A Chinese watch made exclusively for export… 

Typical of the late 1970s (Deng Xiaoping period, post Mao). 
A fun watch that could be found in the markets of major Chinese cities, sold to the rare tourists of the time for $1 US… and later (early 80s) in Europe and France for 50 francs… 
You can still find them on the internet for between €20 and €30. 

This watch has a dial on a red background and more “rarely” on a blue background. 
On the dial is Chairman MAO, with a photo so kitsch… that it is impossible to resist the great leap forward… to buy one. (This is just my opinion…) 

The blurry photo on the dial looks like a low-quality paper print… 
The arm swings and swings with a regular back-and-forth movement, this arm is also quite blurry and malformed like the main image on the dial. Chairman Mao's arm is therefore oscillating (a fun complication) and works independently of the seconds hand... The seconds hand ends with a red star!
The hands look like those of old cheap diving watches... with a green lume.

The movement of the watch is a 17 jewels from the ZLN factory (in business since 1957). Movement that has been modified specifically, to operate Chairman Mao's arm...
ZLN is the watch factory of the Liaoning Peacock Watch Company, Ltd (still in business), in the city of Dandong, Liaoning province.

This movement, with manual winding, works approximately 24 hours, variation of +10 minutes in 24 hours...
The operation of the arm is very erratic, you often have to shake the watch to make the arm move...
But it ends up working!

The case is approximately 36 mm made of a kind of chromed metal, the horns are oddly shaped.
The glass is slightly domed and has a slight greenish tint (on older models), perhaps the lume has evaporated... (Radium or Tritium, the latter being supposed to be less harmful to health...).

In conclusion...
As Chairman Mao said: A revolutionary recognizes his mistakes and repairs them immediately...
Today, the Chinese watch industry has perfectly received the message...

Finally, forgive my impertinence, to all lovers of fine watchmaking.

An oscillating complication!

Bulova The Big Blue features a Precisionist movement known for its high precision.

By taking a look at the Buloba The Big Blue ref 98B224, you will realize that it inspires solidity.

The case is 11 mm thick, in stainless steel, with a diameter of 46 mm and 50 mm with the crown, you will not go unnoticed... But the advantage is the hyper visibility of the dial and especially its blue reflections in the sun.

The whole is water-resistant to 300m. That being said, the absence of a notched bezel strongly thwarts its vocation as a diver.

The glass is a very transparent sapphire.

The colors of the dial: Blue and black depending on the exposure is attractive and eye-catching; in short, it attracts the eye...

The indexes are thin white sticks with a few numbers 3,6,9,12.

The luminova is of excellent quality and ensures good visibility in complete darkness. 
The screwed crown is large and protected with a screwed guard on both sides. 

The Precisionist technology of this Bulova The Big Blue is a high-frequency quartz movement operating at 262 Khz. 
That is an oscillation frequency 8 times higher than the classic quartz of 37.2 Khz called "watchmakers". 

This watch displays a fluorescent yellow second hand with "continuous" scanning, or "fluid second hand" and which advances without any jerk by 1/16 of a second! 
The second hand literally seems to float smoothly on the dial, like the second hands of certain station clocks: I am a FAN! 

Bulova has called its Precisionist range the most precise watch in the world! 

The claimed precision is 10 seconds per year. Bulova explains that the precision of the quartz and the calculator depends on two factors: Temperature variations and the oscillation frequency of the quartz. 
This quartz is therefore thermally compensated and has triple "pins" which allows the stable frequency of 262 Khz (or 2p18 hertz or exactly 262144 hertz!). 

The button cell is a CR 2016, whose lifespan, in use, is 3 years. 

The Bulova Precisionist The Big Blue had a list price of $300... 
You can find them today on the second-hand market for around €170/250, for a model in perfect condition. 
The Bulova The Big Blue will not go unnoticed, it has a "Seaside Vacation" look. Its beautiful blue reflection attracts attention. 

I really appreciate this timepiece for my nautical outings during the summer… 
In conclusion, thank you to Bulova for having invented and put on the market these high-frequency quartz movements. An ultra-precise watch with a super nice look at a reasonable price.



Bulova nicknamed "The Big Blue"

Bulova: A legendary name in American watchmaking. Bulova joined the Citizen group in 2008, without however benefiting from CITIZEN technologies (Eco drive, radio control, GPS etc...). 

Bulova SEA KING is MASSIVE and features a Precisionist movement known for its very high precision. 
By taking a look at the Bulova SEA KING ref 96B228, you will realize that it inspires solidity. 
The case is thick, in stainless steel, with a diameter of 48mm, you will not go unnoticed... 
But the advantage is the clarity and hyper visibility of the dial. 
The whole is waterproof to 300m. The glass is a 3mm thick sapphire. 

