The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

The main attraction of this timepiece obviously lies in its original time display.
Indeed, while the watch is reminiscent of a wandering hour, it still stands out because there is an hour hand, even if it is divided into three branches and not discs. The hours are read in the arc located at the top of the dial under the bezel.
The minutes can be read through the bezel, and the seconds are marked by a more traditional sweep second hand.
I particularly like the balance wheel and the bridges that secure it, which is particularly remarkable for a watch that's water-resistant to 200 meters... and yes, it's a diver's watch... even if I doubt its readability underwater.
The case is made of matte steel and the crystal is sapphire.
Finally, the strap is made of rubber and is very comfortable. Some will miss the Miyota 8215 base, but it remains very reliable and offers exceptional value for money.

The big blue

Adding a chronograph to my collection was an obvious and important step in my watchmaking journey. However, I wanted a model from a brand that was certainly accessible, but also respected, which is the case with Hamilton.
Furthermore, I didn't want this complication to diminish the dressy character I often seek. So I found what I was looking for with this timepiece, which remains more elegant than sporty.
I particularly appreciate the quality of the finishes: whether it's the dial, the decoration of the oscillating weight, or the folding clasp.
I've always considered the Valjoux 7750 caliber to be a watchmaking essential, so I wanted a model equipped with one of its heirs, which is the case with this H21.
It's a shame that this watch is too thin, barely fitting under a shirt, but this is unfortunately the case with most less expensive automatic chronographs.

Top chrono !

I was particularly impressed by this watch's attractive orange sunray dial.
The poor-quality strap, as well as the Miyota 8215 movement, while reliable and robust but a little rustic, may put some people off, but honestly, is that really a problem for a timepiece in this price range?
The case back is screwed down, not clipped, which is particularly appreciated for a model that is clearly a tool watch.

A Clockwork Orange (automatic)

This watch is truly historic because it is the heir to a model that equipped British troops at the beginning of the 20th century, hence the name. I particularly appreciate the typography of the numbers, as well as the hands, slightly disproportionate to the relatively modest dial. Finally, the very thick glass in the shape of a beveled dome sublimates the tenderly old-fashioned character of the timepiece.

So wow!

This watch has a cushion-shaped mirror-polished steel case. Briston has the great merit of bringing cases of this shape up to date. I appreciate the refined character of the dial and its Bordeaux red color. The pointed hands are very well matched with the indexes. The crown, for its part, is stamped with the brand logo. The original NATO strap detracted from the dressy character of the model, which is why I replaced it with a more elegant leather one. Finally, the white background of the date is a real negative point.

She's in the red!

This watch has a polished steel case - mirror. The dial, a deep blue, offers applied indexes, no numbers, a day/night indicator, as well as a date which has the great merit of having a tone-on-tone background with the dial. The indexes, associated with the sharp hands, give a real impression of dynamism. The original strap, brown in color, gave the model an impersonal appearance. In addition, it attenuated the depth of the blue, which explains its replacement. Finally, it should be noted the overly common character of the case which diminishes the personality of the timepiece.

Ocean blue

The Seiko brand, founded in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori in the Ginza district of Tokyo, has become one of the most influential and respected watch companies in the world. Since the opening of its first store, Seiko has continued a path of constant growth and innovation.
<h2 dir="ltr">History of the Seiko brand</h2>
The year 1924 marked the first watch produced under the Seiko brand. The company continued to develop new technologies, and in 1956 it released the first self-winding wristwatch made in Japan. The real game-changer came in 1969 with the introduction of the Seiko Astron, the world's first quartz watch. This innovation not only changed the direction of Seiko but also revolutionized the entire watch industry.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Seiko solidified its reputation as a technological leader with the development of solar-powered watches and the introduction of professional divers' watches. In 2005, Seiko presented the Spring Drive, a unique movement combining the strength of mechanical watchmaking and the precision of quartz.
In recent years, Seiko has continued to innovate by creating eco-friendly watches and supporting various environmental initiatives. The brand is known for its commitment to quality, precision and sophisticated design.
<h2 dir="ltr">What are Seiko&rsquo;s iconic models?</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko/prospex">Seiko Prospex</a></h3>
This collection is dedicated to those who seek adventure, whether underwater, on land or in the air. The Prospex offers solid cases, water resistance up to 200 meters, steel or silicone bracelets, and automatic or solar movement. These watches are often associated with professional divers and adventurers.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko/presage">Seiko Presage</a></h3>
Bringing together the best of traditional Japanese watchmaking and modern design, the Presage offers stainless steel cases, leather straps, automatic movement, and exquisite dials. The collection is appreciated for its elegance and style.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko/astron">Seiko Astron</a></h3>
This iconic collection represents Seiko innovation. With titanium or stainless steel cases, water resistance up to 100 meters, metal bracelets, solar quartz movement with GPS, the Astron continues to be at the cutting edge of technology.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko/5_sports">Seiko 5 Sports</a></h3>
The Seiko 5 Sports collection is a symbol of youth and dynamism. With steel cases, water resistance up to 100 meters, steel or fabric straps, and automatic movement, it is designed for the active lifestyle.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Seiko watch cost?</h2>
The prices of new Seiko watches change regularly and vary depending on the model. Most cost between &euro;500 and &euro;1,000 depending on the finishes. Price differences can be significant between the brand's different collections. For example, the price of a Seiko 5 fluctuates between &euro;200 and &euro;400 and the Seiko Prospex between &euro;300 and &euro;2,500. Prices also fluctuate depending on the distributor, and promotions sometimes allow you to benefit from a more competitive price. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Seiko.
<h2 dir="ltr">Seiko: An essential brand for starting out in watchmaking</h2>
Seiko is a brand that has charted its path through over a century of innovation and excellence. Its main models reflect a diverse range that meets the needs of sportsmen, divers, luxury enthusiasts and fashionable young people. Seiko's positioning in the watch landscape is unique, offering high quality watches at different price points, and remaining at the forefront of technology and design.
To find out more about these models, the brand's website is a useful information resource. Furthermore, the Dialicious owners' reviews are essential to making the right choice from this historic brand. Choosing a Seiko watch is more than a purchase; it&rsquo;s an investment in a piece of Japanese watchmaking history that continues to shape the future. Some may prefer <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/grand_seiko">Grand Seiko</a> but this is another journey...
Check out the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_japanese_watch_brands">Ranking of the best japanese watch brands</a>, including Seiko.
(Updated November 2023)

