* The OW Astrochron story began in Zurich nearly 60 years ago, amidst history’s most ambitious era of exploration. The race to go faster, further and deeper had the world poised at the edge of several new frontiers, the most notable being outer space. The astral realm represented the ultimate in exploration and inspired the name of the famous Ollech & Wajs 1967 triple-register chronograph. Indeed, NASA’s most prestigious scientists would be among the elite professionals that used the Astrochron’s various dials and scales. Engineers, sportsmen, commercial and military divers, pilots and ships officers were also fast to appreciate the value of such a rugged and water-resistant precision timing instrument.
* Continuing the Astrochron legacy today, O&W have endeavoured to ensure this new interpretation is equal to the challenge. With a water resistance of 50ATM (500 m), 360-degree rotating compass bezel and a 20-minute diver’s scale combined with a five-minute Regatta counter, extra-thick sapphire crystal, and unique four-gasket pusher system, make the new OW Astrochron as proficient on the ocean as it is under and over it.
* Inside the brushed 316L stainless steel case is a descendant of the historic Valjoux 72 movement that powered the first Astrochrons. At OW's workshop in the Swiss Jura, a custom-engraved automatic Valjoux 7753 – with an OW-machined rotor set onto it – is regulated, adjusted and power-tested in five positions, thereby qualifying it for the OW Precision rating. As a final tribute to its forebearer, the new chronograph revives the distinctive North Atlantic blue dial of 1968.
Movement: Automatic Chronograph with Date
Case Dimensions: 39.6mm x 16.8mm, Brushed Stainless Steel
Dial: Blue with Luminous Hands and Indexes
Glass: High Domed Sapphire Crystal
Strap: 20mm, Beads of Rice Bracelet on Fold Clasp
Water Resistance: 50 ATM
Reference: Astrochron S
The Re-Birth of Ollech & Wajs.
The name Ollech & Wajs began in 1956, when Zurich resident Albert Wajs decided to partner with his friend Joseph Ollech and open a luxury watch shop, initially retailing Breitling and Omega before launching their own brand: Ollech & Wajs Zürich.
By the 1960s the Ollech & Wajs range consisted of men's chronographs, diving watches (in particular the Caribbean 1000, which was, as its name suggested, the first 1000m water resistant diving watch), military watches, much appreciated by American soldiers who ordered OWs for entire battalions during the Vietnam war and also pilot’s watches, which the French Air Force commissioned for active use.
Ollech & Wajs, now under new ownership have returned to the company's heyday and strive to manufacturer high quality, Swiss made sports watches with a nod to the classic designs of their 60s predecessors. All OW watches have a 90% Swiss made origin and are designed at their headquarters: Ollech & Wajs Precision A.G. on Bergstrasse in Zurich and then individually assembled and adjusted in Haute-Sorne, in the Swiss Jura.