Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

An incredible watch, my favorite. It accompanies you in all circumstances, the most casual as well as the most formal. Steel, leather, NATO, black, brown or more colorful, everything suits it. It is the watch of a lifetime. And what a story. For this reason, many, like me, like it in hesalite and solid caseback but more modern variations may be of interest. The only downside is that it drowns when you see a glass of water, no matter, I will settle for an old rum.

She can do everything

While the DRZ 06 is a distillation of all Direnzo's stylistic elements, this DRZ 04 Mondial offers its most stripped-down expression. Aimed at fluidity and efficiency, it's safe to say that it delivers.
The revised proportions are perfectly in tune with current trends and ideal for my 17cm wrist, measuring 38 x 10.8mm with a lug-to-lug measurement of 46mm. The bracelet, still characterized by its dramatic drop, features a double folding clasp incorporating the brand's logo—beautiful and of the highest quality. But the real highlight is the "bowl" dial, which finds its perfect canvas on this model. In this pink version, it looks stunning against skin during an Indian summer. The hour markers add a welcome touch of dynamism.

Sport Chic Efficient

I quickly knew I would have at least one Direnzo in my collection. This brand combines the two main criteria I was looking for: design and color. When you add to that Sergio's easy access and the consistency between his words about his career and ambitions and his creations, you know the decision is obvious. The hard part then begins: which model to choose? After almost two years of hesitation, I opted for the DRZ06, which, for me, embodies the essence of Sergio's "design grammar."
This watch is perfect for my wrist with its 38 x 11 mm diameter and 44 mm lug-to-lug measurement. Thanks to the magnificent use of solids and voids, polished and brushed finishes, curves and edges, it appears slightly more imposing than it actually is, particularly in terms of thickness. This isn't unpleasant. The design is clearly extremely sophisticated. It's brimming with references to the past—industrial, automotive, architectural, and aerospace—refining them to make them modern; isn't that the very definition of history? The bracelet plays a major role in the watch's look. Its taper from 28mm to 17mm is magnificent, even if it does evoke the bracelet of an Italian icon. Finally, the floating seconds hand is the star, subtly understated, of this vibrant red dial. Note the highly detailed and powerful lume.
A triumph.

An obvious point

If there's one watch I never expected to add to my collection, it's this Carlingue Heritage Diver.

Although I'd had the opportunity to chat several times at various trade shows with its creator, Alexandre Voirin, who readily shares his world at the crossroads of watchmaking, rock music, and tattoos, and to try on the steel and bronze versions of the range, the 200m diver's watch features (which I already own), the neo-vintage look (so overdone lately), the Miyota 9 movement (often too noisy and erratic for me), and especially the 51mm lug-to-lug width (too imposing for my 17mm wrist) hadn't managed to convince me. It took an advertisement—yes, it's a pre-owned watch—at an unbeatable price to give me the desire to try this black Mission series long-term, figuring that at worst, it would make a friend very happy. A fortunate decision indeed; the all-black finish makes all the difference. It softens the perceived bulk of the watch's length and lets the well-designed 40x12mm case take center stage, admittedly heavily inspired by an Alexandre design for another brand. The beige indices and dial markings are striking, reinforcing the military aesthetic and ensuring excellent legibility. They give me the impression of a Field watch rather than a diver's watch, and I'm delighted. The rubber strap, bearing the Black Mission emblem, is very comfortable, but I think I'll soon be swapping it for a leather strap from the collaboration between Carlingue and a collective of tattoo artists. Even the Miyota movement seems more pleasant than usual.
In the end, an unexpected watch that fills a gap in my collection with character.

More Field than diver

A year after acquiring it, I've finally decided to present this Cédric Bellon, which has become a regular on my wrist. 39mm in diameter (40mm at the bezel), 47mm lug to lug, and 12.2mm thick—dimensions perfectly in tune with current trends for this Skindiver-style watch, a style that was missing from my collection.

Made entirely of recycled grade 5 titanium, which retains its matte finish, the silky-smooth case boasts a rather dark hue that beautifully complements the dial. I can't decide if the highlight is the vertically brushed finish that creates a constant interplay of light, with the orange shifting from yellow to black, or the small seconds subdial, with its circular brushing and recessed position at 12 o'clock, inherent to the Dubois-Despraz movement, sourced from unused stock and chosen to power this beauty.

