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The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Inspired by aviation instruments, this Sinn 556 A RS has everything going for it.

The inspiration is logical, since Sinn started out manufacturing navigation instruments for the aeronautics industry.

I was truly captivated by its simplicity, legibility, and the fact that this model has a real identity.
It's available with a white second hand ("model 556 A") and a red second hand ("model 556 A RS"), which I prefer as it gives it an even more tool-watch feel.
The date is very discreet (between 4 and 5 o'clock). Good eyesight is recommended, as the date is very small! Personally, I could have done without it, but ultimately, it's only visible if you're looking for it. The build quality is excellent; it's solid, with a quality bracelet featuring screw-down links. The clasp is a little stiff; perhaps it needs adjusting?

The transparent case back is a nice touch.
It's always a pleasure to wear; it offers that little something extra compared to other watches.

Everything to please

A revival of the 1958 model, this Black Bay 58 has truly made a successful comeback.
Having owned several brand-name watches, I must say that this BB 58 ticks all the boxes.
Its aluminum bezel, its 39mm case, its perfectly sized crown, its gold-plated hour markers and hands, its very comfortable bracelet, and its simultaneously vintage and modern look are all highlights.

I would add that the clasp is of a quality I haven't encountered anywhere else, to my knowledge, and the winding mechanism is exceptionally smooth.

The bezel also has incredible clicks.

Finally, I'll mention that it's a no-date watch; I prefer this complication, except when the date is displayed at 6 o'clock. Tudor, Rolex's little sister, makes one wonder if the latter is of higher quality?
I have only one word to describe this BB 58: Perfect

Perfect

This watch is generating a lot of discussion, from its price to its design... A reissue of the world's first digital watch, the Pulsar from 1972, the Hamilton PSR captivated me with its vintage yet modern look.
At over €800 new, it might seem expensive, but the quality is undeniable. The display is always on, visible depending on the wrist's position, and illuminates for a few seconds when the pusher is pressed.
Admittedly, there's no date, no chronograph, and no alarm, but it has a unique look.
Its strap is very comfortable and of good quality, as is its case.
Two display colors are available: red (like the original Pulsar) and green. I chose the green one.
This watch fits perfectly among my other mechanical models. Many will say the price is excessive for a quartz watch, which I understand, but make no mistake, this is a quality watch, without any rivals, and it provides real pleasure on the wrist. Even James Bond wore it...

You either love it, or you hate it!

A watch I've owned for three years, designed for diving thanks to its legibility and robustness, even though I don't dive! Its crown is perfectly shaped for winding and easy adjustments. The bezel is also very easy to grip and adjust, with a very satisfying click feel. I only wear it on a NATO strap, which suits it perfectly.

For me, the MK1 version is better designed than the new C-1000 MK2, particularly in terms of the dial. The C-1000 inscription at 3 o'clock and the black date window matching the dial color really give it a distinct identity, something that makes the MK1 so charming.

It's solid

The ZRC Grands Fonds 38 is a watch that breaks the mold, actually a 39mm.

It features a screw-down crown at 6 o'clock (which unscrews clockwise, unlike other brands).

Personally, I find this rather clever, as you unscrew the crown by winding it in the same direction.

Its angular case, paired with a 70s-style bracelet (I removed the two long links), is best enjoyed with its two solid expandable links and smaller links.

The clasp is also unusual; it takes a bit of practice to close, and it's best to be seated for this operation!

Its legibility is truly excellent, designed for divers, with record-breaking luminosity in the dark.

Personally, I love its dial, its markers, and its hands.
This watch is a real success in this version. You might not like its look, but it truly shines on the wrist. Very comfortable to wear, with its extensions that adapt to your wrist.
I love it!

She's changing the rules

I'm completely smitten with this Hanart chronograph, which I first saw on Steve McQueen's wrist. The story behind this watch is that the actor wore it every day.

It's quite thick, but that works perfectly with its vintage look.

It's very legible with remarkable luminescence in the dark, as you'd expect from a pilot's watch.

The crown is ideally sized for easy adjustments, and it feels premium when winding (it's manual).

The Bund leather strap is supple, comfortable, and high-quality.
Initially reissued in a 42mm version, Hanart later released it in a 39mm version, like the original. It's this 39mm version that I bought, which I think is the perfect size for this model.
In short, a watch I never tire of, and one that looks great on a variety of straps.

