The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

Typically the watch I had always heard about without ever considering it. Rather interested in divers and 3 hands, I had never been tempted by chronos. And then a meeting with an enthusiast and a visit to a watchmaker to try one did the rest. Some research on a 311, or a really vintage 145 before, but without finding anything exceptional in terms of condition. Finally, a video by Xavier on Dialicious to react to the launch of the new 310 co-axial made up my mind. Once on my wrist, the charm worked. Timeless and captivating vintage comfort and elegance. I like everything about this watch, the proportions are divine, the readability is maximum. This matte powder black dial which contrasts with these white indexes and hands, this Omega logo painted on this Hesalite version. The lyre horns, the “dot over ninety”, the step dial… Supreme and old-fashioned luxury, the manual winding… Conquered!

Moonwatch co-axial Hesalite

A watch that caught my eye in the early 2000s. This full titanium aquatimer 2000 is the descendant of the first super compressor aquatimer from the 1960s. The water resistance has since increased from 200m to 2000m, which is very reassuring when washing your hands... the 42mm case and 14mm thick remain very comfortable thanks to its superb integrated bracelet. I like its great readability and the contrast of the yellow on this matte black dial, magnified by a beautiful slightly domed sapphire crystal, without deformations. The balance is perfect in every way. A very special watch, retro futuristic, masculine but without being aggressive or superlative. An undeniably youngtimer. The lightness and softness of titanium in addition. Found with box and papers in mint condition. I'm a fan.

IWC Aquatimer IW353803

Discreet luxury. A distinctive and singular design like that of the Ellipse, launched in 1968 with the reference 3548. Designed according to the formula of the golden ratio, or divine proportion, a geometric concept found in nature or architecture. Symbol of beauty and harmony. The reference presented here is the 3738 called jumbo (35mm) introduced in 1977 in the Patek catalog. This is the first generation with automatic winding introducing the legendary caliber 240 with micro-rotor which allows the elliptical case to retain all its finesse. Tempted at first by the classic yellow gold model, the encounter with this extremely rare white gold Ellipse made me take the plunge. The white gold makes it more modern and more discreet. A marvel of elegance, sobriety and refinement. Special mention to its sunburst blue gold dial, Patek secret, which opens a door to the sky and also to the elliptical buckle of the bracelet. A watch with a unique shape. A jewel.

Divine Ellipse 

Another desire for a second time zone but which does not look like a GMT Master. I appreciate the hyper readability and warmth of this dial, with this very light and subtle patina of the ceramic indexes. The snowflake yellow GMT hand tipped the balance. Color is life! A watch with a very nice presence on the wrist even if it is a little plump, it must be admitted. 1mm or 2mm less thickness would have been welcome. But it's okay... The sunray brushed finish of the 24-hour bezel is remarkable. A diameter of 39mm, nicely chamfered horns, a nicely sized crown and a Manufacture MT5652 COSC caliber complete the whole thing. Another nice move from Tudor with a well-positioned price. Something you can't find in its big sister anymore.

Tudor Black Bay Pro

By chance, while passing through a boutique, charmed by the fitting of an Overseas Silver dial, I like sports watches. A telephone number left at random, it commits to nothing… and then a phone call seven months later! The 3-hand date matte black dial had arrived. Ouch. I cracked. My entry into the Holy Trinity. A legendary name, the oldest watch manufacturer in the world, a sublime movement, the hallmark of Geneva… totally unreasonable. No more rationality here. The Maltese cross is everywhere, in the design of the bezel and also the steel bracelet. A luxurious sports watch with enveloping comfort, which knows how to be forgotten, discreet and less ostentatious and identifiable than its famous sisters, unobtainable and almost inaccessible… magnificent with its rubber bracelet. The only regret is that there is no stop second. While the brand offers it on the classic Patrimony. Who knows…