Bulova is known for its exceptional diving watches and the Sea King does not disappoint. 
The strap is made of rubber. The material is also waterproof. That being said, its massive appearance amplifies the raw and robust side of the watch. 
The colors of the dial: Orange, gray and black are not the most attractive. However, the bright orange is very eye-catching and gives very good readability underwater. 
The indexes are large circular markers with the number 12 at noon. 
The C3 luminova is of excellent quality and ensures good visibility in complete darkness and underwater. 
The unidirectional bezel rotates 360 ° in 120 clicks, the 'shark tooth' shaped pins help to grip the bezel. 
The screwed crown is large and protected with a guard on both sides. 
Bulova's Sea King is a serious watch ready to dive! 

The Precisionist technology of this Bulova SEA KING is a high-frequency quartz movement operating at 262 Khz, compared to the 32.7 Khz quartz modules usually used in watchmaking. 
That is an oscillation frequency 8 times higher than conventional quartz, known as "watchmaking". 

Precisionist watches feature a "continuous" sweep seconds hand, or "fluid second hand" that advances at 1/16 of a second! Which is very unusual for a quartz! 
The seconds hand literally seems to float smoothly on the dial, like the seconds on some train station clocks. 
Bulova has called its Precisionist range the most accurate watch in the world! 
The claimed accuracy is 10 seconds per year. Which is remarkable for a non-radio-controlled quartz… 
Bulova explains that the accuracy of the quartz and its calculator depends on two factors: 
Temperature variations and the oscillation frequency of the quartz. 
This quartz is therefore thermally compensated and has triple "pins" which allows a stable frequency of 262 Khz (or 2p18 hertz or exactly 262144 hertz!). 

The Bulova SEA KING will not go unnoticed, it has the adventurer look of the depths... 

The button cell is a CR 2016, whose lifespan, in use, is 3 years. 
There are 2 versions of different colors (Steel or full black). 

The Bulova Precisionist SEA KING had a catalog price of $299 to $399 depending on the version of the bracelet... Today, you can find them on the second-hand market for around €200/300, for a model in perfect condition. 

I really appreciate this timepiece for my aquatic outings... 

In conclusion, thank you to Bulova for inventing and marketing these high-frequency quartz movements. An ultra-precise and friendly watch at a reasonable price. 



BULOVA SEA KING, a massive diver who impresses...

Bulova: A legendary name in American watchmaking.

The company was born in 1875, when Joseph Bulova began selling his watches in New York.
Bulova became a leader in marketing, with the first radio advertisements broadcast in 1926. Bulova watches were very popular, recognized and admired in particular for its famous Accutron from 1960 with its "electromagnetic tuning fork" with its inimitable sound...
Bulova joined the Citizen group in 2008, without however benefiting from CITIZEN technologies (eco drive, radio control, GPS, etc.).

Bulova Military is a watch that surprised many fans of the brand, and many collectors.
Bulova drew on its watchmaking heritage for the military design of the 50s and 60s, supplier to the US Army.
This watch features the 262 Khz quartz movement called UHF: Ultra High Frequency.
It is the same technology as on the Precisionist models, operating with a high-frequency quartz movement clocked at 262 Khz, compared to the 32.7 Khz quartz modules usually used in watchmaking. 
That is an oscillation frequency 8 times higher than the classic quartz called "watchmaking". 

The watch displays a "continuous" sweep seconds hand, or "fluid second hand" that advances by 1/16 of a second! Which is very unusual for a quartz! 
The seconds hand literally seems to float smoothly on the dial, like the seconds of some station clocks. 
Note that the first SEIKO quartz watch from 1969 had this 'fluid second hand' feature, but this feature was very quickly abandoned by SEIKO, in order to save the battery life. 
Indeed, without the fluidity of the seconds hand, the battery life was multiplied by 4, hence the choice of the jump per second. 

Bulova Military benefits from the precision of the Precisionist: The most precise watch in the world according to Bulova. 
The claimed precision is 10 seconds per year. I was able to observe, at worst, a difference of +15 seconds over 1 year… Which is remarkable for a non-radio-controlled quartz…

Bulova explains that the precision of the quartz and its calculator depends on two factors: 
The variations in temperature and the oscillation frequency of the quartz. 
This quartz is therefore thermally compensated and has triple “pins” which allows a stable frequency of 262 Khz (or 2p18 hertz or exactly 262144 hertz!). 

The Bulova Military is inspired by old models of the brand and has a classic military look. 

