There is, in the basement of a hotel in Kyoto, a superb little shop selling vintage watches. The manager and his employee do not speak a word of French. The negotiation was going to be difficult but I was planning on leaving the shop with this superb Orient from 1965 (+/-)! I liked its look, simple, efficient and so classy! Add to that the NOS condition (a characteristic of the Japanese market? I have only seen watches in fantastic condition there!) of the piece and its fluted crown to obtain a wonderful souvenir of an unforgettable trip. Communication with the shop staff was not easy, the manager explaining to me that the watch had not yet been serviced and that he refused to sell me a watch that he was not 100% sure of! Finally, I won and this dressy piece makes my weekends happy, when I am not wearing my older, sportier watches. A simple Japanese timepiece with a crazy charm and a history that I won't soon forget!

A vintage souvenir from a trip to Japan

While strolling through the aisles of a watch fair, I came face to face with this sublime Stowa French Army Type I. I had wanted a military watch for a long time, and here I am, faced with this model which, in addition, echoes my father's personal history. The seller was parting with this type I, which was more patinated, and a type II, in sensational condition. However, it was in front of this type I that I cracked. A quick exchange with the seller, a negotiation later, here it is on my wrist. It is incredible! A sick presence, a strong history, a contained size (33 mm) which, however, suits my rather large wrist perfectly. The Durowe 422 caliber still works very well, and even if the precision is not up to COSC standards, I don't care. Very happy to now have this piece in my collection. She is number 625. I don't know if she went to Indochina or Algeria, but in any case, she seems to have lived and I like that!

A story, a favorite

A few months ago, while browsing a Facebook group dedicated to vintage Seikos, I fell completely in love with this 7016 8001 model. The look is absolutely amazing, the blue dial is sublime, in short it's a total killer. After seeing it on this group, I became completely obsessed with this model. While I had not planned on buying a new watch, I had the opportunity to grab one on Chrono 24 for a few hundred euros. And what a treat!! A flyback chronograph, equipped with the 7016a movement (which also powers the Seiko Monaco, my next purchase I think!!) which will accompany me on an upcoming trip to Japan. The watch has a very small diameter but, despite my tanos wrist, it sits very well on it. Beyond the flyback function, it should be noted that there is no second hand, but frankly, I don't care. You can also change the day by pressing the crown. A super fun watch, rather rare and equipped with what appears, according to my readings, to be one of the most interesting movements produced by Daini Seikosha.

Seiko 7016 8001 "Flyback"

I always wanted a speed. Vintage and from my birth year. Here I have one! And honestly, it's great. What a pleasure to wear, I can't see anything else. On the other hand, is it the holy grail that will make me stop buying watches? No, no, no! A piece from my birth year, bought from a watchmaker I know well. A unique sentimental value that surpasses this idea of owning a piece of a great human conquest. A piece that will remain in my collection and which, failing to go to the moon, will, I hope, cross the decades in my company!

Birth year hobby.

I have long dreamed of a vintage Navitimer. I have seen the prices of vintage Navitimers soar ;)! Then, I learned that when Breitling was in difficulty following the quartz crisis, two brands positioned themselves to buy parts, tools, stocks: Sinn, well known, but also Ollech and Wajs. Albert Wajs chose the acronym Aviation Chronograph Suisse to market watches resulting from the buyouts made by O&W at Breitling around 1978. So I looked seriously into this story and in an ad, I came across this splendid Aviation, equipped with a valjoux 7736 [some other models have the buren cal.12 and sometimes have a balance bridge signed Breitling], gold-plated and giving the time on 24 hours. A real love at first sight!!! It came in a beautiful Aviation box, with some period papers, including the user manual in Italian, which I had fun deciphering. It seems that Aviation was at the time resold in Parma, in the "Longinotti" store. A piece that I love very much and which allowed me to realize my dream of a Navitimer but with, and this is mine, a little more history!

Chronograph Carica 34017

I acquired this fabulous Herma Le Mans chronograph (reference 911120) because I was looking for a piece linked to French watchmaking and industrial history...and also because I have a serious problem with chronographs. By chance, I came across this new model in stock and it was love at first sight. Equipped with a Valjoux 7733 (hand-wound), the reference I have, probably manufactured around 1969/70, has 2 beautiful red sub-dials, the one on the right allowing you to total 45 minutes (football fans!). The 42 mm case has 2 finishes, namely a polishing and what I would call a brushing all around the plexiglass. The chronograph hand has a beautiful orange color and the crown, black (but not easy to handle despite its size) gives a phenomenal face to the watch. A very beautiful chronograph that is easy to wear and gives the pleasant satisfaction of having a piece of heritage on your wrist.

A French chrono and a piece of history!

A fantastic Zenith AutoSport Luxe found at an antique dealer, in a deplorable state: scratched case, full of dents, very dirty dial and above all, 2562PC movement completely blocked. 

After a month spent at my watchmaker, it came back to me in working order, the case slightly renovated but not too much, so that the piece keeps the traces of its visibly tumultuous past. The case also has a small defect that must date from its manufacture, a kind of small steel stud on the right side, its signature! This watch quickly became one of the favorites of my collection and I must say that I wear it all the time. My first Zenith, and I'm crazy about it!