It features a bidirectional rotating bezel, allowing for the display of a second time zone, secured by an ingenious bezel-locking system on the crown. Originally fitted with a gray suede strap, I opted to "alter" it by replacing it with a more suitable and less fragile orange Tropic strap. I say "alter" it because, despite the presentation, which could have justified my purchase in itself, it was meeting the designer that ultimately convinced me. Cédric, a designer for several brands in the industry, is an engaging, approachable, and dedicated man; the more accurate term would be "passionate," but I avoid it as it's often misunderstood. He has a guiding principle that goes beyond simply wanting to make watches with a low environmental impact. He understands that watchmaking is evolving and that Swiss-made watches, to justify their premium status, must also reinvent themselves. For him, this means integrating "sustainable" into the label.

Whether you agree with it or not, the man is positive, and his message is far removed from green-bashing or punitive environmentalism. Consequently, this change of strap seems to contradict the ambition of the watch, produced in Ticino by Watch Angels, a kind of watchmaking startup incubator, using components produced, recovered, and/or recycled within an 80 km radius. Only the glass and gaskets come from further afield, from France and Spain, I believe.

This watch is different in its ambition, its presentation, and its execution. It's very comfortable, reliable, a conversation starter, and its dial is a constantly evolving stage. What more can I say to convince you? Perhaps simply that, despite the brand's very small production volumes (25 pieces for mine), this is already the 5th one featured on the platform. There's no mystery there.

A man's story

A recent acquisition and, contrary to my usual practice, a presentation almost immediately, as this is simply a given. There's no need to get bogged down in the traditional technical details—dimensions, power reserve, etc.—all of that is anecdotal with this creation, which doesn't really have a dial, certainly no hands, and an ergonomics that might seem questionable. Here, we need to shift our vocabulary.

Having passed fifty, I felt ready for a radically different watch, an object that tells the time, but for which this notion would be secondary, almost superfluous. I had already noticed SpaceOne for its early creations and its artistic universe focused on space. From our first encounter at Timefest 2025, the Worldtimer captivated me and wouldn't let me go. A futuristic spaceship that reconnected me to my childhood galactic fantasies of the 80s, somewhere where Captain Future would come to the aid of the Jedi from Star Wars.

This watch is a work of art, practically a manifesto for a different way of seeing the world. It's a breath of fresh air that puts a smile on everyone's face. As soon as it's spotted, it encourages even the shyest to take the first step and inquire about its nature. No one cares how to tell the time or how it works. What captures attention is the design and the jewelry-like quality; it sparks everyone's interest.

A few words are in order to highlight the complexity of this timepiece, from the exclusive titanium case—polished, brushed, and micro-blasted, chiseled and tapered according to Olivier Gamette's design—to the three sapphire crystal domes and the worldtimer complication with discs, developed in-house by Théo Auffret based on a Soprod movement.

One question remained: comfort and wearability. Those doubts were dispelled after an hour on my wrist.

A dream machine that quickly found its place. Better yet, it opened a new horizon in watchmaking.