Overseas steel 41mm

A desire for a very classic, fine watch, but with a slight sporty side. With Cartier's renewed vigor on the watch market in recent years, I took the plunge. Cocorico! Even if Swiss made. It goes with everything, under the most fitted shirts with its thickness of 8.8mm. Perfect for the office, but also with jeans and a t-shirt. The steel bracelet and the 100m water resistance for the sporty side and no hassle. And the possibility of changing to a leather strap for a more dressy side. Special mention for the quick fastening system and also the adjustment of the bracelet possible with a toothpick or a Bic pen cap! The medium format is ideal, neither too big nor too small. A nice presence on the wrist. I would have appreciated a date window instead of an index at 3 or 6 p.m. A detail that I appreciate, the blue of the hands that appears under certain lighting. For me an iconic watch, well made, timeless. A basic to have in every wardrobe. And then Cartier is still a beautiful story.

Santos medium automatic 

The Rolex brand was created in 1905 in London by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. It is today based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is recognized worldwide as one of the leading manufacturers of luxury watches. Rolex, often called the &ldquo;Crown brand&rdquo;, is synonymous with prestige, innovation and unparalleled reliability in the watchmaking world.
<h2 dir="ltr">History of the Rolex brand</h2>
The year 1926 marked an important turning point for the brand with the launch of the first waterproof watch, the Rolex Oyster. The robustness and reliability of this watch were spectacularly demonstrated in 1927 when Mercedes Gleitze, a British swimmer, crossed the English Channel with a Rolex Oyster on her wrist.
In 1945, Rolex launched the Datejust, the first automatic watch to indicate the date in a window on the dial. In 1953, Rolex introduced the Submariner watch, capable of withstanding depths of 100 meters. The same year, the brand presented the Explorer watch in homage to the first successful ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, equipped with Rolex watches.
Since its beginnings, Rolex is behind more than 400 patents, attesting to a perpetual search for improvement to guarantee its models unrivaled reliability. This DNA has allowed the brand to launch models that have marked watchmaking history and often become true myths such as the Rolex Daytona or the Rolex GMT-Master.
Since its creation and in particular with exceptional 50s in terms of innovations, Rolex has continued to launch new models and in particular:
1926 - Rolex Oyster 1953 - <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/explorer">Rolex Explorer </a>1953 -<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/submariner"> Rolex Submariner </a>1955 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/gmt-master">Rolex GMT-Master </a>1956 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/milgauss">Rolex Milgauss </a>1956 - <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/day-date">Rolex Day-Date </a>1963 - <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/daytona">Rolex Daytona </a>1967 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/sea-dweller">Rolex Sea Dweller </a>1971 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/explorer_ii">Rolex Explorer II </a>1983 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/gmt-master_ii">Rolex GMT-Master II </a>1992 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/yacht-master_40">Rolex Yacht-Master </a>2007 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/yacht-master_ii">Rolex Yacht-Master II </a>2012 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/sky-dweller">Rolex Sky-Dweller </a>2022 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/deepsea_challenge">Rolex Deepsea Challenge </a>2023 - Rolex Perpetual 1908
Today, Rolex is known for its commitment to perfection, producing approximately one million watches each year, all certified &ldquo;Certified Chronometer&rdquo; the Rolex certification at -2/+2 seconds per day. Rolex is also a major player in the field of philanthropy, supporting numerous programs in the fields of education, environment, arts and sports.
<h2 dir="ltr">What are the iconic models of the Rolex brand?&nbsp;</h2>
Rolex offers a variety of models, each with its own distinctive features. The main and most sought-after models are:
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/submariner">Rolex Submariner</a></h3>
The Rolex Submariner is a professional diver's watch featuring a 41mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 30 ATM, Oyster bracelet with Rolex Glidelock extension system, automatic movement caliber 3230 , a black dial with luminous indexes, and a unidirectional rotating bezel with black Cerachrom disc. The Rolex Submariner often mistakenly called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/submariner">Rolex Submariner No Date</a> is a watch that does not have a date unlike the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/submariner_date"> Rolex Submariner Date</a> which features the famous cyclops.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/datejust_36">Rolex Datejust</a></h3>
