The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

Among the most legendary pieces in watchmaking, the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 occupies a special place. It's much more than a simple chronograph: it's an icon born in 1969, made famous on Steve McQueen's wrist in Le Mans. And today, it's part of my collection.

This model, which I found at Watchfinder, captivated me with its unconventional design: a 39mm square case, the crown positioned on the left, and a petrol blue dial that's as vibrant as it is timeless. The silver counters and red hands reinforce its resolutely racing look, echoing the world of the racetrack.

Wearing this watch means embracing a style, but also a heritage: that of technical audacity (one of the first automatic chronographs) and radical design. I particularly appreciate its perforated leather strap, reminiscent of pilot's gloves, and its automatic caliber 11, which drives the heart of this legend with precision and reliability.

The Monaco is my first blue dial, and it never goes unnoticed. It has joined my collection as a nod to history, but also as a piece I will happily wear, especially this summer, with a linen shirt... Because some watches just aren't meant to be left in a box.

Tag Heuer Monaco Calibre 11

This Navitimer has a crazy charm! This vintage gold and steel model was the model worn by Serge Gainsbourg who had replaced the leather strap with a steel bracelet at the time because of his sweating problems. Its more contained case with its 41mm is more easily wearable for small wrists than the recent 43mm models. The reverse panda dial, the old winged logo and this gold/steel combination make this Breitling a must have for any collector of watch icons.

Breitling Navitimer 81600

A family watch that belonged to my great-grandfather and therefore has great sentimental value. It has a crazy class before its small rose gold case and its chrono function with red hand which gives it this little sporty touch. I had it restored by my watchmaker when I received it and I installed a brown racing strap. It pleases everyone because it combines sportiness, discretion and class. I am still careful because it remains fragile so I only wear it for family meals.

Oska chronograph Landeron movement

The indestructible watch! With its design straight out of the 80s, the G-shock is a must-have for any collector. It offers all the features with alarm, chrono, date display… with a cool look, incredible comfort and a really affordable price! It will follow you on all your adventures and no one is ever disappointed to get a G-Shock. A piece of watchmaking history on the wrist!

Casio G-Shock GW-M5610U-1ER

The latest arrival in my collection, this Panerai seduced me with its contained diameter of 40mm and its water resistance to 300m. This model is no longer produced and has been replaced by the Quaranta with the same diameter with a thinner case but with a lower water resistance of 100m. It also has the particularity of having a cyclops for the date. Its massive style and its very luminescent indexes make this watch immediately recognizable with its famous crown protector and its rubber very pleasant to wear. It should be noted however that this watch is relatively heavy even if you get used to it quickly.

Panerai Luminor Marina PAM00048

An icon in my collection that is added to my 2nd watch of form that is so close and so different at the same time: the Tank de Cartier.
I am totally under the charm of its guilloche dial and its sumptuous finishes.
From the dial to the buckle to the alligator leather strap…
Everything breathes great luxury on this watch!
And what a pleasure to rock this very fine case!
This Reverso is a must have and a great classic of watchmaking that I highly recommend to any enthusiast.


Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso 270.8.62

The Swiss watch brand Tag Heuer is the result of the merger in 1985 between the company Heuer, founded in 1860, and the group TAG (Avant Garde Techniques). This union marked the beginning of a new era for the brand, characterized by a combination of technological innovations and a rich watchmaking heritage.
<h2 dir="ltr">Background of the Merger in 1985</h2>
In the 1970s, the Swiss watch industry went through a tumultuous period, known as the "quartz crisis". The mass introduction of cheap quartz watches, mainly from Asia, threatens the survival of traditional mechanical watch manufacturers. Heuer, despite its established reputation in the field of chronographs, did not escape this crisis and encountered financial difficulties.
In 1985, the group TAG, specialized in cutting-edge technologies, particularly in aeronautics and Formula 1, acquires Heuer. This merger gives rise to Tag Heuer, combining Heuer's watchmaking heritage with TAG's technological expertise.
<h2 dir="ltr">Renaissance and Modernization (1985-1999)</h2>
Under new leadership, TAG Heuer is undertaking a strategy to revitalize the brand by building on its heritage while incorporating modern innovations. The brand is reintroducing flagship models such as the TAG Heuer Carrera and the TAG Heuer Monaco, adapting them to contemporary tastes while retaining their iconic design. These reissues are a success with watch enthusiasts.
TAG Heuer is also introducing new product lines, including the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/tag_heuer/2000_series"> TAG Heuer Series 2000</a>, a collection of waterproof sports watches, and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/tag_heuer/6000_series"> TAG Heuer Series 6000</a>, which combines elegance and performance. The brand strengthens its association with the world of sport, in particular Formula 1, by becoming the official timekeeper of several teams and events. These partnerships reinforce the dynamic and innovative image of TAG Heuer.
<h2 dir="ltr">Acquisition par LVMH et Expansion (1999-2010)</h2>
In 1999, the French luxury group LVMH (Mo&euml;t Hennessy Louis Vuitton) acquires TAG Heuer, thus integrating the brand into its prestigious portfolio. Under the aegis of LVMH, TAG Heuer invests in research and development to design its own movements. In 2004, the brand unveiled the Calibre 360, a mechanical chronograph capable of measuring 1/100th of a second, a world first.
TAG Heuer continues to innovate with models such as the TAG Heuer Monaco V4 in 2009, the first watch in the world equipped with a movement driven by belts, and the TAG Heuer Microtimer Flying 1000 in 2011, capable of measuring 1/1000th of a second.
The brand is expanding its global presence by opening flagship stores in key cities and strengthening its distribution network.
<h2 dir="ltr">Diversification and Connected Watches (2010-2020)</h2>
Faced with the emergence of connected watches, TAG Heuer decides to adapt to new technological trends.
In 2015, the brand launched the TAG Heuer Connected, its first smartwatch, in collaboration with Google and Intel. This model combines the traditional design of TAG Heuer with the functionality of a modern smartwatch. TAG Heuer is expanding its historic strategy of partnerships, particularly with automotive brands such as Porsche, and offers limited editions celebrating iconic events or personalities.
<h2 dir="ltr">Recent Commitments and Future Outlook (2020 - present)</h2>
TAG Heuer continues to strengthen its position in the luxury watch market by focusing on innovation and respect for its heritage. The brand offers reissues of historic models, such as the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/tag_heuer/carrera_chronograph"> TAG Heuer Carrera</a> and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/tag_heuer/monaco"> TAG Heuer Monaco</a>, incorporating modern technical improvements while retaining the original design. Many limited series will be released to the delight of collectors.
TAG Heuer is committed to green initiatives, including reducing its carbon footprint and using sustainable materials in its products and packaging. In 2024, LVMH, parent company of TAG Heuer, enters into a 10-year partnership with Formula 1, strengthening the brand's association with motorsport.
In conclusion, since its merger with TAG in 1985, TAG Heuer has navigated between tradition and innovation, consolidating its strong position in luxury watchmaking. By combining its rich heritage with technological advancements and strategic partnerships, the brand continues to appeal to watch enthusiasts around the world.
Check out th&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">Ranking of the best Swiss watch brands</a> or the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_brands_of_motor_sports_watches">Ranking of the best watch brands inspired by motorsports</a>, including TAG Heuer.
(Updated November 2024)

Some watches speak to you and seduce you immediately. This was the case for me with this Monaco Dark Lord. A titanium watch, DLC coating, the watch is both robust and light. The dominant black of the dial mixing two textures, one brushed satin, the other grained macadam style bring out the other red and gold colors of the hands and indexes. A Monaco yes but different.

Monaco Dark Lord

First watch, watch that counts and easy to wear. Easily recognizable for a connoisseur and just a pretty watch for a neophyte. Shiny but not too much. Wearable in all simplicity and circumstances. Be careful of the buckle easily scratched when worn daily. The matte blue contributes to the discretion.

Simple and recognizable

A different watch, square, not always easy to wear due to its proportions... But what a joy to have the watch that best symbolizes, for me, the couple Watchmaking and Motorsports. I am more of a fan of F1 than watches and naturally I turned to this model when I was looking for a chronograph watch.

A few months after my purchase, people around me tried to explain to me that I should have taken the model with the winding crown at 9 o'clock rather than at 3 o'clock! More historical and legitimate according to them? Why not and after some research, indeed the history of the Monaco begins with this inverted version... But if we start to look at the whole history of this Monaco with Steve McQueen who would not have really had one... we have not finished asking ourselves questions. Personally, the crown of a watch is on the right like the steering wheel of a car is on the left and I like it like that.

No problem since I got it...

It's almost perfect for me... A little less thick and it would be perfection 👍

Between F1 Passion and Watchmaking Tradition

It was given to me in 2003 for my 20th birthday, and since then it has rarely left my wrist. At that time I was passionate about old films and I had discovered Steve McQueen, I even had the opportunity to do a photo shoot in a Mustang Fastback with my watch. Despite its weight and its size, it is still a watch that continues to make me dream. In 20 years it has undergone three revisions, a change of plexiglass due to breakage, several polishing of this same plexiglass and four changes of bracelet. It remains both discreet and recognizable by all enthusiasts.