To infinity and beyond

Founded in 1910 by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the Maison Chanel has become a global icon of fashion and luxury. Although mainly recognized for its contributions to haute couture and perfumery, Chanel has also left its mark on the world of watchmaking with creations combining elegance, innovation and artisanal know-how.
<h3 dir="ltr">The Watchmaking Beginnings of Chanel</h3>
It is in 1987 that Chanel enters the world of watchmaking with the launch of the Premi&egrave;re watch. This timepiece is distinguished by its octagonal case, inspired by the shape of Place Vend&ocirc;me in Paris and the cap of the famous N&deg;5 perfume. The chain bracelet interwoven with leather is reminiscent of the handles of the brand's iconic bags, giving the watch a look that is both sophisticated and timeless. La Premi&egrave;re embodies the very essence of feminine elegance according to Chanel.
<h3 dir="ltr">Innovation with the J12 Collection</h3>
In 2000, Chanel revolutionizes watchmaking by introducing the J12, a unisex watch in high-resistance ceramic. Initially offered in black, then in white in 2003, the J12 is distinguished by its sporty and elegant design. The ceramic used offers scratch resistance and incomparable comfort on the wrist. Over the years, the J12 has evolved, incorporating manufactured movements and watchmaking complications, while retaining its iconic aesthetic.
<h3 dir="ltr">Mastery of Fine Watchmaking</h3>
Chanel didn't just create exquisitely designed watches; the brand has also invested in the development of high-precision watch movements. In 1993, Chanel acquired the Swiss factory Ch&acirc;telain, located in La Chaux-de-Fonds, thus integrating the entire manufacturing process, from design to assembly. This acquisition allows Chanel to master the most advanced watchmaking techniques and to guarantee impeccable quality to its creations.
<h3 dir="ltr">Collaborations and Strategic Investments</h3>
In order to strengthen its position in the watch industry, Chanel has established strategic partnerships with independent watch houses. The brand has notably acquired stakes in companies such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/bell_&amp;_ross">Bell &amp; Ross</a>, Romain Gauthier, F.P. Journe and MB&amp;F, reflecting its commitment to watchmaking excellence and innovation. These collaborations allow Chanel to benefit from a unique know-how and to offer watches with exclusive and high-performance movements.
<h3 dir="ltr">Iconic Collections</h3>
In addition to the Premi&egrave;re and J12 collections, Chanel has enriched its watch offering with models such as:
Monsieur de Chanel : Launched in 2016, this men's watch is equipped with the first movement entirely designed and manufactured in-house, the caliber 1. It is distinguished by its jumping hour display and its retrograde minute complication, combining technicality and refined aesthetics.
Mademoiselle Priv&eacute; : This collection highlights Chanel's artisanal know-how, with dials decorated with precious motifs such as the camellia, the comet or the lion, symbols dear to Gabrielle Chanel. Artistic techniques, such as enamel, engraving or marquetry, enhance these exceptional pieces.
<h3 dir="ltr">Commitment to Excellence</h3>
Chanel attaches paramount importance to quality and innovation. The brand has thus developed exclusive materials, such as beige gold 18 carats, offering a unique shade and increased durability. In addition, Chanel continues to innovate by integrating sophisticated watch complications and exploring new designs, while remaining faithful to the aesthetics and values ​​that have made it famous.
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
For more than three decades, Chanel has established itself in the world of watchmaking by combining tradition and modernity. Thanks to its know-how, its strategic investments and its commitment to excellence, the brand continues to offer watches that seduce both through their timeless design and their technical performance. To own a Chanel watch is to display a symbol of elegance, refinement and innovation.
Get inspired by Dialicious owners&rsquo; reviews to find the Chanel watch that suits you.
(Updated February 2025)

