,500
The OW 350CI’s name and design pay homage to the Condor 350 motorcycle and its unique inverted controls (‘commandes inversées’). Featuring a khaki dial with yellow indexes, it adheres to the color codes of the Swiss military. This watch is a product of their partnership with Atelier Zevaco, a specialist in vintage motorcycle restoration located in Zurich. The Condor 350 holds a prestigious place in both Swiss and military history. Condor was chosen to supply motorcycles to the Swiss Army, producing 3,000 units from 1973 to 1978. Known for its durability, reliability, and ease of maintenance, the Condor 350 became a staple for military personnel, seeing use throughout the 80s and beyond.
OW Navichron
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Valjoux 7753
- Power Reserve: 54 hours
- Case Width: 39.5 mm
- Water Resistance: 500 meters
- Price: Around $2,500
The Navichron series, renowned as one of OW’s most celebrated specialty chronographs, has been widely favored by professionals and sports enthusiasts globally. Launched in the late 1960s, it quickly gained popularity among pilots, sailors, soldiers, engineers, and globetrotters. Distinguished as one of the initial chronographs featuring dual pushers and offering water resistance up to 200 meters, it also became a preferred choice for skin divers and frogmen.
OW Astrochron
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Valjoux 7753
- Power Reserve: 54 hours
- Case Width: 39.5 mm
- Water Resistance: 500 meters
- Price: Around $2,500
Nearly 60 years ago in Zurich, the OW Astrochron’s journey commenced during a period marked by the most intense exploratory ambitions in history. This era’s quest for greater speed, distance, and depth brought humanity to the brink of new frontiers, with space exploration being the most significant. The allure of the cosmos served as the inspiration behind the naming of the renowned 1967 Ollech & Wajs triple-register chronograph, the Astrochron. Esteemed scientists from NASA were among the distinguished professionals who utilized the Astrochron’s intricate dials and scales. Engineers, athletes, commercial and military divers, pilots, and naval officers quickly recognized the utility of this durable and water-resistant precision timing device.
OW 8001
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: SOPROD P092
- Power Reserve: 44 hours
- Case Width: 39.5 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 meters
- Price: Around $2,000
Orginially created in 1973 and rejuvenated in 2023, Ollech & Wajs was at the forefront of launching sports watches with integrated bracelets in the early 70s. Among these pioneering designs, the OW Ref.8000 stood out – characterized by its sleek, angular TV-dial chronograph and the distinctive ‘Havana brown fumé dial.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of this landmark timepiece, we’ve introduced a new version that encapsulates and modernizes the essence of the OW Ref.8000. Named sequentially as the OW 8001, this model features a brutalist, brushed stainless steel tonneau case that merges smoothly into a durable, brushed, oyster-style bracelet, taking inspiration from the original design for extreme resilience.
OW Ocean Graph
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: ETA 2824-2
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 39.5 mm
- Water Resistance: 1,000 meters
- Price: Around $2,000
The OW Ocean Graph pays homage to the 1968 Ollech & Wajs Ocean Graph and the esteemed dive watches of the ‘Precision’ line. These timepieces featured patented decompression bezels, crucial for the safety of divers exploring deep waters. The contemporary OW Ocean Graph draws its color scheme and striking triangular markers from the unique graphic designs of classic OW models.
WRITTEN BY
Maté D
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