The Rolex Datejust is an elegant and versatile watch with a 36mm Oystersteel and yellow gold case, water resistance up to 10 ATM, Jubilee bracelet, caliber 3235 automatic movement, champagne dial with diamond indexes, and a date complication with the famous Cyclops magnifying glass.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/day-date_36">Rolex Day-Date</a></h3>
The Rolex Day-Date, also nicknamed <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/day_date">Rolex President</a>&nbsp;due to its association with many heads of state and influential figures, is another iconic watch from the Rolex brand. It is famous for displaying both the date and the day of the week in full, in addition to the time. The day of the week is usually indicated in full, adding a distinctive touch to its dial.
Traditionally, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/day-date_36">Day-Date</a> is offered in an 18-carat gold case, whether in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum. This characteristic gives it a luxurious and prestigious look. The Day-Date bracelet called President is an iconic bracelet specially designed for this model, composed of three large and robust semi-circular links. The Rolex Day-Date is equipped with an in-house automatic movement, manufactured by Rolex. These movements are certified Superlative Chronometer for their exceptional precision of -2/+2 seconds per day.
The Rolex Day-Date is available with a wide range of dials, including classic dials with stick indexes, Roman numeral dials, as well as more contemporary dials with engraved designs.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/daytona">Rolex Daytona</a></h3>
The Rolex Daytona is a chronograph watch designed for automobile racing. It features a 40mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, an Oyster bracelet, an automatic caliber 4130 movement, a white dial with black subdials, and a bezel with tachymeter scale.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/gmt-master_ii">Rolex GMT-Master II</a></h3>
The Rolex GMT-Master II is a watch designed for intercontinental travelers, with a 40 mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, an Oyster bracelet, an automatic movement caliber 3285, a black dial with luminous indexes, and a bidirectional bezel with two-tone blue and black Cerachrom disc, allowing to display two time zones simultaneously.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/yacht-master_40">Rolex Yacht-Master</a></h3>
The Rolex Yacht-Master is a luxury watch for sailing enthusiasts. It features a 40 mm Everose gold case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, an Oysterflex bracelet with Rolex Glidelock folding clasp, an automatic caliber 3235 movement, a chocolate dial with luminous indexes, and a bidirectional rotating bezel with brown ceramic Cerachrom disc.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/sky-dweller">Rolex Sky-Dweller</a></h3>
The Rolex Sky-Dweller is a watch designed for world travelers, with a 42mm Oystersteel and white gold case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, Oyster bracelet, caliber 9001 automatic movement, blue dial with luminous indexes, and date, month and second time zone complications.
The <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/sky-dweller">Sky-Dweller</a> with its annual calendar is to date the most complicated watch ever offered by the brand.
<h3 dir="ltr">Rolex Oyster Perpetual</h3>
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the epitome of the classic Rolex watch, with a 28-41mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, Oyster bracelet, caliber 3230 automatic movement, and an electric blue dial with luminous indexes. The Oyster Perpetual or OP is undoubtedly the little sister of the Rolex Datejust with a more discreet identity and a diversity of dials which have evolved over time into multiple colors and tones. The Oyster Perpetual collection models, not escaping the exceptionally strong demand for Rolex watches, are difficult to find, particularly for the most sought-after colors such as &ldquo;Tiffany&rdquo; blue.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/cellini_dual_time">Rolex Cellini</a></h3>
The Rolex Cellini is distinguished by its 39 mm 18-carat Everose gold case, its water resistance up to 50 meters, its brown alligator leather strap with 18-carat gold buckle, its automatic mechanical movement caliber 3132 , its white lacquered dial with applied indexes and dauphine hands.
The collection Cellini is Rolex's line of dress watches, dedicated to the art of fine watchmaking. It has evolved over time, moving from rectangular or asymmetrical watches to a more classic collection including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/cellini_moonphase">Rolex Cellini Moonphase</a>. All models in the Cellini collection pay homage to traditional watchmaking craftsmanship while bringing the technical perfection and contemporary aesthetics of Rolex. The Cellini is ideal for formal occasions and for those who appreciate timeless elegance and refined simplicity.