Ollech &amp; Wajs est une maison horlog&egrave;re suisse fond&eacute;e en 1956 &agrave; Zurich par Joseph Ollech et Albert Wajs ; d&rsquo;abord d&eacute;taillant puis acteur de la vente par correspondance, le duo a b&acirc;ti sa r&eacute;putation sur des montres &laquo; tool &raquo; robustes &mdash; plongeuses, militaires, d&rsquo;aviation &mdash; vendues aux particuliers comme aux forces arm&eacute;es, avant d&rsquo;orchestrer un retour au premier plan au cours des ann&eacute;es 2010 avec une gamme contemporaine qui r&eacute;active les signatures historiques.
<h3>Zurich, Stockerstrasse et la vente par correspondance&thinsp;: les d&eacute;buts d&rsquo;un label outil</h3>
D&egrave;s l&rsquo;ouverture de leur petite boutique zurichoise, les fondateurs s&rsquo;attachent &agrave; proposer des montres fiables &agrave; prix tenu, puis &eacute;tendent rapidement l&rsquo;activit&eacute; vers le courrier et les annonces sp&eacute;cialis&eacute;es, et cette distribution directe fa&ccedil;on &laquo; mail-order &raquo; deviendra l&rsquo;un des marqueurs durables de la marque.&nbsp;Le basculement d&rsquo;un r&ocirc;le de d&eacute;taillant vers la cr&eacute;ation de montres sous leur propre nom s&rsquo;op&egrave;re en quelques ann&eacute;es, avec des lignes d&eacute;di&eacute;es aux usages concrets (terrain, mer, cockpit) et une construction volontairement simple et r&eacute;parable, et l&rsquo;obsession est moins la &laquo; complication &raquo; que l&rsquo;endurance et la lisibilit&eacute;.
Dans les ann&eacute;es 1960, la diffusion s&rsquo;&eacute;tend aux bases am&eacute;ricaines et aux PX, o&ugrave; des montres militaires et de plong&eacute;e sign&eacute;es O&amp;W trouvent un public pr&ecirc;t &agrave; les &eacute;prouver en conditions r&eacute;elles, et cette validation par l&rsquo;usage contribue &agrave; installer l&rsquo;image d&rsquo;un outil professionnel abordable.
<h3>Caribbean 1000 et Ocean Graph&thinsp;: la profondeur, la d&eacute;compression et l&rsquo;imaginaire des grandes eaux</h3>
Au milieu des sixties, la maison se distingue par des plongeuses d&rsquo;avant-garde dont la Ollech &amp; Wajs Caribbean 1000, pi&egrave;ce record annonc&eacute;e pour 1000 m qui cristallise l&rsquo;ambition technique de l&rsquo;&eacute;poque et installe le nom O&amp;W dans le paysage de la plong&eacute;e sportive comme professionnelle, et l&rsquo;association avec des partenaires sp&eacute;cialis&eacute;s nourrit une esth&eacute;tique rationnelle et sans fioritures.
Dans la m&ecirc;me veine, l&rsquo;Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph introduit une lunette et une logique de lecture con&ccedil;ues pour accompagner la mont&eacute;e du plongeur et les paliers de d&eacute;compression, ancrant la montre dans un usage pr&eacute;cis plut&ocirc;t que dans l&rsquo;&eacute;vocation d&eacute;corative de la mer, et le cadran reste clair pour pr&eacute;server l&rsquo;instantan&eacute;it&eacute; de la lecture sous l&rsquo;eau.
Ces r&eacute;f&eacute;rences historiques, souvent cit&eacute;es et collectionn&eacute;es aujourd&rsquo;hui, ont fa&ccedil;onn&eacute; un langage fait de bo&icirc;tiers costauds, d&rsquo;&eacute;tanch&eacute;it&eacute;s s&eacute;rieuses, de bracelets adapt&eacute;s et de typographies contrast&eacute;es qui affleurent encore dans les mod&egrave;les actuels, et c&rsquo;est cette continuit&eacute; de &laquo; montre-outil &raquo; qui permet de relier le pass&eacute; et le pr&eacute;sent.
<h3>Relance contemporaine, ancrage helv&eacute;tique et cha&icirc;ne courte&thinsp;: le retour d&rsquo;O&amp;W</h3>
Apr&egrave;s avoir travers&eacute; la p&eacute;riode quartz et ralenti la cadence, la marque est reprise par Charles Le Menestrel et relanc&eacute;e &agrave; la fin des ann&eacute;es 2010 avec la volont&eacute; explicite de prolonger l&rsquo;esprit des origines plut&ocirc;t que de s&rsquo;&eacute;parpiller en s&eacute;ries cosm&eacute;tiques, et&nbsp;le bureau de cr&eacute;ation reste &agrave; Zurich tandis que l&rsquo;assemblage et les r&eacute;glages s&rsquo;effectuent dans le Jura suisse.
La d&eacute;marche privil&eacute;gie des mouvements automatiques suisses &eacute;prouv&eacute;s, une architecture de bo&icirc;te simple &agrave; entretenir, des &eacute;tanch&eacute;it&eacute;s cr&eacute;dibles et des bracelets &agrave; la fois robustes et faciles &agrave; vivre au quotidien, et le cahier des charges reprend la triade historique : fiabilit&eacute;, lisibilit&eacute;, r&eacute;parabilit&eacute;.