La Steve McQueen

The Sinn brand was created in 1961 by the visionary pilot and watchmaker Helmut Sinn in Frankfurt, Germany. Helmut Sinn was a World War II fighter pilot and survived several plane crashes. He used this experience to design shock and vibration resistant watches for German Air Force pilots and soldiers.&nbsp;
Additionally, the Sinn brand was the first to use helium for commercial diving watches, providing greater safety for professional divers. The Sinn brand is also known for working with NASA to develop watches for use in space. The range includes models like the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sinn/556">Sinn 556</a>, the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sinn/ezm_3">Sinn EZM 3</a>, the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sinn/u1">Sinn U1</a>, the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sinn/103_st">Sinn 103 ST</a>, the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sinn/104_st">Sinn 104 ST</a> and the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sinn/u50">Sinn U50</a>.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Sinn watch cost?</h2>
Prices of new Sinn watches evolve regularly and differ depending on the model. Most cost between &euro; 1,500 and &euro; 3,000 depending on the finishes. Price differences can be significant between the brand's different collections. For example, the price of a <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sinn/556">Sinn 556</a> fluctuates between &euro; 1,325 &euro; and &euro; 1,474 and the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sinn/356">Sinn 356 chronographs</a> oscillate between &euro; 2,390 and &euro; 2,865. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a Sinn cheaper than on the brand's website.
<h2 dir="ltr">Sinn: Instrument watches Made in Germany</h2>
Sinn is an independent brand and produces around 14,000 watches per year, all models combined. To choose the Sinn that best suits you, The Dialicious owners&rsquo; reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating the different models through the real experience of owners, like this <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sinn/556/review/6490174522c1b516e673a413">review of the Sinn 556</a>, one of the brand's flagship models. Sinn is one of the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_german_watch_brands">most popular german watch brands</a>.
(Updated April 2024)

Perhaps the most versatile watch I have ever owned. A good diameter, good water resistance, a great bracelet, a dial of a truly original blue that changes from a pastel color to a sparkling dark blue. My everyday watch that follows me to the office and when traveling. It may only be missing a beautiful clasp at the bracelet level. To conclude, with it we can create lots of memories and for me that is the hallmark of a good timepiece.

Are 556 IB 

But of course, that dial...
In real life, it appears less "red and black" and more like a gradient from brown to orange, which explains why it's nicknamed NEGRONI, like the cocktail made with gin, Campari, and red vermouth.
I was drawn to Sinn's 556 model, the brand's most refined, the most legible, the ultimate tool watch that can be worn anywhere and in any circumstance, but the classic black dial seemed a little too... classic.
Sinn regularly releases variations of its bestseller. When I saw this 200-piece limited edition, I immediately fell for it. No date, stick indexes (which I prefer to the large 3-6-9-12), no unnecessary fluff, and the 5-link steel bracelet is also my favorite.
The dial and exclusivity unfortunately come at a price, as it costs an additional 800 euros compared to the classic version.
The proportions are perfect, and it's very comfortable to wear thanks to the jubilee bracelet that hugs the wrist and its curved lugs.
The satin-finished steel case is solid, and the bulge at the crown gives it a very "industrial" look, reminiscent of a German weapon of war, understated and effective. But, thanks to the delicacy of the sunray dial, the Germanic rigor fades, and the Italian gentleman can swirl the ice cubes in his cocktail glass.
The watch is water-resistant to 200 meters, the crown is screwed down, the time is easily readable day and night, and the deviation is a few seconds per month.
The transparent sapphire crystal case back reveals a soberly decorated but attractive movement.
The case is well finished, and includes spring bars, a bottle of oil, and an additional black calfskin strap with the appropriate tool.
Cheers!


Not just for the dial...

Sinn, a German brand known without being too well-known, that's what I like. The Sinn 556 is the entry-level watch and has 4 references, mine, the 556A, has 4 Arabic numerals 3,6,9 and 12 with a white second hand.
This Sinn exudes the tool watch, it is entirely brushed, easy to read, water-resistant to 200m, a crown protector and finally a ghost date that sticks perfectly to the watch.
Its only "non-tool" side is the transparent case back revealing the SW-200. Mine has a gold rotor that is now silver.
For its price, you get what you pay for.

In the end, making a simple watch is not easy, Sinn has succeeded with this 556A.

