But what is this watch?
Multicolored, asymmetrical, English! What the fuck as the subjects of her majesty say!
Well for me this watch is a little gem of design, of realization but also of balance!

The Studio Underdog brand was founded 5 years ago by a young British designer eager to offer an affordable offer that is out of the ordinary.

The chrono presented here is part of the first series of models launched by the brand. The specifications are ultimately very simple: a chrono enclosed in a relatively classic case with retro dimensions of 38mm and powered by a Seagull movement with ultra-known, reliable and inexpensive manual winding.

You will have understood what makes the difference on this watch is its dial.

The color of course jumps out at you: a light green, mint according to the brand, both very present but absolutely not flashy on the contrary, combined with different shades of sand beige at the level of the tachymeter and the right sub-dial. A mix that I personally find extremely successful.

The brand makes a point of offering very colorful dials, everyone will find something to their liking.

As I said, this watch is a subtle mix of many perfectly arranged details.
The dial, again, is granulated which brings a relief that is very pleasant to the eye.
The indexes are made of "chocolate chips" that are all different.
The mint-chocolate mix confirms the origin of the watch...

Another detail that jumps out at us: the assumed asymmetry.
The chrono is a bicompax whose dials, although aligned in the traditional way, are of different dimensions and colors.

The minutes dial is larger and divided into 3 colored sectors of 3 different shades of beige while the seconds dial is smaller and the same green as the main dial.

Another particularity, the brand name is offset at 1 o'clock and the model name is positioned at 11 o'clock.
Finally, the chronograph hands are punctuated with a discreet orange touch.
Finally, only the main hands are very standard, nevertheless covered with lum.

In short, it could be a mess... but everything fits together subtly and perfectly.

The green color is only the submerged part of a watch full of daring and successful aesthetic choices!
On the wrist, its reduced size gives it excellent comfort, the movement does the job perfectly. Although simple, it benefits from the col de signe finish and, in my opinion, perfectly supports observation through the transparent back.

The strap is made of a beautiful brown leather, probably classic so as not to overshadow the exceptional dial.

This proposal from Studio Underdog therefore has a crazy charm, provided of course that you adhere to the style exercise.
The most daring will go for the Watermelon version or the Hawaiian pizza editions!

This is therefore a brand that I strongly invite you to discover, which is undoubtedly aimed at collectors who are already satisfied with classic pieces and who want to get out of the ordinary without sacrificing quality.
The only downside is that the brand is only available online and, although restocking is regular, production batches are limited, so you have to be patient and responsive to get this piece with a little taste of After Eight!

Much more than an outsider!

Seiko is a manufacturer that I love for the richness of its production and the variety of its ranges. The catalog is extremely large, it is a fault for some but rather a quality for me.
Within this plethora of offers, it must be recognized that it is the divers that have made the popularity of the brand. From the famous SKX007 to the Marine Master 300 via the Turtle, many models are authorities in the field for their quality, their robustness, their design and sometimes their price.
My collection already has several but 2 years ago I decided to add the reissue of the famous 62 MAS released for the 140 of the brand. (Reference SPB213)
Taking up the historical design of its predecessor released in ... 1962, this model first seduced me with its unusual color codes for a diver. The light, slightly silver dial and the blue aluminum bezel matching the seconds hand offer a particularly successful combination that contrasts with the eternal, but universal, black dial.
On the wrist, the effect is both chic and very summery.
This SPB213 is nonetheless a real 40.5 mm diver's watch that is perfectly readable, water-resistant to 200m, equipped with a sapphire crystal, and provided with the famous Seiko lum that is still as effective.
Powered by the now famous 6R35 caliber, it offers a comfortable 70-hour power reserve.
The oyster-type bracelet, entirely brushed like the case, offers both 4 micro-adjustment positions and a diving extension to wear the watch over the wetsuit if necessary (which is never my case!). Real robustness that is paid for a little in grams on the wrist.
In short, the quality and specifications of a diver in a light suit that gives an irresistible desire for sun, warm sand, and a splash in the deep blue!
Its light dial undeniably brings a dressy touch that will also make it the ideal companion for evenings sipping a cocktail at the beach bar in the glowing light of the sunset.
As you will have understood, this piece is now my inseparable holiday watch.
You will like:
If you like divers
If you appreciate a little touch of color
You will move on:
If you do not like heavy watches
If you are tired of the many Seiko limited series.

