An exact copy of the Breitling Navitimer reference 806, this re-edition takes all the characteristics of the original model by adding the latest know-how of the house through the manual manufacture caliber B09. An essential brand linked to aviation, Breitling has fascinated me since I was little. The beaded bezel of this Navitimer, its small diameter (41 mm) and its ultra-domed Plexiglas have finished convincing me!

Re-release of a legend!

Introduced in 1969, Zenith designed the Defy as a robust watch made for adventure with a water resistance of 300m and an octagonal case topped with a 14-sided bezel that earned it the nickname of a safe. This reissue limited to 250 pieces is powered by the Elite 670 caliber. The work done on the indexes is impressive and we find ourselves playing with the light to make them "flash". The 37mm diameter is ideal for me, sufficiently present on the wrist without falling into ostentation. All with an integrated bracelet three years before the arrival of the first icons designed by Gérald Genta... I love it!

The safe of time

Equipped with the latest version of the in-house movement (El Primero 3600, visible through the caseback), the Chronomaster Original takes up the aesthetic codes of the A386 reference from 1969. The historic colours of the sub-counters bring a certain balance to the dial and bring a touch of modernity. Designed for measuring short times, the sub-counter at 6 o'clock totals the minutes while the one at 3 o'clock displays the seconds and the central second hand the 1/10th of a second. The high frequency of the calibre (5 Hz) allows for exemplary fluidity of the small seconds located at 9 o'clock. The serenity and calm that emerge from the dial disappear the moment you push the chronograph pusher, leading the red hand into a mad race that questions our relationship with time and reminds us all of what it is possible to do in a limited moment. A legendary model and movement to rediscover in this modernised version!

Lightning!

Created in 1931, the Reverso was presented at the time as a sports watch that responded to the problem of robustness by offering a reversible case to protect the dial as desired. 
Nowadays, the Reverso belongs more to the category of dress watches, although by changing the strap (equipped with quick releases) it adapts to all outfits with disconcerting ease. 
The Art Deco style highlighted by the gadroons and the work done on the dial won me over: alternating vertically brushed surfaces and guilloché, flame-blued hands and small seconds at six o'clock. The most attentive will notice the railroad track which is here replaced by a fine guilloché going around the dial. One last detail that I love: the "1" which from afar seem to be only batons when they are not! 
The manual movement that equips this model is a real treat to wind and allows the watch to slip under all sleeves. One question remains: what should be written on the back of this icon?

Bill or face?

Founded in 1892 in Pennsylvania, Hamilton made a name for itself by supplying watches to the railways, thus synchronizing the hours on the network and significantly reducing accidents. Since the second half of the 20th century, the brand has worked closely with Hollywood. During the quartz crisis, the company joined the SSIH in 1974, which later became the Swatch Group (1998). 

Capturing the American spirit of the brand, the Spirit of Liberty is a call to freedom as evidenced by the words of Andrew Hamilton laser engraved on the bracelet "without liberty life is a misery". Acquired a few years ago when I was looking for my first automatic watch, its sunray dial, transparent back and dressy style seduced me. It is this model that definitively made me switch to the wonderful world of mechanical watches!

My first mechanical watch!