A very successful tool watch

The ultimate field watch, the Sinn 556 is a robust, precise and uncompromising tool watch. The sleek design of the 556A fully contributes to this impression of efficiency. In terms of specifications, we are on safe values, even proven: sapphire crystal, 200m water resistance with screwed and protected crown, anti-magnetism and above all unbeatable readability! The large Arabic numerals 3, 6, 9 and 12 in white on a matte black background and the white hands allow an almost instantaneous reading of the time. The date window is very discreet, almost invisible if we compare the size of the font to that of the hour numerals. The design of the hands is particularly successful, with their black bases they seem to float on the dial. I also appreciate its contained diameter of 38.5mm which gives it a certain discretion. In short, a versatile watch but whose charm strangely lies in its simplicity or even its rigor. A daily watch that is very likely to remain stuck to my wrist!

Sinn 556A: the perfect field

I absolutely love everything about this watch.

For me, its proportions are perfect: the ratio of diameter to lug width to thickness to lug width is just right.

The matte black dial stands out beautifully against the double-sided anti-reflective crystal.

The dial itself may seem simple, but it exudes a clear sense of balance on the wrist. There's no text, just 12-3-6-9 numerals and deceptively simple hour markers, but everything seems perfectly placed and sized.

The date window is very well integrated.

I also love the crown diameter, especially the crown guard, which I think contributes significantly to the overall balance of the case.

There are no polished parts, which adds a touch of ruggedness but also a discreet and elegant feel.

The H-link bracelet conveys both robustness and a sporty look. The clasp is simple yet effective. I can't imagine this watch on any other bracelet than its steel one, to be honest.

Overall, the finish is impeccable.

Nothing special to say about the movement, a well-known SW200. However, I find the rotor rather ineffective for winding. Apart from that, the accuracy is quite good.

The set includes a tool for removing links and threadlocker, which is just great.

Because I have to find some drawbacks, I would say that the satin-finished steel is quite prone to scratches. Also, the luminescence is very basic, neither powerful nor long-lasting.

For me, it's an essential watch that ticks a lot of boxes, but it has become too expensive for a simple three-hand watch with a basic SW200 movement (two and a half years ago I already thought it was quite pricey, but now...).

Pure efficiency

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)