What are you doing for the holidays?

A good cocktail very often calls for a second one… and the Présage Cocktail series by Seiko is no exception to the rule.
So today I am offering you a double review, that of 2 watches as colorful and tasty as the universe they are inspired by.
A few months apart, I therefore acquired two models from the range, the SRPE43 with a blue dial and the SRPE47 with a pink dial.
Spotted as soon as their release was announced, I was definitely won over by the fitting.
First of all, the moderate dimensions (38.5 in diameter, 45 lug to lug and 12 thick) combined with a simple and rounded case provide balance and presence but also essential comfort for me.
The domed plexiglass offers superb reflections and a very particular visual warmth. The movement is a perfect proven tractor, adjustable and easily repairable.
Finally, the applied indexes and logo, the Arabic numerals font and the dauphine hands complete a delightfully retro aesthetic for my taste.
But naturally what makes this range both unique and charming are its incredibly crafted dials, available in a rich palette of colors, where everyone will find what they are looking for.
The geometric structure, formed by concentric spirals (finally something like that), is absolutely hypnotic and its realization is stunning for a watch positioned at the entry level at Seiko.
Each movement of the wrist gives rise to a play of light and reflections that is reminiscent of the kaleidoscopes of our childhood. I am under its spell.
For me, this watch is a little gem, whose exceptional dial (and I weigh my words) combined with a classic design (in the good sense of the term) make it a perfect watch that I would describe as casual chic.
So I initially fell for the blue dial, perhaps the most classic, offered by Seiko on navy blue cowhide leather equipped with a folding clasp, what more could you ask for! At 450 euros it is in my opinion one of the best offers on the market in the under 500 euro segment. A matter of taste, I quickly mounted it in a lighter leather for more contrast.
But there you go, appetite comes with eating and thirst for cocktails comes with tasting them, and a few months later, caught up in the fashion for pink/salmon dials, I finally decided to double down and acquire the limited version (5000 ex… upper limit!) inspired by Tequila Sunset.
On a Milanese strap for a summer style or on more chic brown leather, this piece now makes a wonderful duo with its little blue sister.
Without moderation, I therefore served myself a double dose of a range that I am still surprised not to see more often on the wrists, so much is its excellent quality/price ratio indisputable.

You will like:
• If you adhere to the neo-retro style
• That you appreciate the original dials
• That you want to get drunk at a low price

You will not like:
• If you like worked cases
• If a basic movement bores you
• If you are looking for sobriety

The twin sisters

What, a Citizen? Quartz? Solar? You're kidding us! Why not introduce us to a Casio while you're at it...
So I could have introduced a Casio, a major brand, whether we like it or not, but here it's Citizen that I want to talk to you about.
More precisely, The Citizen, the high-end branch of the Japanese brand that is very little known in our countries because it is very little distributed but whose reputation is well established among enthusiasts.
Japanese watchmaking knows how to make very beautiful things, and this Chronomaster is one of the many examples.
Titanium case and bracelet, exemplary finishes, perfectly crafted indexes and hands, the famous Zaratsu polish and a magnificent and unusual dial in traditional Japanese paper, the famous Washi that gives its name to this model.
Believe me, the aesthetics of this watch easily rivals prestigious Swiss brands or friends at GS.
I chose this two-tone model (bezel, indexes, hands) whose golden touches bring, in my opinion, a warmth that other models in the range do not have.
This is my first two-tone, and it is also my first high-end quartz. Because one of the great qualities of this watch is its engine.
A quartz movement, but of high quality, like what GS can offer, whose precision is announced at +/- 5 seconds ... per year! Let us never forget that watchmaking is above all the measurement of time and at this level it is a technical feat. Add to that the Eco-Drive solar technology which saves you from changing the battery, finally the cherry on the cake ... a perpetual calendar! That alone, no more!
This watch has everything of a great watch except perhaps its diameter of 37mm, again a quality in my eyes.

So yes it is quartz and the brand reminds us of Saturday afternoons at the mall... but appearances are deceptive. It is above all a very original piece that is not very present in our country, a marriage of the most cutting-edge technology (the movement) with the most ancestral tradition (Washi paper). A concentrate of what Japan knows how to do best.