A nugget unearthed in pitiful condition

This superb Breitling Chronomat, reference 81950, was given to me for my birthday. A dream for me to own a model of this brand. Powered by a Valjoux 7750, decorated, on the case back, by a superb Aermacchi MB-339A, this Breitling "Aermacchi" makes me a happy man. Produced between 1984 and 1990, this model marks the rebirth of the Chronomat, after difficult years for the brand. The watch is easy to wear and above all, turns out to be a real chameleon! Depending on the bracelet, it can be very sporty or very chic. Unfortunately, I do not have the original roller bracelets, but, in any case, it would probably be too small for my wrist. A watch of the heart, historical, full of history and which, like the Navitimer, is very linked to the world of aviation, the Aermacchi MB-339A, being the aircraft in service with the Frecce Tricolori, the aerobatic squadron of our Italian friends. In short, a very interesting vintage piece and which fills me every time I wear it! Finally, and I understand that one may not like it, I really appreciate the movement of the 7750 in this watch. Let me explain: you feel the mass move, the watch lives on the wrist and takes it with it. This may not please everyone, but as far as I'm concerned, it's great!

The Breitling "Aermacchi"

An original pilot's watch, assembled and adjusted in Switzerland! Swiss Made designation justified at 95%. The manufacturing quality is impeccable, the finishes are of a very good level. The case is in brushed 316L steel, the crown is signed O&W. We can clearly speak of a Big Crown, screwed, to ensure water resistance to 30 atmospheres. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal with the most beautiful effect. ETA 2824-2 caliber, assembled and adjusted by the watchmakers of the house, nothing to complain about the precision, which gives me complete satisfaction. The hands are incredible and are really, in my opinion, the big strong point of the watch. The NATO strap is of very good quality and comes with a pretty brushed steel buckle signed O&W. I have not tried the Steel strap but I installed an orange tropic and the rendering is really fun and very pleasant. The dial takes the light well, the watch remains very readable underwater. The only downside is that the hands and indexes are advertised as being treated with super Luminova, but the treatment is a bit light in my opinion. For the rest, it's all good. The price is, in my opinion, fair for the quality of the product offered. 39 mm in diameter, nice presence when worn, a success!

An original pilot's watch with impeccable finishes.

Found for a handful of euros, this very cool Seiko Sports 100 M929 5020 from the 80s was sold immediately after installing a new battery. I, who didn't really wear quartz, except for a solar one to show off, was completely hooked on the excellent look of this watch. It is in great condition and is really nice to wear. The bracelet is light, signed and easy to adjust. I am the first to be surprised but I love this charm! I really enjoy wearing it and playing with its different functions!

A classy Seiko LCD for a handful of euros

Bought 5 years ago, this Seiko prospex solar equipped with the V176 caliber is a solid adventurer that has cut down trees, gone down rivers, swam in fresh water, salt water and dug the garden (not alone, it is not haunted yet!) with its owner! Screw-down crown, 20 bars of water resistance, a real tough watch, which, apparently, resists all the mistreatment inflicted on it. The glass has eaten a little but overall, the piece remains clean after 5 years of use. The watch has never stopped, although stored in a box in a dimly lit room. Apparently, the battery charges for 6 months and I confirm. The brand recommends replacing the battery (+ servicing) after 10 years. I have no doubt that it will hold up until then without fail. On a nato or on a rubber, the watch wears well if the adjustment is done correctly. As is often the case, the original Seiko leather is pretty rubbish, but in any case, I don't think it's the material that suits him best!

Indestructible !

I received this pretty little vintage Seiko 5 as a gift, the glass was shattered but the watch worked properly. Purchase of a new glass on ebay followed by a quick trip to the little watchmaker and here is a watch that gives a lot compared to its apparent simplicity. A day date "tv dial", days in English/Arabic, caliber 6309 roots (without manual winding) but ultra reliable and solid. With a small blue leather strap, it looks great on the wrist, with a polo shirt of the same color for example. These little vintage 5 models can be found for a song and there was such a variety that it is, I think, impossible not to find what you are looking for!

Pleasure for a handful of bucks!

I had a real crush on this Omega Seamaster Cosmic 2000 watch from 1978. Bought from a photo from a watchmaker several years ago, I am still crazy about this definitively 70's watch today. Integrated bracelet, incredible depth between glass and dial, terrible look, this watch is one of the many testimonies of the design madness that was rampant at Omega in the 70s. Powered by the caliber 1020 which beats at 28,800 vph, it keeps the time precisely and dresses my wrist perfectly. There are many variations that bear the name Cosmic 2000, but this one is my favorite of this range apparently marketed under this name from 1972. A killer that I love to look at, admire and wear. The Omega crown is discreet and not always easy to use to set the time, but no matter, it's always a pleasure to take this watch out of the box. The bracelet needs to be adjusted properly or it will wander around a bit on the wrist. A love of a watch! As for the value for money, it's difficult to talk about on a vintage... the emotion can hardly be summed up in a number... so let's say that it doesn't matter, as long as there is pleasure!

70's Madness at Omega

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

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

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