The watch measures 42 mm in diameter for a lug to lug of 48 mm. 
The lug to lug is 22 mm, the thickness is 11 mm. 
The Military weighs 72 grams and provides a light and pleasant presence to wear. 
The glass is polycarbonate, very transparent. 
Finally, the seconds hand is white with an orange tip that highlights the continuous sweep. 
I never tire of this simple and effective military look. 

The Bulova Military has a "LUMINESCENCE" lume on the hands and on the numbered indexes. 
The water resistance is 100 meters, the crown is screwed. 
The button cell is a CR 2016, whose lifespan, in use, is 3 years. 
The watch has a dial with excellent visibility and readability. 

The Bulova Military 262Khz had a list price of $250... Today, you can find them on the second-hand market for around €150/200, for a model in perfect condition. 

In conclusion, thank you to Bulova for inventing and marketing these high-frequency quartz movements. 
An ultra-precise, simple and effective watch at a reasonable price.

Bulova Heritage Inspired Military Watch

Bulova: A legendary name in American watchmaking. 

The company was born in 1875, when Joseph Bulova began selling his watches in New York. 

Bulova became a leader in marketing, with the first radio advertisements broadcast in 1926. Bulova watches were very popular, recognized and admired in particular for its famous Accutron from 1960 with its "electromagnetic tuning fork" with its inimitable sound. 

Bulova joined the Citizen group in 2008, without however benefiting from CITIZEN technologies (eco drive, radio control, GPS, etc.). 

Bulova Precisionist Claremont is a series of watches that surprised many fans of the brand, and many collectors. 
The surprise is linked to the Precisionist technology which incorporates a high-frequency quartz movement operating at 262 Khz, compared to the 32.7 Khz quartz modules usually used in watchmaking. 

That is an oscillation frequency 8 times higher than conventional quartz watches. 

Precisionist watches feature a "continuous" sweep seconds hand, or "fluid second hand" that advances by 1/16 of a second! Which is very unusual for a quartz! 
The seconds hand literally seems to float smoothly under the dial, like the seconds on some station clocks. 
Note that the first SEIKO quartz watch from 1969 had this 'fluid second hand' feature, but this feature was very quickly abandoned by SEIKO in order to save battery life. Indeed, without the fluidity of the seconds hand, the battery life was multiplied by 4, hence the second jump. 

Bulova has called its Precisionist range the most precise watch in the world! The claimed accuracy is 10 seconds per year. I was able to observe, at worst, a difference of +15 seconds over 1 year… Which is remarkable for a non-radio-controlled quartz…

Bulova explains that the precision of the quartz and its calculator depends on two factors:
The temperature variations and the oscillation frequency of the quartz.
This quartz is therefore thermally compensated and has triple “pins” which allows a stable frequency of 262 Khz (or 2p18 hertz or exactly 262144 hertz!).

The Bulova Claremont collection is very stylish and has a hyper classic and endearing look.
This watch with the CURVE line has another interest… Its “3D” style dial which highlights raised numeral indexes, which seem to be machined. The case is slightly curved with an excellent fit on the wrist.
The watch measures 41 mm in diameter for a lug to lug of 51 mm. The lug to lug is 22 mm.
The Claremont weighs 78 grams and provides a light and pleasant presence when worn. 
The glass is a polycarbonate, also curved, very transparent. 
Finally, the seconds hand is polished, and highlights the continuous sweep. 
I never tire of its vintage look and its raised numbered indexes. 

The Bulova Claremont has no "LUMINESCENCE" lume on either the hands or the indexes. 
The water resistance is 30 meters. 
The button cell is a CR 2016, whose lifespan, in use, is 3 years. 
The watch has a dial with excellent visibility and readability. There are 3 variations in different colors of this watch (Black, chocolate brown and cream white). 

The Bulova Precisionist Claremont had a list price of $299 to $349 depending on the bracelet version… Today, you can find them on the second-hand market for around €150/200, for a model in perfect condition.

I really like this timepiece for everyday wear, and so… I have 4 different examples:

 The black model with indexes and double silver rim ref 96B127 for every day.
 The black model with indexes and single silver rim ref 96B128 for every day.
 The chocolate-brown model with indexes and silver rim ref 96B128 for the weekend.
 The cream-white model with gold indexes ref 98B140 for holidays...

In conclusion, thank you to Bulova for inventing and marketing these high-frequency quartz movements.
An ultra-precise and nice watch at a reasonable price.

BULOVA PRECISIONIST or Precision according to Bulova.