You will like
• if you want to get out of the ordinary
• if finishes and technology matter to you
• if you dare to look at quartz differently (and like to have a watch that is perfectly on time all the time)

You will not like it
• if 37 is too small for you
• if you are fed up with sporty-chic watches
• if you are definitely allergic to the jumping second hand


Technology and tradition

A Seiko fan for many years, it took me almost 10 years to take the plunge and buy a Grand Seiko.
Of course, the price is not the same and so naturally it is not a purchase that you make in a hurry. But beyond the price, it took me a long time to understand that the quality was there. Through ignorance, I thought for a long time that GS was a UFO brand, reserved for a few watch geeks in need of exoticism.
Like many, I considered the GS as certainly well made but without that catchy charm that makes us take out the credit card.

And yet from the first try I understood that I was completely wrong! This GS is a fantastic watch whose perfection of details, a priori trivial, makes it a piece that truly brings together all the ingredients expected of a high-end watch production, and above all extremely attractive.
• the very fine indexes reflect the light perfectly.
• the polished/brushed hands that offer excellent readability, despite the little contrast a priori with the light dial, are quite impressive
• the polished bezel, which also brings a touch of discreet shine, gives the watch a little chic side (and luminous, we come back to it) which contrasts with the sportiness of the brushed bracelet
• the dial definitely not silver but truly champagne which offers a "sunshine" both discreet but present. (on the other hand I think that the qualifier of "silk texture" sometimes used is very exaggerated). This champagne shade is very chic. The perception of the watch changes completely compared to its little sister with the black dial (285) which gives a much sportier image
• the simplicity of the power reserve, just printed, is very consistent with the general style of the watch
• the case, one of the too rare in 39 at GS, is a perfect sport chic combination. Compact and homogeneous (thickness is not an issue), it is obviously perfectly finished (zaratsu)
• finally the spring drive movement (mechanical movement driving a quartz regulator) is obviously fantastic for its exclusivity, its precision and this sliding second which is definitely fascinating.

This SBGA283 is not a show off watch ... but it is a watch that is noticed and which has already earned me a few compliments because as always at GS the details make all the difference.
In the end it is probably the best value for money in my collection!

You will like it if:
• you like high quality objects
• you admire the reflections of your watch 20 times a day
• you want to get off the beaten track

You will not like it if:
• you swear by Swiss watchmaking!


Paradise is in the details

I have always been a fan of Seiko and especially of their mid-range sports pieces which in my opinion have an excellent RQP.
When in 2022 Seiko announced the release of new Alpinists inspired by the Laurel models of the 60s, I immediately fell in love.
Diameter contained 38mm which is for me an increasingly important criterion. Rounded case with a vintage look. 6R35 movement with 70 hours of power reserve. Water-resistant to 200m which makes it an absolutely wearable watch on any occasion. Very well-made steel bracelet. And magnificent dials with applied indices covered with the famous internal railway which structures the whole.
Initially seduced by the cream version, I finally opted for the slate version which turns out to be extremely lively. Neither black, nor gray, nor bronze this dial coupled with the slightly eggshell index and the golden seconds hand is a joy to contemplate.
I really like the definitely neo-vintage look and worn on a nice leather this watch, originally sporty, turns into a superb casual piece.
Robust, waterproof like a diver and extremely readable this Alpiniste perfectly fulfills its specifications of an adventurer's watch under an aesthetic that is out of the ordinary.
You will like it if:
• You enjoy wearing a watch without asking yourself a thousand questions
• If you are seduced by neo-vintage
It is not for you if:
• The 38mm seems too small for you
• You are allergic to reissues


Neo-vintage charm and versatility (SPB243J1)