Sinn 556 is a model launched in 2008, conceived as a simple, legible German tool-watch rooted in the brand&rsquo;s cockpit instruments: a clean dial (556 I with indices, 556 A with 3-6-9-12), a 38.5 mm satin-steel case, sapphire crystals front/back and a screw-down crown for 200 m water-resistance. Now driven by Sellita&rsquo;s SW200-1 automatic (earlier ETA 2824-2), the 556 targets everyday versatility (office/weekend) rather than extreme specialization, prioritizing clarity, sturdiness and compact ergonomics.
<h3>Design &amp; legibility: the model&rsquo;s identity</h3>
The 556 distills Sinn&rsquo;s &ldquo;instrument&rdquo; DNA: bold baton hands, crisp markers (or quarter-hour numerals on the A), a precise minute track and a very open dial impression thanks to the thin bezel; the black can be matte (A) or slightly glossy (I), with occasional colorful series broadening the palette, such that the signature is a no-nonsense face where every marking serves readability.
<h3>Case, strap and daily comfort</h3>
The 38.5 mm satin-steel case (&asymp; 45.5 mm lug-to-lug; 20 mm lugs) wears controlled and confident, brings 200 m/20 bar (DIN 8310) and dual-AR sapphire front with a sapphire display back; on fine-link steel or leather/rubber, the watch stays planted thanks to straight lugs and low mass, meaning the 556 is equally happy on tight steel or supple leather without sacrificing clarity.
<h3>Movement: architecture, performance and care</h3>
Early 556s used ETA&rsquo;s 2824-2, now replaced by Sellita&rsquo;s SW200-1 (4 Hz, about 38&ndash;41 h) with hacking and hand-wind; Sinn regulates and seals its watches (screw-down crown), so a 4&ndash;6-year service cadence suits normal wear, with a pressure test whenever seals are changed, and the SW200-1 plus Sinn construction delivers steady accuracy with instant setting.
<h3>Timeline &amp; main models (2008&ndash;2025)</h3>
(2008) Sinn 556 &ldquo;First Series&rdquo;:
The 556 debuts as the instrumental gateway: 38.5 mm satin case, black baton-index dial, date at 3, ETA 2824-2 and 200 m WR. The concept: a go-anywhere tool that&rsquo;s less &ldquo;technical&rdquo; than a U-Series diver yet dressier than a pilot chronograph, with a sapphire back to showcase the mechanics. Alternating leather or steel bracelets, this blueprint anchors the entire family, and a practical umbrella identifier is Sinn 556.
(2011) Sinn 556 I &ldquo;Indices&rdquo;:
Applied markers and a slightly glossy black dial with date at 3, pushing the &ldquo;sport-elegant&rdquo; angle; the uncluttered look&mdash;no verbose text&mdash;makes it an easy daily, while the sapphire back flatters the movement. The compact footprint slips under cuffs and pairs naturally with smooth leather or tidy steel. For catalog mapping, commercial materials often fold this into Sinn 556 I.
(2011) Sinn 556 A &ldquo;3-6-9-12&rdquo;:
&ldquo;Cockpit&rdquo; reading: quarter-hour numerals, matte black contrast and luminous blocks/hands; identical dimensions and WR, this A speaks to fans of functional graphics while remaining shirt-friendly on black leather. Later variants preserve the simple, effective codes, and the corresponding catalog entry is Sinn 556.
(2016) Sinn 556 Anniversary (55th Anniversary LE):
Limited to 1,000: anthracite sunburst dial with &ldquo;1961&ndash;2016&rdquo; replacing &ldquo;AUTOMATIK&rdquo;, sometimes no-date depending on series; the same 38.5 mm case, sapphire back and 20 bar rating. The goal: transpose the tool spirit into a dressier register via texture and light. Numbering sits on the rotor and wearability stays universal; reference codes vary by lot, so we list Sinn 556 Anniversary.
(2018) Sinn 556 I B &ldquo;Blue Sunburst&rdquo;:
A dark-blue electroplated sunburst dial (often no-date for certain runs) that exploits the 556&rsquo;s restraint to deliver a brighter personality; it excels on fine-link steel at the office, while brown leather warms the look. WR and dimensions are unchanged, enabling a true one-watch approach.&nbsp;
(2020) Sinn 556 I RS &ldquo;Red Seconds&rdquo;:
Mechanically the same as the 556 I, but with a red sweep seconds adding graphic punch and dynamic legibility; the black/white/red triad underscores the tool vibe without resorting to a rotating bezel or heavy dial text. It suits buyers wanting a subtle sport cue. A frequently cited identifier for the bracelet version is Sinn 556 I.
(2022) Sinn 556 &ldquo;Color Series&rdquo; (limited):
Four hues (Aquamarine, Emerald Green, Carnelian Red, Citrine Yellow), each limited to 400 pieces, retaining the 38.5 mm footprint and &ldquo;daily&rdquo; philosophy. These runs proved the design&rsquo;s plasticity: a tool can be playful without losing clarity, and they broadened the 556&rsquo;s audience significantly.&nbsp;
(2025) Sinn 556 &ldquo;Ice Blue / Sand / Mauve / Sage&rdquo; (limited):
New pastel-guilloch&eacute; dials (Ice Blue, Sand, Mauve, Sage), limited and priced above the classic black versions; same size/architecture, but a more casual-chic vibe. Aimed at wearers wanting Sinn reliability with a confident color story, they confirm the 556 as a platform for restrained expressions.&nbsp;
<h3>Buying advice: size, variants, straps &amp; uses</h3>
Wrists 15&ndash;17 cm: 38.5 mm is exactly the 556&rsquo;s remit; under a cuff, thin bezel and modest thickness promote glide and discretion, hence if torn between &ldquo;tool&rdquo; and &ldquo;dress&rdquo;, the black 556 I is the safest starting point. Dual-AR helps both indoors and outside.
Style: choose &ldquo;A&rdquo; if you want cockpit numerals (3-6-9-12), &ldquo;I&rdquo; if you prefer pure indices, and &ldquo;I B/anniversary/colors&rdquo; for dressier vibes; in every case, personality comes primarily from the dial, as the case is constant. It&rsquo;s a superb base for a minimal rotation.&nbsp;Straps: fine-link steel gives solidity and all-round use, smooth leather softens the watch in formal contexts and rubber boosts outdoor readiness; keeping two straps genuinely transforms a 556 across your week. Mind the 20 mm lug width to expand options.
Technical: if you rarely time things and want a reliable daily, the 556 covers it; 200 m and a screw-down crown handle real life (rain, occasional pool), and a biennial pressure test safeguards the long haul. The SW200-1 services widely at sensible cost.
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
A compact, crystal-clear instrument, the Sinn 556 is for wearers wanting a &ldquo;do-it-all&rdquo; tool watch: readable, robust, everywhere-ready and easy to tune via dials/straps. Pick the face (A vs I), then tone (sober vs expressive), and add a second strap to widen use-cases; to refine your pick, Dialicious customer reviews remain a helpful checkpoint for comfort, readability and everyday reliability.
(Updated September 2025)

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