The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

This 39mm x 13mm tribute chronograph is made of high-quality stainless steel and features a quartz movement with a smooth second hand. The finishing is very decent. The dial has a lovely finish, with a pink that's neither too pale nor too pronounced.
A bit of pink hype for less than €90.
. The same model is available in pastel blue.

The pink you dream of when you sleep...

Why a real GADA? Because with a price of 55 euros and solid stainless steel, you're truly free to do what you want with your watch.
36mm by 11mm, VH31 quartz with a smooth second hand, quality bracelet and applied indexes.
It's comfortable to wear.
As for the flaws: it lacks some chamfering and a better consistency between the steels of the case and bracelet. But 55 euros!


A real GADA with a delicate dial.

The automatic mechanical version of this watch is just over 10 mm thick, which is why I chose the quartz version, with its 7 mm thickness, which gives it incredible class and comfort.
This tribute watch is almost flawless, at less than 1% of the price of the original.
The stainless steel is virtually scratchproof, the sapphire crystal is superb, and the dial is just as good.
The strap is just fine, but a standard size is easily interchangeable.
American class.

Fineness: the price of quartz.

A simple and functional tribute watch.
Finishing off those eight-hour shifts at the factory, I can go make my polo shirt without risking scratching my watch.
Stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, Swiss quartz movement more precise than a Tolex watch, basic leather strap with automatic springs.
A useful watch for those who will never be able to afford the original.

For the toothless who have class.

High-quality tribute watch with an impressive case and a solid bezel, with a pleasant, well-centered sound.
The watch exudes a sense of density that could be misleading to the blind.
I measured it at less than 5 seconds of lag per day regardless of position.
Automatic mechanical watch.



San Martin SN0017 with date on cyclops.

Automatic watch with a power reserve indicated by a small hand at 10 o'clock, small seconds, and sapphire crystal. The case is made of stainless steel and the strap is leather with a pin buckle. It measures approximately 40 mm by 11 mm.
This is an elegant bias-wound watch with an interesting complication for less than €75.
Remarkable.



Sea-Gull watch with dream power reserve.

VK63 Quartz Chronograph Watch. Stainless steel case. Sapphire crystal and intricate case. Hollow lugs. It measures approximately 40 mm by 13 mm.
It's quite heavy, even with its silicone strap.
It's a bit of a throwback, but it's a solid value.
Elegance and sportiness for less than €60.

An imposing case: Pagani YS008

The HX11 is a stainless steel (sapphire crystal) watch featuring a retrograde minute and jumping hour display on a quartz movement, all for less than €180.
Its 44 mm diameter allows it to fit a wrist larger than 18 cm, and its thickness is reasonable at 13 mm.
It's not a favorite watch for me, but I really wanted to try out these complications, and I'm satisfied.
Note that the finish is fully polished. So, I brushed the upper part of the case to give it a more discreet appearance. See photos.
Very good value for money.



A retrograde Sino-Scandinavian.

Here is an atypical watch, especially its dial
Indeed this micro brand has created a work of art on the wrist, inspired by the
The Great Wave of Kanagawa, better known as The Wave, is a famous Japanese print by the Japanese painter, ukiyo-e specialist, Hokusai, published in 1830 or 1831 during the Edo period.
The case is a Seiko 6105-8000 case from the late 60s, water-resistant 200m, 120 click unidirectional bezel, sapphire crystal, full lume dial, it has an exemplary finish and a sacred presence on the wrist.



San Martin ‘ kanagawa’

The San Martin SN0026B with a black dial and metal bracelet is an automatic men's wristwatch that combines a vintage and sporty design with a touch of elegance. Here's a detailed description:
Design and Aesthetics
The SN0026B features a square-shaped case (sometimes described as "cushion" or "square-circular") made of 316L stainless steel. The case diameter is 38mm or 39.5mm, with a lug-to-lug distance of approximately 47mm and a thickness of approximately 12mm, giving it a comfortable presence on the wrist.
The black dial is a key feature of this model. It can have various finishes, including an "oil pressure" pattern or a gradient checkered pattern, adding depth and visual interest. The hour markers are three-dimensional and applied, and the hands, sometimes shaped like a curved snake's head, are coated with a luminescent coating (SLN C3 Green Light or BGW-9 Blue Light) for excellent readability in the dark. The San Martin logo (sometimes a 3D hexagonal logo) is featured on the dial.
The double-curved sapphire crystal with a blue anti-reflective coating ensures optimal clarity and high scratch resistance.
Case and Bracelet
The 316L stainless steel case features a mix of brushed and polished finishes, with clean angles and smooth surfaces. The caseback is screw-down, and the crown is also screwed down, adorned with the hexagonal San Martin logo, contributing to the watch's excellent water resistance.
The bracelet is solid 316L stainless steel with 9 links, with a width of 20mm at the lugs that can taper towards the clasp. The clasp is a folding clasp with safety or a hidden butterfly/push-button clasp, stamped with the San Martin logo. The bracelet is renowned for its strength and comfort, with screw-fastened links for easy adjustment.
Movement and Performance
The SN0026B is equipped with an automatic mechanical movement, which may vary depending on the version:
* PT5000: An automatic movement renowned for its reliability and precision, with a high beat rate (28,800 vibrations per hour).
* SW200: A high-quality, reliable and precise Swiss alternative.
* Hangzhou 6460 (for GMT versions): An automatic movement with a GMT function for displaying multiple time zones.
These movements offer a power reserve of approximately 40 hours and are equipped with a stop-seconds function and manual winding. The watch is water resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters), making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not scuba diving.
In Summary
The San Martin SN0026B with its black dial and metal bracelet is a watch that combines a distinctive and elegant design with robust specifications. It offers excellent value for money for watch enthusiasts looking for a distinctive, versatile (suitable for both casual and formal wear), and reliable piece.