La relance ne se contente pas de &laquo; r&eacute;&eacute;ditions &raquo; au millim&egrave;tre : elle propose des montres nouvelles inspir&eacute;es des usages historiques, rehausse le soin apport&eacute; aux finitions et met en avant un contr&ocirc;le qualit&eacute; par &eacute;tapes, et le r&eacute;sultat vise une modernit&eacute; pragmatique qui &eacute;vite le pastiche.
<h3>P-101, P-104, Navichron, C-1000 et Ocean Graph&thinsp;: familles actuelles et usages concrets</h3>
Les premi&egrave;res r&eacute;f&eacute;rences de l&rsquo;&egrave;re r&eacute;cente prennent la forme de montres d&rsquo;aviation &agrave; taille contenue, Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 et Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104, qui relecturent les codes cockpit dans une bo&icirc;te polyvalente autour de 39&ndash;40 mm avec saphir et couronne viss&eacute;e, et elles ciblent une lecture instrumentale et une r&eacute;sistance suffisante pour le quotidien.
C&ocirc;t&eacute; plong&eacute;e, la maison propose aujourd&rsquo;hui la Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000 (ainsi que des &eacute;ditions anniversaires) comme incarnation contemporaine de l&rsquo;esprit Caribbean : valves, joints, fonds viss&eacute;s et traitements soign&eacute;s s&rsquo;additionnent pour offrir un instrument de mer moderne, et le cadran conserve l&rsquo;intelligibilit&eacute; qui a fait la r&eacute;putation de la lign&eacute;e.
En parall&egrave;le, l&rsquo;Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph revient sous une forme actualis&eacute;e, avec sa logique de lecture li&eacute;e &agrave; la d&eacute;compression qui en fait une plongeuse de caract&egrave;re imm&eacute;diatement reconnaissable au poignet, et cette signature d&rsquo;usage distingue le mod&egrave;le dans un segment satur&eacute;.
La famille Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron s&rsquo;adresse &agrave; celles et ceux qui veulent un chronographe &laquo; outil &raquo; lisible, fid&egrave;le &agrave; l&rsquo;esprit O&amp;W sans exc&egrave;s de complexit&eacute;, avec une ergonomie de poussoirs travaill&eacute;e et une &eacute;chelle claire pour structurer le temps court, et le dessin reste volontairement pratique plut&ocirc;t que d&eacute;monstratif.
<ul>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 &mdash; pilote contemporain, diam&egrave;tre contenu, saphir, r&eacute;sistance &agrave; l&rsquo;eau &eacute;lev&eacute;e, cadran tr&egrave;s lisible, usage &laquo; bureau-terrain &raquo;.</li>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104 &mdash; variante d&rsquo;aviation avec autre signature de lunette et de marquages, m&ecirc;me esprit robuste.</li>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000 &mdash; plongeuse moderne inspir&eacute;e de la Caribbean, &eacute;tanch&eacute;it&eacute; pouss&eacute;e et lecture directe.</li>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph &mdash; plongeuse instrumentale &agrave; logique de d&eacute;compression, identit&eacute; forte au poignet.</li>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron &mdash; chronographe &laquo; tool &raquo;, cadran a&eacute;r&eacute; et poussoirs francs, lisibilit&eacute; du temps court.</li>
</ul>
Au-del&agrave; des noms, l&rsquo;important est l&rsquo;usage : pilote pour la lisibilit&eacute; &agrave; plat et la r&eacute;sistance aux chocs de la vie active, plongeuse pour l&rsquo;eau et la robustesse, chronographe pour rythmer les t&acirc;ches et les entra&icirc;nements, et ce d&eacute;coupage aide &agrave; choisir une O&amp;W en fonction d&rsquo;un sc&eacute;nario r&eacute;el plut&ocirc;t que d&rsquo;un simple style.
<h3>Signature &laquo; tool watch &raquo;&thinsp;: mat&eacute;riaux, mouvements, dimensions et bracelets</h3>
Les bo&icirc;tiers actuels privil&eacute;gient l&rsquo;acier, des traitements de surface sobres, des lunettes fonctionnelles et des glaces saphir, avec des diam&egrave;tres g&eacute;n&eacute;ralement compris entre 39 et 42 mm pour pr&eacute;server la polyvalence au quotidien, et le port&eacute; se veut stable gr&acirc;ce &agrave; des cornes ma&icirc;tris&eacute;es et des bracelets ajust&eacute;s.
