Why customers love Ollech & Wajs?

As a lover of tools and the Valjoux 7750 caliber, and a fan of the OW brand and its philosophy, I quickly gravitated toward this beautiful Astrochron. It's worth noting that the brand guarantees Origin +90% Swiss Made, a very important detail in terms of value for money, when some barely exceed the mandatory 60% by cheating here and there... So I'm a fan of this caliber, certainly very common, but which has survived the decades without major issues. The unidirectional winding gives it a crazy charm, in my opinion, when the oscillating weight goes crazy, reminding us unpredictably throughout the day of the presence of this timepiece on your wrist. Some hate it, but I love it! Here we have a variation of the Valjoux 7750 with this 7753 version, which differs in the arrangement of the sub-dials, and which incorporates a discreet pusher at 10 o'clock to quickly "jump" the date to the months in 30 days, for example, without having to unscrew the crown, and that's great. Despite all its intrinsic qualities, I'm quite disappointed with the brand. While this watch is a real tank ready to face anything, the ceramic bezel has cracked twice, and this was without any damage on my part. I own a C-1000 (also OW) which is currently in service for the same reason... Upon inquiries, the brand has apparently changed bezel suppliers to address the problem. However, I've lost confidence in my OW watches for my daily life as a technician who needs a durable tool without question. I switched to another reputable tool brand, and today I wear a Sinn 856 UTC, which perfectly fulfills the role of an everyday toolwatch, allowing you to do everything without worrying about this kind of problem. I'm also disappointed by the Super Luminova, especially on the hands, which fades far too quickly to be readable all night. While yes, the lum is very attractive with its presence on the bezel for the first 20 minutes, it's important to note that night vision is necessary in certain professions, like mine, as a sound technician in live performance.

I have to admit, but many of you already know: I like austere watches, the ones that can't be tamed with a simple glance... Today, I'm sharing with you my thoughts on the Ollech & Wajs OW M-52B AF, a watch that pays tribute to the legendary B-52 Stratofortress bomber. This piece illustrates the time when American aviators trusted all their equipment during missions, whether it was their weapons or their measuring instruments... ▶️ The first thing that catches your eye is the singularity of the dial featuring the silhouette of the most legendary American warplane, the B-52. At first glance, the 39.5 mm diameter and 12.5 mm thick stainless steel case offers a discreet and robust presence on the wrist. The brushed finishes and sleek design are reminiscent of 1960s military watches, including the B-905 model that Ollech & Wajs designed for American aviators during the Vietnam War. The bidirectional black PVD bezel, apparently inspired by the aerodynamic profile of the B-52 nose, adds a distinctive touch while remaining functional. The bezel makes it easy to measure times under 60 minutes. ▶️ This Ollech & Wajs M-52B AF is water-resistant to 300 meters (30 ATM), like all of the brand's modern watches, except for the models specifically dedicated to diving, which are water-resistant to 1,000 meters (100 ATM). The crown is logically screwed down to guarantee this water-resistance, and the case does not have a crown protector, like the brand's historical aesthetic line... One can always wonder if shoulders framing the crown would contribute more to its robustness. The answer is surely yes, but at the expense of the brand's DNA and its ability to be recognized by lines shared with other models offered. ▶️ The matte black dial is adorned with the white silhouette of the B-52 in its center, a direct nod to the original model. The applied indexes at 12, 3 and 9 o'clock, as well as the hands, are coated with cream Super-LumiNova, offering good readability in low light conditions. I spontaneously thought that the illustration of the B-52 was also treated with Super-LumiNova. Fortunately, this is not the case, because it would have greatly affected the readability of the time. On this point, the reading of the time is still impacted when the hands get closer to the wings. The date window at 6 o'clock, with its red numerals, recalls the vintage design of the B-905 and brings a touch of eccentricity without disturbing the DNA of the watch. Note that all days are in red and not alternating red and black to differentiate even and odd days, a feature sometimes called "Date Roulette", like the famous casino game. Admittedly, the geometry of the dial and its very original design arouse the interest of other watch lovers, as I have rarely seen. What could be better than prominently displaying an Ollech & Wajs M-52B AF to break the ice of a dinner party? ;-) ▶️ Under the hood, we find a much more compact configuration, but just as efficient as the enormous Pratt & Whitney turbojets of the Stratofortress! This OW M-52B AF is powered by a Swiss Soprod P024 automatic movement, known for its robustness and reliability. With a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and a power reserve of 38 hours, this caliber ensures adequate precision for daily use. In our wildest dreams, we would love to have a larger power reserve, reminiscent of the B-52s that could fly nearly 10,000 miles without refueling at the time… ▶️ The watch comes with a black RAF NATO-type nylon strap, reflecting its military heritage, the same type as the gray on which the model I wore for many days was mounted. This strap is really more comfortable than the classic NATO, which makes the watch float on the wrist. Safety, essential for the military, is always there, even if one of the pumps were to give way. For those who prefer a more radical or elegant touch, depending on each person's taste, a stainless steel mesh strap is available as an option. The watch thus gains in versatility and adapts to various occasions, depending on each person's lifestyle. Wearing the Ollech & Wajs OW M-52B AF, you can feel the weight of history and the brand's commitment to producing reliable watches for professionals. It is a piece that combines the brand's tradition with modern features, while paying tribute to an iconic era of military aviation. ▶️ Offered at CHF 1,356 (price including the RAF nylon strap), the Ollech & Wajs M-52B AF presents a beautiful proposition of intrinsic and figurative values, with uncompromising technical specifications adapted to the historical positioning of the brand's military watches. It offers an optional steel mesh bracelet for a more radical look, for an additional CHF 146. Watchmaking being a matter of details, the brand takes care to offer its watches at prices ending in "56", in homage to its year of creation in 1956... But we're not going to recommend that they increase the price of the steel bracelet, all the same ;-) ▶️ Sobriety, performance and the ability to break the ice are surely my key words for this OW! My "Mood Board" with this Ollech & Wajs M-52B AF: Film: Platoon (Oliver Stone) Car: Jeep Willys Music: Volunteers (Jefferson Airplane) All the technical specifications below or on the brand's website.