Despite a great diversity of models since its beginnings in the 1960s, the Cellini collection has struggled to find its place alongside the iconic Rolex models, and was discontinued in March 2023 to be replaced by the Rolex 1908.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/sea-dweller">Rolex Sea-Dweller</a></h3>
The Rolex Sea-Dweller is a professional diving watch, with a 43 mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 4,000 feet, an Oyster bracelet with Rolex Glidelock and Fliplock extension system, an automatic movement caliber 3235, a black dial with luminous indexes, and a unidirectional rotating bezel with black Cerachrom disc.
Since its launch in 1967, the Sea-Dweller or "SD" incorporates a helium valve very useful for professional saturation divers who sometimes have to spend several days in a decompression airlock. The helium molecules being so small - they have made their way inside the casing - must exit through this valve instead of decompressing inside the casing and thus damaging it by making it lose its watertightness. .
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/deepsea">Rolex Deepsea</a></h3>
Finally, the Rolex Deepsea is the ultimate diver's watch, with a 44mm Oystersteel case, impressive water resistance up to 12,800 feet, an Oyster bracelet with Rolex Glidelock and Fliplock extension system, an automatic caliber 3235 movement, a D-blue dial gradient from blue to black, and a unidirectional rotating bezel with black Cerachrom disc.
The Rolex Deepsea is inseparable from director James Cameron known worldwide for numerous films including &ldquo;Titanic&rdquo;. Out of passion for the abyss and to prepare the film &ldquo;Abyss&rdquo;, he co-financed with Rolex an expedition to the Mariana Trench (the deepest place in the earth's crust at -10,908 meters). The prototype&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/deepsea_challenge/126067">Rolex Deepsea Challenge</a> having been attached to the submarine used by Cameron. Rolex will use the patents tested during this expedition to launch the Rolex Deepsea.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/perpetual-1908">Rolex Perpetual 1908</a></h3>
The Rolex Perpetual 1908 is an elegant and contemporary watch, part of the Rolex Perpetual collection. Here are its main characteristics. The watch sports a slim 18-carat (750/000) yellow or white gold case, measuring 39mm in diameter, with graceful lines and a subtly fluted bezel. The dial is available in intense white or intense black, featuring Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12 as well as faceted indexes.
The Perpetual 1908 is equipped with caliber 7140, an automatic movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. It incorporates technological innovations such as the Chronergy escapement and the Syloxi silicon hairspring for high precision and shock resistance. Like all Rolex models, the 1908 benefits from the Rolex &ldquo;Certified Chronometer&rdquo; certification which guarantees performance in terms of precision of -2/2 seconds per day.
The Rolex Perpetual 1908 combines tradition and modernity in a timeless design, embodying the brand's watchmaking excellence and celebrating its aesthetic heritage.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Rolex watch cost?&nbsp;</h2>
Prices for new Rolex watches change every year, but most Rolex models cost between $ 6,000 and $ 40,000. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/oyster_perpetual">Rolex Oyster Perpetual</a> costs around $ 5,000, while a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/day-date_40">Rolex Day-Date 40</a> in yellow gold costs almost $ 40,000. Rolex also offers models made from precious materials and set with diamonds at much higher prices.
<h2 dir="ltr">Rolex: The brand of all superlatives!</h2>
Rolex is more than a watch brand, it is an institution in the world of watchmaking. Renowned for the exceptional quality and reliability of its watches, the brand has carved out a unique place for itself in the world of luxury. Rolex is a preferred choice for those looking for a watch that combines traditional craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology and timeless design. To own a Rolex is to own a piece of watchmaking history, a symbol of success and distinction.
To find out more about the brand and its models, I invite you to consult the official Rolex website. Finally, remember that each Rolex is often considered a work of art, an investment that is passed down from generation to generation. Unsurprisingly, Rolex is part of the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">Ranking of the most popular Swiss watch brands</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_luxury_watch_brands">Ranking of the best luxury watch brands</a>.
To choose the Rolex model that best suits you, Dialicious owners&rsquo; reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating different models through real customer experience. Other customers might prefer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/tudor">Tudor</a>, but that's another story...&nbsp;
(Updated March 2025)