Ok, the T.E.R "Chic en scène" from Toulouse to Foix will leave at 12:63…

The magnificent Tokyoflash Shinjuku Station TRAIN LINE LCD watch was a limited edition that is no longer on sale on Tokyoflash.

A watch synonymous with train travel in Tokyo…
The Train Line Watch is a rare Japanese watch inspired by the electronic display panels on the platforms of Tokyo Shinjuku Station.
The city of Tokyo has the most extensive urban rail network in the world. It has more than 150 train lines and more than 2,000 stations served. Shinjuku Station, in the center of Tokyo, is the busiest in the world, with an average of 3.7 million passengers per day.
The Japanese designer of the Train Line watch worked closely with the Tokyo Odakyu railway company to perfect the details of the watch's display.
The high-quality, full-color LCD dial is a faithful reproduction of the electronic panels on the platform of Tokyo stations: Shinjuku, Fujisawa and Machida.

The watch:
The Train Line watch has a unique design and is equipped with a comfortable and adjustable black silicone strap.
An unusual and cool Japanese watch design for rail enthusiasts, train lovers and anyone who loves or is fascinated by subways and railways.
This watch comes with an exclusive gift box, designed and manufactured in Japan.
This box features iconic Tokyoflash Japan graphics.

Watch specifications:
Displays hours, minutes, seconds and days and months.
Color LCD screen with backlight.
Stainless steel case
Screwed stainless steel case back, gunmetal finish
Adjustable silicone strap that is very comfortable to wear
Strap closure with stainless steel buckle
Watch dimensions: 57 mm x 30 mm x 10 mm
Weight: 86 grams
A very serious power supply: 1 CR2032 battery and 1 CR2016 battery


What time does the next Shinkansen (新幹線) leave?

But before going to sleep: A little history of REGLIA (the watch factory) and Christian HOURRIEZ (the designer of the dial).

REGLIA was founded by VENOT & Fils. It is an old French company that sold watchmaking and jewelry tools, clocks, alarm clocks, and watches.

Radio-Télévision-Française (RTF), then later ORTF, had the good idea... to film a clock in order to tell the time to viewers!
The legendary clock appeared for the first time on TV screens; on December 24, 1959, in the form of a futuristic clock.
The Hourriez spiral clock appeared several times a day, counting down the seconds before the day's key events, such as the eight o'clock news...
Viewers could then reset their watches while watching TV.

The clock's dial was permanently placed in front of a fixed camera.
Its creator, Christian Hourriez, then aged 25, tells his story:
"In 1959, I was a student at the Ecole Boulle... One day, a teacher told us that the RTF was opening a competition to imagine an original clock dial for TV. I had the idea of distributing the hours on a spiral. The jury adopted my project. The watchmaker REGLIA acquired the reproduction rights and manufactured a series of clocks based on this model".
This television clock will be used to "open and close" all TV programs until the disappearance of ORTF on December 31, 1974.

DESCRIPTION of the watch.
Dimensions: width excluding winder 36 mm, length 41 mm at the end of the handles and 11 mm thick including glass, men's model, large for the time.
Case: "cushion" shape, in gilded metal, with screwed stainless steel back.
Glass: plexiglass, slightly domed.
Dial: unforgettable design! "Baton" hands, a central second hand and the date window at 4 o'clock.
Movement: French, JEJ = Joseph Jeambrun Maîche.
Joseph Jeambrun Company, from Maîche, manufacturer of French movements in the Besançon region. These movements are the result of partially automated manufacturing using linear transfer machines invented by the engineer Charles Collet. Ets Jeambrun disappeared in 1967 when they merged with Technic Ebauche.

This movement is therefore the Jeambrun 27D, in 11 1/2 lines format. It is equipped with an anti-shock mechanism. Mechanical with manual winding, beating with a frequency of 18,000 vibrations/hour (2.5 Hz), it has an anchor escapement, a monometallic balance (with Incabloc anti-shock mechanism) and 17 jewels, a power reserve of 47 hours.


Good night little ones, it's time for the sandman!

Where am I in the nearby COSMOS?

A timepiece that can be admired under a magnifying glass despite its 40 mm diameter.

A wealth of information on an astronomical dial!

Finally, it will be especially great topics of conversation with your friends from the astronomy club concerning:

-> The age of the Moon / Phase of the Moon / Tides and ebb
-> Elevation and direction of the moon
-> Elevation and direction of the sun
-> Complete darkness of the sky (terrestrial), astronomical twilight
-> Apparent local sidereal time
-> Elevation and direction of Sirius (Main star of the constellation of Canis Major)
-> Elevation and direction of Arcturus (Brightest star of the northern constellation of Boötes). and many others....



A COSMIC timepiece..

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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