C&ocirc;t&eacute; motorisation, la marque recourt &agrave; des automatiques suisses contemporains adapt&eacute;s &agrave; l&rsquo;usage intensif, certains r&eacute;gl&eacute;s ou certifi&eacute;s selon versions, et l&rsquo;accent est mis sur la facilit&eacute; d&rsquo;entretien par un horloger comp&eacute;tent partout dans le monde, et cette pragmatique m&eacute;canique refl&egrave;te la vocation utilitaire des montres.
Les bracelets &mdash; acier, textile de type RAF/NATO ou caoutchouc &mdash; sont choisis pour leur s&eacute;curit&eacute;, leur r&eacute;sistance &agrave; l&rsquo;eau et leur confort, tandis que les boucles et end-links sont travaill&eacute;s pour limiter les points durs, et la modularit&eacute; permet d&rsquo;adapter la m&ecirc;me montre &agrave; des contextes tr&egrave;s diff&eacute;rents.
<h3>Positionnement, prix, distribution et profils d&rsquo;acheteurs</h3>
O&amp;W occupe aujourd&rsquo;hui un segment &laquo; outil de qualit&eacute; &raquo; : finitions soign&eacute;es mais sans ostentation, fiches techniques coh&eacute;rentes, contr&ocirc;le qualit&eacute; serr&eacute; et communication ax&eacute;e sur l&rsquo;usage plut&ocirc;t que sur le prestige, et le rapport contenu/prix vise la cr&eacute;dibilit&eacute; d&rsquo;un instrument plut&ocirc;t que la posture luxueuse.&nbsp;La distribution m&ecirc;le vente directe en ligne et r&eacute;seau restreint de partenaires, comme <a href="https://bit.ly/4igLuis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Horel</a> &agrave; Bordeaux (France) ou <a href="https://bit.ly/4p27od0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">La Vitrine Horlog&egrave;re</a> en Belgique, avec un discours p&eacute;dagogique sur l&rsquo;h&eacute;ritage et les usages, et&nbsp;ce canal court facilite la coh&eacute;rence tarifaire et la relation avec l&rsquo;atelier.
Le public typique r&eacute;unit des amateurs de montres &laquo; &agrave; faire &raquo; plut&ocirc;t qu&rsquo;&laquo; &agrave; montrer &raquo;, des plongeurs loisirs, des voyageurs qui appr&eacute;cient la solidit&eacute; et des utilisateurs professionnels qui veulent un objet fiable et r&eacute;parable, et la marque parle &agrave; celles et ceux qui pr&eacute;f&egrave;rent la preuve par le port&eacute;.
<h3>Guide de choix&thinsp;: sc&eacute;nario d&rsquo;usage, lisibilit&eacute; et ergonomie</h3>
Commencez par d&eacute;finir l&rsquo;environnement principal : eau, cockpit, bureau-terrain ou sport chronom&eacute;tr&eacute; ; si l&rsquo;eau domine, une Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000 ou une Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph seront naturelles, tandis que P-101/P-104 conviendront aux lectures rapides et aux cadrans &eacute;pur&eacute;s, et le chronographe Navichron servira aux temps courts et aux routines fractionn&eacute;es.
Validez ensuite la lisibilit&eacute; : contraste aiguilles/fond, taille des index, absence de surcharge, visibilit&eacute; de la minuterie et coh&eacute;rence de la lunette avec l&rsquo;usage r&eacute;el, et faites le test &laquo; un m&egrave;tre/un coup d&rsquo;&oelig;il &raquo; en lumi&egrave;re naturelle avant d&rsquo;arr&ecirc;ter votre choix.
Enfin, essayez la montre pour jauger l&rsquo;assise (corne-&agrave;-corne), la couronne dans la paume, la souplesse du bracelet et le tomb&eacute; g&eacute;n&eacute;ral avec vos manches et vos activit&eacute;s, et gardez la version que vous oubliez le plus vite une fois port&eacute;e.
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
Ollech &amp; Wajs demeure identifiable par sa vocation d&rsquo;outil : des montres pens&eacute;es pour l&rsquo;usage, lisibles, robustes et suivies par une cha&icirc;ne suisse claire. Entre plongeuses h&eacute;riti&egrave;res de la Caribbean, pilotes modernes et chronographes de travail, la gamme s&rsquo;articule simplement autour de sc&eacute;narios r&eacute;els. Pour d&eacute;cider, partez de votre terrain d&rsquo;emploi, testez lisibilit&eacute; et confort, puis ajustez mati&egrave;re et bracelet ; vous obtiendrez un instrument pertinent qui vieillit bien. Pour croiser ces rep&egrave;res avec des retours d&rsquo;exp&eacute;rience, appuyez-vous sur les avis clients Dialicious.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_suisses">Classement des meilleures marques de montres suisses</a> dont Ollech &amp; Wajs fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Ao&ucirc;t 2025)