This watch has a 38.5 mm mirror-polished steel case. The mix of indexes and numerals enhances the already beautifully sunburst dial, whose grainy texture I particularly appreciate. The crown is also very well crafted, which is quite rare on timepieces in this price range. Like many, I regret the mineral glass as well as the original bracelet, in Milanese mesh, but that does not detract from the beauty of this model.

Beautiful brunette

I had been eyeing this Seiko for months, and I couldn't afford it, because I was a student and had a low income. Limited edition, it completely disappears from sales websites once you have the means in your pocket. It was only during a completely random detour in a shopping mall that I came across a model on display in a store, and I left with it without hesitation. The Presage Cocktail range needs no introduction, but this is the limited "Houjou" model. The dial is simply captivating: this champagne shade, decorated with gold elements on both sides, is simply sublime and I can't stop contemplating it. The leather strap is of excellent quality, very comfortable and very aesthetic. It is a dress-oriented watch, but its diameter of 40.5 on my 16.5 wrist gives it a certain versatility. Indeed, I wear it quite regularly in a "casual" way (with reserved elegance, it is not a sports watch). A change of strap allows it to have this more casual look. It is one of those that I really wanted, and so I would certainly never part with it.

Between elegance and versatility

I really like the model. Being able to see the mechanism is something I really appreciate. The watch is of good quality and it is a pleasure to have it in my collection. 
This is my second Seiko and this brand is truly a favorite. 
The shiny leather strap is unusual at first but you get used to it quickly.

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Star Bar Limited Edition

I received this watch as a gift for my baptism. It is extremely symbolic for me because it encompasses a great deal of mystical symbolism. First of all, it features an open heart that you can see beating when you look at it. It reminds us of the heart we must put into every endeavor in our lives. Seeing the mechanism in motion is very satisfying. The hands are sword-like, like the instruments of knights who embody justice. Finally, the dial is finished in mother-of-pearl honeycomb, which gives it incredible depth depending on the light. The bees symbolize wisdom.
This Seiko Honeycomb is originally a women's model, limited to 3,000 pieces. It was designed to pay homage to the work of Tokyo bartenders. As soon as I wear it, I always receive compliments and questions about this model! I've been in love with it for four years!

A symbolic watch

The Seiko Presage Blue Moon (REF SRPB41J1) is an accessible and elegant watch that will suit many wrists thanks to its contained diameter of 40.5 mm and its case with a thickness of 11.8 mm. Its dial is just sublime thanks to its guilloche finish which gives it a touch of personality.

My opinion on the Seiko Presage Blue Moon

Already having a Seiko 5 in my collection, I had wanted for some time to upgrade to the Seiko range and the absolutely hypnotizing design of this Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Mojito convinced me immediately. Its green dial that changes color depending on the tilt of the watch and the lighting is absolutely magnificent and reminds me of the atmosphere of Japanese films from the 80s, these golden hands and indexes emphasize the vintage side of the watch, as do the format of the case and the crown. The very simple dial makes its readability extremely fluid. Its transparent background is quite appreciable, even if the movement it reveals could have better precision (+10sec/day on mine). We also appreciate the golden oscillating weight that recalls the hands and the very nice leather strap. However, I prefer to wear it on a Milanese mesh which reinforces the vintage side.

Vintage Japanese style at its best

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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