Lover of chronos and seventies watches, I have been on the lookout for beautiful ones that meet these two criteria for years. Omega of course, having reached the top of the initial list, I am learning about chronos from that era. What Heuer? Carreras and Autavias, ouch I am touched, for two years I have been looking for this beautiful Carrera with a moving story: A father gives it to his young son, an airplane pilot, as on-board tools. He tells how he used it and concludes that he has no descendants to whom he can pass it on, so he is parting with it... welcome home, you will no longer fly but will still take the plane!

A discreet grail

I am a fan of the speedmaster. It is perfectly sober and sporty. But I was missing some madness and this time I am served! It is truly incredible by its design, its dial and its complications. It does not go with everything but it does not matter in the end, I love it infinitely. It had a little refresh because it had suffered a lot of damage. Today without being perfect it is a pleasure to wear regularly

So wow

It all starts with a crush. A watch with an atypical shape and a completely assumed style of the 70s. I was under its spell. I coveted it for a long time but never saw it in real life, so I didn't take the plunge. In the photo it looks massive, imposing, it doesn't matter, I take the plunge, I bid, it arrives, it has lived, but .... incredible, it is sublime, perfect proportion, perfect size, it is discreet I love it. It is about 50 years old and this year it is my favorite, it is my release of the year :)

A legend in all discretion

I chose this watch to celebrate a notable family event. I wanted a sober, versatile and timeless watch. I am won over, 2 years later it follows me everywhere, surfing, in the mountains, cycling, or in the evening, it delights me with its versatility. When I go on vacation and although I have a small collection, I never hesitate on which one will accompany me. The BB58 is my watch made for trips.

A watch that does everything

The Swiss watch brand Heuer played a decisive role in the evolution of watchmaking, particularly in the field of chronographs and precision instruments. Founded in 1860 by &Eacute;douard Heuer, the company went through more than a century of innovations before merging with the TAG group in 1985, giving birth to TAG Heuer.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Beginnings: Foundation and First Innovations (1860-1887)</h2>
In 1860, at the age of 20, Edward Heuer founded his watchmaking workshop in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. From the beginning, it stood out for its innovative spirit. In 1869, he filed his first patent for a keyless winding crown, thus simplifying the winding mechanism of pocket watches.&nbsp;In 1887, Heuer revolutionized watchmaking by patenting the oscillating pinion, a mechanism that improves the precision and reliability of chronographs. This device is still used today in many chronograph calibers.
<h2 dir="ltr">Expansion and International Recognition (1887-1933)</h2>
At the end of the 19th century, Heuer expanded its activities internationally, notably opening a branch in London in 1910. The brand specialized in chronographs and timing instruments, becoming a preferred supplier for sporting events and forces. military.
In 1916, Heuer launched the Micrograph, the first stopwatch capable of measuring 1/100th of a second, a major advance for sports timing. This innovation led Heuer to become the official timekeeper of the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, 1924 in Paris and 1928 in Amsterdam.
<h2 dir="ltr">Diversification et Innovations Techniques (1933-1958)</h2>
In the 1930s, Heuer diversified its production by introducing dashboard chronographs for automobiles and airplanes. In 1933, the brand presented the Autavia, a chronograph combining the functions of odometer and tachometer, intended for vehicle dashboards.&nbsp;In 1949, Heuer launched the Mareograph-Seafarer, the world's first chronograph equipped with a tide and moon phase function, intended for sailors. This period is marked by a series of innovations that strengthen the brand's reputation in the field of precision instruments.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Golden Age of Chronographs: The 1960s-1970s</h2>
The 1960s constituted a pivotal period for Heuer, with the launch of emblematic models which marked the history of watchmaking and in particular its proximity to motorsport which was booming at the time.
<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/heuer/autavia">Heuer Autavia</a> (1962) :
Initially a dashboard chronograph, the Autavia is reintroduced as a wristwatch, combining robustness and functionality, popular with drivers and motorsport enthusiasts.
<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/heuer/carrera">Heuer Carrera</a> (1963) :
Inspired by the famous Mexican car race "Carrera Panamericana", this sleekly designed chronograph is designed to provide optimal readability for drivers. It quickly became a classic of the brand.
Heuer Monaco (1969) :
The first waterproof square chronograph, the Monaco is powered by the caliber 11, one of the first automatic chronograph movements. It gained notoriety when it was worn by Steve McQueen in the film "Le Mans" in 1971. Many other models will mark the links between Heuer watches and motorsport such as the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/heuer/daytona"> Heuer Daytona</a> or<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/heuer/pasadena"> Heuer Pasadena</a>.
In 1969, Heuer, in collaboration with Breitling, Hamilton-Buren and Dubois D&eacute;praz, participated in the project "Chronomatic", aiming to develop one of the first automatic chronograph movements, the caliber 11. These chronographs will be recognizable by the crown placed on the left of the case. This innovation placed Heuer at the forefront of watchmaking technology of the time.
<h2 dir="ltr">Challenges and Adaptations: The 1970s-1980s</h2>
The quartz crisis of the 1970s, marked by the massive arrival of cheap quartz watches, posed a major challenge to the Swiss watch industry. Heuer, like many other brands, is facing increased competition and declining sales. To adapt, Heuer diversified its production by introducing quartz watches, while continuing to develop mechanical chronographs. In 1975, the brand presented the Chronosplit, a digital chronograph with dual LED and LCD displays, combining digital technology and precision.
Despite these efforts, the company's financial situation deteriorated, leading to its sale in 1982 to Piaget And Germany, two other Swiss watchmaking houses. However, this acquisition is not enough to sustainably turn around the brand.
<h2 dir="ltr">Merger with TAG: Birth of TAG Heuer (1985)</h2>
In 1985, the group TAG (Techniques d&rsquo;Avant Garde), specialized in cutting-edge technologies, particularly in aeronautics and Formula 1, acquires Heuer. This merger gives rise to<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/tag_heuer"> Tag Heuer</a>, combining Heuer's watchmaking heritage with TAG's technological expertise.
(Updated November 2024)

A long time ago, for my 20th birthday, my uncle gifted me this Heuer Carrera, model 1553. I remember that special moment very clearly, as I had been eyeing his watch with longing since my teenage years. By talking about it and showing interest, he introduced me to the world of horology, laying the foundations for this consuming passion.

I had no knowledge of Heuer until I came across this model, and I knew nothing about watchmaking in general, to be honest. This watch became my first vintage piece, which led to others, but paradoxically, it remains the only vintage chronograph in my collection.

I love its '70s racing look, and especially the reversed position of the crown, which is placed on the left side of the case. Even though I'm left-handed, I wear it on my left wrist just like any other watch. The applied indices are really cool, and its accuracy is decent for a watch bought by my uncle in 1973. I admit, it does give me a chance to show off the Heuer name, which many consider as TAG Heuer... Despite this significant difference when you dig a little into the history of Heuer, I haven't taken the leap for recent TAG models, but I've become attached to vintage Heuer pieces.

Thanks, Uncle!

A gift from my uncle

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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, the&nbsp;<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&nbsp;<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&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 October 2024)

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