A quick look back after a little less than a year of using this @ollechandwajs Astrochron. The key points to remember are the circumstances of use. I've used this watch for mountain biking, swimming, motorcycling, and of course everyday life. Operating temperatures range from 0°C to 32°C, worn on this superb @zealandeofficial fkm. Regarding timekeeping, the watch loses an average of 8 seconds per day. The case is durable and shows few scratches despite intensive use, so the quality of the steel is very good. As for the pushers, the handling is quite firm without interfering with their activation. They are very solid, since despite a few bumps, they haven't budged. The crown, when it has a screw thread, is sometimes quite difficult to engage, so it is recommended to be careful how you tighten it. The water resistance is perfectly adequate for my use, as it's rated for 500 meters. I tested the pushers in a pool, and the results were perfectly convincing, as no trace of moisture appeared inside the watch. As for readability, it's very good; however, it would have been nice to be able to distinguish the timing hands by coloring them, for example, a very dark blue or orange. The bezel, for its part, is quite easy to operate and very readable, even at night, as it features a Luminova coating. As for the watch's luminosity, although it falls short of some diving watches, it is perfectly readable until morning. Here's a brief summary of my experience with this watch, which, for me, represents the near-perfect toolwatch. There are still some areas for improvement, such as the watch's somewhat excessive weight, which could be resolved with a titanium case, and especially the rapid reading of the chronograph, which is not easy because the steel-colored hands do not stand out sufficiently.

I went for this OW Astrochron because I was looking for a chronograph whose aesthetics I liked, well finished, automatic, original and technically accomplished. Its exceptional resistance is a plus even if I do not intend to use its guaranteed water resistance for 500 meters. It is a kind of hybrid between a diving, sports and exploration watch. It is precise with an average deviation of +4 seconds per day for my copy. Its thickness is not annoying and sits perfectly on my wrist. A button dedicated to the quick adjustment of the date is also very appreciable. I really like its luminescence and its date window, very well integrated into the design of this watch.

