A very endearing vintage look, which triggers smiles around me!!! A kikstarter that worked impressively. A very beautiful watch! 
A community of enthusiasts via a Whatsapp group!
3 bracelets with the box, a fourth as an option from Jean Rousseau of SUPER quality! but... not my size and no solution... Too bad.
On the other hand, an entry-level NH38 movement from Seiko, solid but perhaps not the most precise in this price range. Too bad. I hope that an upgrade will be offered.
A unidirectional bezel that seems fragile to see over time.


A striking comeback A vintage look in a modern size.

The Swiss watch brand Eska, founded in 1918 by Sylvain Kocher in Selzach, has distinguished itself by the quality and diversity of its creations. The name "Eska" comes from its founder's initials "S" and "K", pronounced in German. From its beginnings, Eska has specialized in manufacturing high quality ladies' watches, using small movements, ranging from 6 1/2 lines up to two 3/4 line baguettes.
<h2 dir="ltr">Expansion and Development</h2>
Faced with growing demand, Eska moved in 1937 to Granges (Grenchen), a town renowned for its watchmaking industry. This relocation allowed the brand to increase its production capacity and diversify its models. Eska has also adopted an ambitious export strategy, expanding into international markets such as the United States and Latin America.
In 1929, two subsidiaries were established in S&atilde;o Paulo and New York, headed respectively by Edgar and Walter Kocher, the founder's sons. The brand has distinguished itself by its watchmaking diversity, offering three-hand watches, complications, and even cloisonn&eacute; enamel dials, evidence of true watchmaking and artisanal know-how.
<h2 dir="ltr">Product Diversification</h2>
Beyond ladies' watches, Eska has expanded its range to include waterproof chronographs, simple chronographs and various sports watches. This diversification has strengthened the brand's reputation on the watch market. After World War II, Eska employed around 100 watchmakers, reflecting its significant growth.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Amphibian 600: A Historic Diving Watch</h2>
In the 1960s, Eska made watchmaking history with the introduction of the Amphibian 600, a diving watch that has become legendary. This model was distinguished by a 37.5 mm steel case, a rotating bezel with an acrylic insert and an A. Schild movement (AS 1382) with a power reserve indicator at noon. Although few examples of the Amphibian 600 are still in circulation, it remains a particularly popular piece among collectors.
<h2 dir="ltr">Decline and Renaissance</h2>
Despite its success, Eska ceased operations at the end of the 1980s, a victim of the quartz crisis which disrupted the Swiss watch industry.
However, in January 2024, the brand was relaunched by two watch enthusiasts, Christophe Chevreton and Sinicha Knezevic. They introduced the Eska Amphibian 250, a modern interpretation of the Eska Amphibian 600, featuring a 40mm case, a unidirectional sapphire bezel and a Seiko NH-38 automatic movement. This new version was offered for pre-order with a Kickstarter campaign which will attract nearly 500 enthusiasts for more than &euro;400,000.
Building on the success of this reinterpretation, particularly thanks to its retro design, the brand introduced two variations such as the Eska Amphibian 250 White Shark Featuring an elegant cream dial and the scorching Eska Amphibian 250 Red Viper (limited series of 136 pieces). These last two versions illustrate the responsiveness and ability to listen of the founders, since they integrate a Sellita SW200 movement instead of the Seiko NH-38 caliber which had not received the full support of the collector community.
<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>
Eska embodies the innovation and resilience of Swiss watchmaking. From its beginnings in 1918 to its rebirth in 2024, the brand has evolved and adapted to the challenges of time, while preserving its heritage and commitment to quality. Today, Eska once again appeals to watch lovers looking for resolutely modern pieces in their design, and anchored in a historical trajectory.
To choose the Eska that suits you best, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.
(Updated November 2024)

Much commented on the networks, this reissue of the Amphibian 250 is extremely endearing.

Despite the NH38 caliber being highly criticized for a watch priced at 1200E, I do not regret this purchase on Kickstarter at all…

Top-notch case finishes, very good quality tropical strap, dial and bezel respect the codes of this legendary diver.

Only good, except indeed the caliber that feels low-end when handling the crown…


ESKA Amphibian 250

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)

Eska Amphibian 250 Owner Review : Retro, authentic and historical

A striking comeback A vintage look in a modern size.

Pros & Cons for this watch