Which model better represents the Panerai DNA than this Luminor?
44mm case, painted indexes, black dial, 2 hands, 300m, bottle opener, Unitas manual winding movement, in short, everything that is most basic as illustrated by its number 000, quite simply!
A man's watch, virile, cut out to go cut down a redwood or fish for swordfish with bare hands! Except that... life is often full of nuances and this PAM 000 is too. Despite its size, it is surprisingly comfortable thanks to the flat back and the "moderate" thickness provided by the manual movement.
Its raw side goes wonderfully with all the bracelets in the world. Each variation transforms the watch which goes from an ultra sporty look with rubber to a casual look with brown leather or fun with pistachio green.
In short, I love this watch, much more versatile than it seems at first glance. So of course it is not a dress watch and unless you are athletic this Panerai will always look big on the wrist. But if you adhere to this slightly oversized spirit there is no doubt that you will be won over by the inimitable face of the Luminor.
A final proof, my wife regularly steals it from me, equipped with the famous "pistachio green lizard" for a result full of charm (in all objectivity of course!).
A word of advice, forget your preconceptions and let yourself be tempted by a test at Panerai if you have the opportunity. You may well be surprised.
You will like it if:
• You are ready to play the oversize game
• You like watches with character
• You love playing with straps
It is not for you if:
• If you like small diameters
• Beautiful mechanics are important to you


The beast with the tender heart

The Seiko brand, founded in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori in the Ginza district of Tokyo, has become one of the most influential and respected watch companies in the world. Since the opening of its first store, Seiko has continued a path of constant growth and innovation.
<h2 dir="ltr">History of the Seiko brand</h2>
The year 1924 marked the first watch produced under the Seiko brand. The company continued to develop new technologies, and in 1956 it released the first self-winding wristwatch made in Japan. The real game-changer came in 1969 with the introduction of the Seiko Astron, the world's first quartz watch. This innovation not only changed the direction of Seiko but also revolutionized the entire watch industry.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Seiko solidified its reputation as a technological leader with the development of solar-powered watches and the introduction of professional divers' watches. In 2005, Seiko presented the Spring Drive, a unique movement combining the strength of mechanical watchmaking and the precision of quartz.
In recent years, Seiko has continued to innovate by creating eco-friendly watches and supporting various environmental initiatives. The brand is known for its commitment to quality, precision and sophisticated design.
<h2 dir="ltr">What are Seiko&rsquo;s iconic models?</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko/prospex">Seiko Prospex</a></h3>
This collection is dedicated to those who seek adventure, whether underwater, on land or in the air. The Prospex offers solid cases, water resistance up to 200 meters, steel or silicone bracelets, and automatic or solar movement. These watches are often associated with professional divers and adventurers.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko/presage">Seiko Presage</a></h3>
Bringing together the best of traditional Japanese watchmaking and modern design, the Presage offers stainless steel cases, leather straps, automatic movement, and exquisite dials. The collection is appreciated for its elegance and style.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko/astron">Seiko Astron</a></h3>
This iconic collection represents Seiko innovation. With titanium or stainless steel cases, water resistance up to 100 meters, metal bracelets, solar quartz movement with GPS, the Astron continues to be at the cutting edge of technology.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko/5_sports">Seiko 5 Sports</a></h3>
The Seiko 5 Sports collection is a symbol of youth and dynamism. With steel cases, water resistance up to 100 meters, steel or fabric straps, and automatic movement, it is designed for the active lifestyle.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Seiko watch cost?</h2>
The prices of new Seiko watches change regularly and vary depending on the model. Most cost between &euro;500 and &euro;1,000 depending on the finishes. Price differences can be significant between the brand's different collections. For example, the price of a Seiko 5 fluctuates between &euro;200 and &euro;400 and the Seiko Prospex between &euro;300 and &euro;2,500. Prices also fluctuate depending on the distributor, and promotions sometimes allow you to benefit from a more competitive price. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Seiko.
<h2 dir="ltr">Seiko: An essential brand for starting out in watchmaking</h2>
Seiko is a brand that has charted its path through over a century of innovation and excellence. Its main models reflect a diverse range that meets the needs of sportsmen, divers, luxury enthusiasts and fashionable young people. Seiko's positioning in the watch landscape is unique, offering high quality watches at different price points, and remaining at the forefront of technology and design.
To find out more about these models, the brand's website is a useful information resource. Furthermore, the Dialicious owners' reviews are essential to making the right choice from this historic brand. Choosing a Seiko watch is more than a purchase; it&rsquo;s an investment in a piece of Japanese watchmaking history that continues to shape the future. Some may prefer <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/grand_seiko">Grand Seiko</a> but this is another journey...
Check out the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_japanese_watch_brands">Ranking of the best japanese watch brands</a>, including Seiko.
(Updated November 2023)

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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