You should never say Fontaine je ne boirai pas de ton eau… I am not a speleologist but rather claustrophobic, rather 40mm than 42 at Rolex and yet… it made me fall in love with its bright white dial and its black-circled indexes, hyper contrasted and hyper readable. And this orange 24-hour hand, I love it, a nod to the 1655 Steve McQueen that he never wore. Freccione for the Italians. As eyesight declines with the forties, it arrives at just the right time. Launched in 2011 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Explorer II, it is powered by the 3187 caliber. With its 31 jewels, its Parachrom hairspring and its Paraflex shock absorbers, it is a modern variation of the 3186 caliber, which was used in the GMT Master II models. A surprisingly fresh watch!

Rolex Explorer II Polar 216570

We only see that, the freshness of the white dial of the Explorer 2, nicknamed Polar, which is aptly named because whatever the light of day or night (Chromalight), it keeps its grace. Although I love the original bracelet, I ventured to Rubber B for a white-orange rubber bracelet that obviously recalls the GMT hand.

Explorizon

Bought new (AD Rolex) in July 2023, I immediately preferred this model with a black dial to the one with a white dial, because at 42 mm in diameter, the black dial makes it visually smaller than with the "Polar" dial (white).
I hesitated with the GMT-Master II Pepsi (€900 difference at the time) and tried both models at my AD. No hesitation about wearing it on the wrist: the 42 mm is visually much prettier than the 40 mm. I have a wrist of almost 19 cm and the 42 mm is more appropriate and fits better.
In addition, with its grayer dial and larger hands, I read the time better ... presbyopia requires it!
I will add that it supports fabric or rubber bracelets extremely well (and very nicely): for the summer, I find it much more pleasant than the steel Oyster, certainly comfortable but which leaves slight black marks on the wrist which sweats.

If there was only one left... the 226570

I was looking for an entry point into the Rolex universe. Of course, there were those iconic models most often seen on the wrists of sophisticated divers, and those fluted dials that irresistibly catch the eye! I certainly like them too, but I wanted a more discreet and less obvious entry. The Explorer seemed ideal to accompany me on my everyday adventures.

It has long since proven itself all over the world, in varied and not always easy environments. It is both straightforward and perfectly legible. Its 24-hour graduated bezel further emphasizes its adventurous side, while the GMT hand adds a touch of vibrancy and originality to this well-balanced dial. The watch's nighttime luminescence is truly ideal when light is scarce.

The basic premise, with its GMT hand allowing the ultimate adventurer to distinguish between day and night when natural conditions make it impossible, makes it a legendary tool.

Some swear by the white dial, but in my case—and this is a personal preference, of course—I much prefer it in black.

The discreet icon...

My first Rolex and I must admit that I am not disappointed, I hesitated with the Polar dial, but the hesitation was short when I was in the presence of this magnificent Explorer 2, this fixed bezel is a marvel, what can I say about the GMT function or rather a day/night marker, I do not know what it conquered but it certainly conquered me, I am crazy about it, I alternate quite often with my other trinkets, as soon as I open my pelicase, my heart beats wildly and this exploII winks at me "me, me, me, me" the 42mm diameter may seem large but it is not, a real daily pleasure. Little known and perhaps unloved, for my part I love it

Towards infinity, pure and simple

I was looking for a watch with a white dial, truly white, not silver, cream, or even light gray—ice white. A chance search led me back to the brand with the crown, and this model met my other requirements: a brushed bezel, GMT function, and a bracelet integrated into the case.

Trying it on in the store was crucial, and I was immediately struck by the smoothness of the bracelet and its perfect harmony with the rest of the watch. Legibility is excellent, and using the GMT function while sedentary is quite appealing, especially considering the orange hand is the primary way to tell the time. On top of all that, the Explorer II reveals a truly striking nighttime appearance, with the added bonus of the markers retaining their color even in mixed or alternating light conditions. What Rolex does best: make watches, and they consistently demonstrate this.

a white background for optimal clarity

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)

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