Movie Watch

Well, here we are, 10 years after my Breitling SuperOcean, and now my 40th birthday is just around the corner.
During this decade, one watch particularly caught my attention.
It was in the spring, on the terrace of a restaurant, a few tables away from me, someone was wearing a magnificent square watch with a sunray dial that fascinated me. It was the famous Monaco.
So the day I went to the store to buy it, and even though the salesman offered me a new model with a matte dial and crown on the left, I chose the sunray dial that had made me dream a few years before.
It didn't take me long to realize how vulnerable it was to shock, and that's perhaps the only flaw I've found in it in the 9 years it's been part of my daily life.
It also made me rediscover the joy of wearing a "crocodile" strap, but without the drawbacks thanks to its folding clasp that reconciled me with this type of strap.
Its transparent case back is beautiful, although a little small.
Its square-shaped sapphire crystal above its sublime dial is invulnerable, unlike its case… the image of Steve McQueen is just the cherry on the cake.

The Second

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)

The TAG Heuer Monaco is an iconic watch that has marked the history of watchmaking with its bold design and technical innovations. Initially introduced in 1969 by Heuer, it underwent significant development after the takeover of the brand by the TAG group (Techniques d'Avant Garde) in 1985.
<h2 dir="ltr">Context of the Acquisition by TAG</h2>
In 1985,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/heuer">Heuer</a>, then in financial difficulties, was acquired by the TAG group, a company specializing in advanced technologies and owner of the McLaren Formula 1 team. This acquisition gives rise to Tag Heuer, a merger that aims to revitalize the brand by capitalizing on its heritage while incorporating modern innovations.
<h2 dir="ltr">Renaissance of Monaco</h2>
After the acquisition, production of the Monaco, which had been interrupted in the 1970s, was restarted. In 1997, TAG Heuer reintroduced the Monaco with the reference CS2110, a reissue faithful to the original model, but equipped with contemporary technologies. This reissue sparks renewed interest in the watch, notably thanks to its association with actor Steve McQueen, who wore it in the film "Le Mans" in 1971.
<h2 dir="ltr">Technical and Aesthetic Developments</h2>
Over the years, TAG Heuer has introduced several variations of the Monaco, incorporating innovative movements and materials. In 2004, the brand unveiled the TAG Heuer Monaco V4, a revolutionary watch equipped with a belt movement, illustrating TAG Heuer's commitment to watchmaking innovation.
In 2009, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Monaco, TAG Heuer launched a limited edition that paid homage to the original design, while incorporating modern improvements, particularly in terms of precision and durability.
<h2 dir="ltr">Collaborations and Special Editions</h2>
The Monaco was also the result of notable collaborations, notably with Gulf Oil, famous for its blue and orange colors. These special editions, like the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf launched in 2007, celebrate the watch's automotive heritage and reinforce its link with the world of motor racing. Monaco's association with Steve McQueen solidified his status as a cultural icon. Images of the actor wearing the watch in &ldquo;Le Mans&rdquo; were widely used in TAG Heuer advertising campaigns, reinforcing the legendary aura of the Monaco.
In 2024, one of the watches McQueen wore while filming was sold at auction for $1.4 million, testament to the historical and emotional value attached to this model.
<h2 dir="ltr">Design and Features</h2>
The TAG Heuer Monaco stands out for its square case, a bold feature that challenges traditional watchmaking conventions. Contemporary models are often equipped with the caliber Heuer 02, an automatic chronograph movement offering a power reserve of 80 hours. The dial generally features two counters, at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, and a date at 6 o'clock, while retaining the refined aesthetic that has made the Monaco famous.
<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>
Since the acquisition of Heuer by TAG in 1985, the Monaco has undergone a remarkable renaissance, combining respect for the original design and technical innovations. His unwavering link with the world of motor racing and his continued presence in popular culture make it a timeless watch, prized by collectors and watch enthusiasts. The TAG Heuer Monaco remains a symbol of audacity and innovation, perpetuating the pioneering spirit that presided over its creation.
The TAG Heuer Monaco is one of the legendary chronographs in the same way as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/rolex/daytona">Rolex Daytona</a>, the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/omega/speedmaster_moonwatch">Omega Speedmaster</a> or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/breitling/navitimer">Breitling Navitimer</a> notably.
(Updated January 2025)

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