San Martin SN0026B: Retro-Sporty Charm on your Wrist

San Martin is known in the world of tribute watches for being one of the best brands, offering premium quality finishes and a very interesting quality-price ratio, with certainly a higher price than many Chinese competitors who generally range between 80 and 150 €, but quality comes at a price and this model costs around 350 €.
It is therefore obviously a strong tribute to the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5740, with a flawless construction and great beauty.
The on-board movement is a Miyota 9120, automatic and multifunction, which displays the date, day and month in addition to a 24-hour indication, all on 3 sub-dials arranged at 3/6/9 o'clock.
The only small downside is precisely this date window at 4:30 which breaks the harmony and symmetry of the dial I find.
The Dial is just incredible. Beautiful reflections in natural light, the blue is really superb (dark blue ref) and the horizontal lines as well as the San Martin logo add a very classy and controlled touch.
The bracelet is just as successful, extremely comfortable, superb with its brushed and polished finish, it greatly contributes to the beauty of this piece.
It is a very classy, chic and very comfortable watch that brings a nice touch of elegance.
As you will have understood, I am a big fan of this San Martin and it has its place in my collection next to my much more expensive Swiss watches.

A high quality tribute!

A Dive into Homage: San Martin Sub SN017-V3, the Qualitative Alternative

I must admit: I was skeptical about getting a so-called "homage" watch. The label "Chinese watch" evoked heated debates: homage or counterfeit, same fight? Chinese watches = poor quality? These clichés, often repeated, kept me at a distance for a long time. But after seeing positive reviews and reading nuanced comparisons, I decided to take the plunge.

The result? A revelation. The San Martin Sub SN017-V3, a tribute to the famous Rolex Submariner "Hulk" Ref. 116610LV, not only exceeded my expectations, but it also convinced me of the quality that these models can offer.

Impressive Execution

Case and Finishing: The 316L stainless steel case impresses upon first glance. The finishing is impeccable, with a polishing and brushing worthy of much more expensive watches. The 13 mm thickness and 40.5 mm diameter give it a balanced and comfortable presence on the wrist.

The 120-click unidirectional bezel, with its shiny ceramic ring, is remarkably precise, and the BGW-9 luminous markers cast a beautiful blue light in the dark.

Dial and Hands: The green sunray dial, while faithful to the spirit of the Submariner "Hulk", is distinguished by magnificent texturing work. The reflections in the sun are spectacular, although I personally would have preferred a more matte green for a more sober look. The applied indexes and steel hands, covered with luminous coating, are impeccable, even when viewed under a magnifying glass.

The Bracelet: This is probably one of the biggest assets of this watch. In 316L stainless steel, it combines robustness and refinement. The quick adjustment system is incredibly practical and rivals, if not surpasses, that of watches worth several times the price. This feature is a real luxury in everyday life. 

A "Tractor" Movement that Reassures: The NH35 movement from Seiko, known for its reliability and robustness, is here magnificently adjusted. My main fear was to come across a poorly adjusted caliber, but I am amazed by the precision of this watch. With minimal drift, it easily competes with my other automatic watches from more prestigious brands. 

Thoughts on "Homage" Watches: This experience opened my eyes. If we go beyond the clichés, it is clear that some "homage" watches like this San Martin Sub offer exceptional quality for a very competitive price. I had already been seduced by my Sea-Gull 1963, but this watch pushes my respect for Chinese manufacturers even further. 

Of course, I understand those who do not accept homages, but I remind you that the watch industry itself is full of inspirations and similarities between brands. After all, should you taste before judging? I tasted, and it is excellent. 

Conclusion: When Quality and Price Resonate. The San Martin SN017-V3 is not just a tribute. It is a robust, elegant and incredibly well-designed dive watch. It offers unmatched value for money, with features that are sometimes not found on much more expensive models. 

If you are curious or skeptical, I encourage you to try it. Until my next review, I will keep this watch proudly in my collection, as an example that "chinoiserie" does not always rhyme with poor quality. 