Ollech &amp; Wajs is a Swiss watch company founded in 1956 in Zurich by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs; initially a retailer and then a mail-order operator, the duo built a reputation on robust tool watches&mdash;divers, military pieces and pilot instruments&mdash;sold to civilians and service members alike, before orchestrating a modern comeback in the late 2010s with a contemporary range that revives the brand&rsquo;s historic signatures.
<h3>Zurich, Stockerstrasse and mail order: the beginnings of a tool-driven label</h3>
From their small Zurich storefront, the founders soon moved from selling other brands to shipping their own watches by post, and this direct &ldquo;mail-order&rdquo; route became a lasting hallmark of the company.&nbsp;The shift from retailing to making watches under their own name took only a few years, with dedicated lines for concrete use cases (field, sea, cockpit) and constructions that favoured simple, repairable mechanics, and the focus was less on &ldquo;complication&rdquo; than on endurance and clarity.
In the 1960s, distribution extended to US military PX stores, where O&amp;W military and dive watches were tried in real-world conditions by service members, and this usage-led validation helped cement the image of an affordable professional instrument.
<h3>Caribbean 1000 and Ocean Graph: depth, decompression and the great-waters playbook</h3>
By the mid-sixties the brand stood out with cutting-edge divers, notably the Ollech &amp; Wajs Caribbean 1000, a thousand-metre-rated watch that crystallised the era&rsquo;s technical ambition and lodged the O&amp;W name in both recreational and professional diving, and partnerships with specialist makers fed a rational, no-nonsense aesthetic.
In the same spirit, the Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph brought a bezel and reading logic tailored to ascent and decompression stops, rooting the watch in a specific task rather than mere maritime d&eacute;cor, and the dial stayed clean to preserve underwater glance legibility.
These historic references&mdash;often cited and collected today&mdash;shaped a language of stout cases, serious water-resistance, practical bracelets and high-contrast typography that still surfaces in current models, and this through-line of &ldquo;tool first&rdquo; connects past to present.
<h3>Contemporary relaunch, Swiss anchoring and a short chain: O&amp;W&rsquo;s return</h3>
After weathering the quartz era and slowing down, the brand was revived in the late 2010s by Charles Le Menestrel with the explicit aim of extending the founding spirit rather than scattering into cosmetic runs, and&nbsp;design remains in Zurich while assembly and adjustment take place in the Swiss Jura.
The approach favours proven Swiss automatic movements, serviceable case architecture, credible water-resistance and bracelets built for comfort and durability, and the specification re-embraces the classic triad: reliability, legibility, serviceability.&nbsp;The comeback is not a millimetre-for-millimetre facsimile exercise; instead, it offers new watches inspired by historic use, upgrades finishing and emphasises stepwise quality control, and the outcome is a pragmatic modernity that avoids pastiche.
<h3>P-101, P-104, Navichron, C-1000 and Ocean Graph: today&rsquo;s families and real use</h3>
The first modern releases took the form of compact pilot watches, the Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 and Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104, which reinterpret cockpit codes in versatile 39&ndash;40 mm cases with sapphire and screw-down crowns, and they target instrumental reading and all-day resilience.
On the dive side, the brand offers the Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000 (along with anniversary editions) as a contemporary take on the Caribbean ethos: seals, casebacks, and careful treatment combine into a modern sea instrument, and the dial retains the intelligibility that made the line&rsquo;s reputation.
In parallel, the Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph returned in an updated form, with its decompression-centred readout making for an instantly recognisable diver on the wrist, and this task-specific signature sets it apart in a crowded segment.
The Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron family serves those who want a readable, work-ready chronograph true to the O&amp;W spirit, with well-judged pushers and crisp scales for short-time duties, and the design stays deliberately practical rather than showy.
<ul>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 &mdash; contemporary pilot, compact diameter, sapphire, strong water-resistance, very legible dial for desk-to-field wear.</li>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104 &mdash; aviation variant with a different bezel and markings signature, same robust intent.</li>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000 &mdash; modern diver inspired by the Caribbean, serious water-proofing and direct readout.</li>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph &mdash; instrumental diver with decompression logic, strong identity on the wrist.</li>