Readable and original: This mk1 offers us a beautiful readability thanks to its hands, its dial not too busy and maybe its domed glass Funny and serious, waterproof to 1000m without valve, a crown that would perhaps deserve a better integration, its characteristics are really serious, it is funny with this owl head as a logo that I love, the design of the hands, the 3 indexes treated in luminescence material and which are yellow on the mk1 The date on a black background is very well integrated I do not like the steel bracelet that I find uncomfortable, I preferred to add a hippopotamus leather from the Parisian bracelet workshop The price is correct for a model that is quite iconic for me and a historic brand. some new brands should follow its example....

The watch is beautiful, well finished, precise. I fell in love with this watch the first time I saw it, its black and orange dial, its big hands specific to the OW brand. The movement is a "tractor" so no fear for reliability. I wear it very often as it is difficult for me to remove it from my wrist. In summary, it is a purchase that I do not regret and recommend to everyone.

This watch with its atypical khaki color is amazing. Its brushed case and monochrome dial can give it an austere character and size for adventure on a motorbike or in the forest. However, as soon as the light appears, its dial shines and the yellow color of the hands emerges to give it shine. Thus, this watch follows me every day, under a shirt, or on a walk. Its 300m of water resistance also allows it to be used as a diver. Finally, its magnificent steel bezel allows it to be associated with the GMT function when traveling. Finally, its associated leather strap is exceptionally comfortable and soft.

If every morning I swim at a depth of minus 500 meters for my daily relaxing apnea session, I never forget my warrior because I know that she can withstand extremely low temperatures but also the crazy pressure that even gives me a headache when I stay more than 15 minutes without breathing... In reality, I admire her underwater with my swimming goggles when I do my breaststroke at the SPA hotel in Villars in Switzerland. At sea, she shines in the sand and shells and accompanies me as soon as I do stupid things in the mountains. The blue color of the Arctic oceans fascinates me and I know that when we return together to Alaska, she will attract the polar bears that I did not see during my first trip. This watch on its rice grain bracelet gives me confidence; On its braided perlon bracelet, I want to go to the marina and watch a regatta on a giant screen with a good whisky. One day I put a leather on it, the cow, it was superb and I imagined myself in a 79 Corvette Stingray, my arm on the door, my hair in the wind, the sun in its mouth. This automatic chronograph is quite thick but gives confidence. It is a raw watch that can take on several aspects and which has proven useful in some of my adventures. The brushing of the hands, the compass bezel, the date and the quick adjustment, the color of the dial, the thickness of the sapphire, the technical specifications of the watch and the people who run the brand and who are its ambassadors, everything made me want to own one and play with it.

A watch ready for adventure, cold, heat, the sea (1000m waterproof!!!), the mountains, the metro, running, hiking, etc. etc. Yes, but all this with style, precision and radical design. I have become a true fan of the brand, its history but also totally convinced of the seriousness of the relaunch by its buyer, Charles Le Ménestrel. In terms of case, its 39.5mm suits me perfectly and its rather long lugs allow to refine the overall balance of the case which is, it must be said, very thick (between 15 and 16mm). You have to try it to realize the very good balance of this watch which is not at all clumsy in my eyes. Note that the watch runs impeccably, powered by a perfectly coherent ETA 2824-2 movement and well adjusted by the watchmakers at OW. Bought second-hand (almost new) via Chrono24 for barely 1000 euros, I don't see many serious competitors that can compete with this watch that is both logical and classy. A small downside that was quickly rectified: the glass insert that overhangs the graduated bezel was damaged after a few weeks in a very urban environment and without me realizing it. Once contacted, the after-sales service answered me, in French, quickly and took charge of the repair (still under warranty). The watch was returned repaired in less than 4 weeks. This hassle, although it surprised me a lot, confirms the seriousness of the OW house, from whom I had not bought the watch new.

Small C1000, well-known diver from the Ollech & Wajs brand, here in a limited series of 100 pieces for the 70th anniversary of the FAGN "Forces Aeriennes de la Gendarmerie Nationale" Blue hands, gendarmerie logo, special bezel, and case back engraved for the occasion. Mounted on blue nato and driven by a Newton caliber, this version retains the 1000m specs and exudes the quality of the original C1000. A very cool piece 👌