A word to the wise. 😉


A Dive into the Tribute

The San Martin Sub-007 is a dive watch from San Martin, which is known for its quality craftsmanship and value for money. They often draw inspiration from classic dive watch designs, and the "Sub" designation suggests a style reminiscent of the Rolex Submariner, a very popular and iconic model in the watch world.

The Sub-007 would likely feature a sturdy stainless steel case, water resistance suitable for diving, a unidirectional rotating bezel with a countdown function, and a screw-down crown. The watch would also feature luminescent hands and markers for visibility in low-light conditions.

San Martin watches are often praised for their build quality and value for money, with many models featuring sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel inserts, and high-quality automatic movements, all at a price that is affordable to a wide range of watch enthusiasts.

Sub-007 Japan NH35A

Your lifestyle is what it is and you dream of a Submariner. A so-called "homage" watch, with its flaws (not legitimate, a copy for many), can partially fill this gap. Forget the versions from Steinhart or Revue Thommen; for less money, the SN0017 San Martin offers you a very well-built watch with impeccable finishes and very solid features: sapphire crystal, beautifully brushed 40.5 mm case, 20 ATM water resistance, comfortable and good quality strap, ceramic insert, Seiko NH35, real tractor... and so on. Every time I pick it up, what stands out is its amazing value for money (a price under 250 euros) and of course its incredible, although not legitimate, design. Unfortunately, I compromised the water resistance of my watch when I hit the sapphire crystal (visible next to the "20" on the insert) and I will no longer be able to use it in the pool. We can congratulate ourselves that the Dongguan (China) brand has been releasing so-called "non-homage" models for a year with some success.

A very high-quality "poor" sub

La marque Ollech &amp; Wajs a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 1956 par Joseph Ollech et Albert Wajs &agrave; Zurich en Suisse. Albert &eacute;tait charg&eacute; de la conception, de l&rsquo;ing&eacute;nierie et de la fabrication des montres, tandis que Joseph s&rsquo;occupait du marketing et de la vente au d&eacute;tail. Avant de cr&eacute;er leur propre montres sous la marque Ollech &amp; Wajs, ils ont commenc&eacute; leur activit&eacute; en 1954 en fabriquant des bracelets en acier pour d&rsquo;autres marques.
La marque est connue pour avoir distribu&eacute; des montres &agrave; des unit&eacute;s de l&rsquo;arm&eacute;e am&eacute;ricaine pendant la guerre du Vietnam et pour avoir gagn&eacute; sa renomm&eacute;e aupr&egrave;s des plongeurs et pilotes du monde entier.
Apr&egrave;s 12 ans de n&eacute;gociation et apr&egrave;s avoir &eacute;t&eacute; son distributeur pour le march&eacute; fran&ccedil;ais, en 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, un passionn&eacute; d&rsquo;horlogerie, rach&egrave;te la marque. La gamme actuelle comprend des mod&egrave;les comme la Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 et la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph">Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> et la Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2>Combien co&ucirc;te une montre Ollech &amp; Wajs ?</h2>
Les prix des montres Ollech &amp; Wajs &eacute;voluent et diff&egrave;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent entre CHF 1,500 et CHF 2,000 selon les mod&egrave;les et les finitions. Comptez CHF 1,456 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI et pr&egrave;s de CHF 2,300 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronographe. Le march&eacute; de l'occasion est &eacute;galement une opportunit&eacute; &agrave; regarder pour acheter une Ollech &amp; Wajs moins ch&egrave;re. Les mod&egrave;les Vintage notamment les Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron et&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, sont tr&egrave;s pris&eacute;es des collectionneurs et ils convient de bien se renseigner sur le vendeur avant de franchir le pas de l'acquisition d'une vintage.
Ollech &amp; Wajs est une marque de montres ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines de montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une Ollech &amp; Wajs qui vous correspond le mieux,&nbsp;les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
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 Octobre 2024)

The brand Ollech &amp; Wajs was created in 1956 by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs in Zurich, Switzerland. Albert was responsible for the design, engineering and manufacturing of the watches, while Joseph handled marketing and retail sales. Before creating their own watches under the brand Ollech &amp; Wajs, they started their business in 1954 making steel bracelets for other brands.
The brand is known for distributing watches to units of the American army during the Vietnam War and for having earned its reputation among divers and pilots around the world.
After 12 years of negotiations and after having been its distributor for the French market, in 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, a watchmaking enthusiast, bought the brand. The current range includes models like the Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph"> Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> and the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does an Ollech &amp; Wajs watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Ollech &amp; Wajs watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between CHF 1,500 and CHF 2,000 depending on the models and finishes. Expect to pay CHF 1,456 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI and close to CHF 2,300 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronograph. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Ollech &amp; Wajs. Vintage models including the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, are very popular with collectors and they should find out about the seller before taking the step of purchasing a vintage one.
Ollech &amp; Wajs is an independent watch brand and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an Ollech &amp; Wajs that best suits you, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.
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 October 2024)

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