<li>Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron &mdash; &ldquo;tool&rdquo; chronograph, open dial and assertive pushers, clarity in short-time work.</li>
</ul>
Beyond names, what matters is use: a pilot for flat-plane readability and shock tolerance in active life; a diver for water and sturdiness; a chronograph to pace tasks and training, and this split helps pick an O&amp;W by real scenario rather than by style alone.
<h3>Tool-watch signature: materials, movements, dimensions and straps</h3>
Current cases prioritise steel, sober surface treatments, functional bezels and sapphire crystals, with diameters largely between 39 and 42 mm to sustain daily versatility, and on-wrist stability comes from disciplined lug spans and well-matched bracelets.
Mechanically, the brand uses modern, Swiss automatic calibres suited to intensive use&mdash;some adjusted or certified depending on versions&mdash;while ensuring that any competent watchmaker can service them, and this pragmatic mechanics reflects the utilitarian brief.
Bracelets&mdash;steel, RAF/NATO-type textile or rubber&mdash;are chosen for security, water-readiness and comfort, with buckles and end-links designed to minimise hot-spots, and modularity lets a single watch adapt to very different contexts.
<h3>Positioning, prices, channels and buyer profiles</h3>
O&amp;W sits in a &ldquo;quality tool&rdquo; segment: tidy finishing without ostentation, coherent spec sheets, tight quality control and messaging anchored in use rather than prestige, and the value proposition seeks instrument credibility rather than luxury posturing.
Distribution blends direct online sales with a small partner network and a didactic narrative about heritage and use, and this short channel supports coherent pricing and a clear link to the workshop.&nbsp;The core audience mixes owners who prefer watches to &ldquo;do&rdquo; rather than to &ldquo;show,&rdquo; recreational divers, travellers who prize sturdiness and professionals who need reliable, serviceable objects, and the brand resonates with those who trust proof of wear over glossy claims.
<h3>Selection guide: use case, legibility and ergonomics</h3>
Start by mapping your main environment&mdash;water, cockpit, desk-to-field or timed sport; if water rules, a Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000 or Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph is natural, whereas P-101/P-104 suit quick, uncluttered reads, and the Navichron chronograph serves intervals and structured routines.
Next validate legibility: hand-to-dial contrast, index size, minimal clutter, minute track visibility and bezel logic that matches how you actually use it, and run the &ldquo;one-metre/one-glance&rdquo; test in natural light before deciding.
Finally, try the watch to judge stance (lug-to-lug), crown feel in the palm, bracelet suppleness and how it sits with sleeves and tasks, and keep the version you forget the fastest once strapped on.
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
Ollech &amp; Wajs remains identifiable by its purpose-built vocation: watches made for use&mdash;readable, robust and supported by a clear Swiss chain. Between divers that channel the Caribbean legacy, modern pilot pieces and work-ready chronographs, the range is organised simply around real-world scenarios. To choose well, start with where you&rsquo;ll wear it, test clarity and comfort, then tune material and strap; you&rsquo;ll land on a capable instrument that ages well. To square these cues with long-term ownership feedback, a helpful compass remains Dialicious customer reviews.
Consult the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">Ranking of the best Swiss watch brands</a> of which Ollech &amp; Wajs is part.
(Updated August 2025)

What do you look for when you own several watches? For my part, I try to combine aesthetic pleasure and icon. This Chanel J12 ticks the boxes perfectly. Iconic, with its white ceramic case, it suddenly gave Chanel its letters of nobility as a watchmaking house. On the aesthetic side, even if its design is quite classic and can recall other productions, it is of a rare elegance. However, I could not be satisfied with the "basic" model unfortunately too connoted feminine so I opted for this "marine" variant which will certainly never obtain its ISO 6425 certification but what does it matter. The touches of blue brighten up the whole and make it more masculine. The rubber strap is very comfortable but is a little sensitive to yellowing. I love the milky side of the white of the ceramic which sublimates once you are a little tanned. An atypical summer watch for men.

Bonaparte1973's review on his Chanel J12 Marine

A fantasy

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