The Zenith brand was created in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot in Le Locle, Switzerland. A pioneer in Swiss watchmaking in the creation of a true vertically integrated manufacture, Zenith aimed to create the most precise watch of its time at the best price. Over the years, it has established itself as a benchmark for precision and expertise in many fields.
In 1899, the marque Zenith presents its first pocket chronograph and wins various prizes, including first prize at the Paris Motor Show. In 1911 Georges Favre-Jacot handed over management of the factory to his descendants, who named it Zenith, the name of the highest point in the trajectory of a star in the sky.
In 1920, Zenith launched its first wristwatches and continued its development until, in 1960, it purchased the Martel Watch Co. Nine years later, the brand gave birth to the El Primero movement, the first chronograph equipped with a rotor winding mechanism. central. This world first makes El Primero today the most precise mass-produced movement in the world, thanks to its balance wheel and its cadence of ten vibrations per second. Over the years, Zenith will sign numerous innovations. The company owns three of the largest movements: the El Primero integrated automatic chronograph, the 22-line manual 5011K and the ultra-thin mechanical Elite, all available with several complications, moon phase, dual time, fly-back.
After numerous buyouts, the company that owns the Zenith factory decides to stop the production of mechanical watches in favor of quartz. In order to save these calibers from destruction, Charles Vermot hid cams, cutting tools, presses and machines, while recording the production process in a small notebook, secretly hoping for the return of mechanical movements. It was only nine years later that Zenith returned to the hands of Swiss investors who revived the brand's mechanical movements such as the El Primero.
The range now includes models like the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zenith/defy_skyline"> Zenith Defy Skyline</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zenith/chronomaster_original"> Zenith Chronomaster Original</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zenith/defy_extreme"> Zenith Defy Extreme</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zenith/chronomaster_el_primero_open"> Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open</a> and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zenith/captain_chronograph"> Zenith Captain Chronograph</a>.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Zenith watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Zenith watches sold on the brand's website vary between $6,400 and $194,900 depending on the models and finishes. As an example, count $11,300 for a Zenith Chronomaster Sport and $85,600 for a Zenith Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon.
<h2 dir="ltr">Zenith: A fantastic story that goes beyond the El Primero movement&nbsp;</h2>
Zenith is a brand owned since 2000 by the LVMH group, in the same way as the brands <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/tag_heuer">Tag Heuer</a>,<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/hublot"> Hublot</a> or<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/bulgari"> Bulgari</a>, and produces around 11,000 watches per year, all models combined. The reputation of the Zenith brand is illustrated by its presence in the ranking of<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_luxury_watch_brands"> Most popular luxury watch brands</a>. To choose a Zenith that best suits you, the Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.
(Updated January 2024)

Of course I had wanted to add an El Primero caliber to my collection for a long time.
But I had never had a crush on the recent Zeniths, finding for example the tricolor sub-dials of the Chronomasters not to my taste.
Until I found first in the press and then at a reseller this limited edition designed for Hodinkee.
Love at first sight!
First the complications: chrono + annual calendar (day date month) + moon phase
Then the dial, more precisely the meteorite sub-dials
Barely a hesitation in front of the 38 mm diameter, a little small for my 22 cm circumference wrist
I generally find the chronometer complication useless and boring, but I find myself starting the chrono of my Zenith several times a day as the movement of the small hand to the tenth of a second is fascinating and hypnotizing. It really is a very beautiful caliber.
The meteorite subdials look good on the black background, sober and discreet, a little old school
The thickness of the watch remains very reasonable despite the number of complications on board
Only small downside: the bracelet. It is very comfortable, but not up to the standard of the rest of the watch, lacking in particular easy micro-adjustment (I'm nitpicking a little, it still includes an adjustment possibility of about 1cm with basic tools; but for this price, many competitors do better)

Complications, performance, discretion and retro

Why this original chronomaster from Zenith?
First of all, there is a great love story between Zenith and me. The movement, the different models (including the DEFY that I also own), the simplicity of the brand and the different choices in colors mean that it can only match.
After acquiring the DEFY, which absolutely won me over, I could not see myself taking another watch than Zenith. I hesitated for a long time, but the original chronomaster version was the right one.
The period during which I bought it coincided with the release of the new original chronomaster models, in particular the triple calendar, but I found the dial too loaded with information, so I chose to go for the "simple" version.
So why gold? because yes, the price is much higher than a steel version.
There are several reasons, the first is that I wanted to invest in a watch, which, moreover, I like:
- the el primero movement
- a size adapted to my wrist (not very big)
- a chronograph
- I like gold watches
- a simple bracelet, with a buckle (I like all-steel bracelets much less)

In the end, this is what allowed me, after hours of reflection, benchmarking and comparison, to choose this model.
Namely that in the competition, there was the speedmaster Moonshine gold dial, but there, it was the size of the dial (and the price) that stopped me.

Gold for the First

It was important to me to have in his collection, a chrono with this legendary caliber. Zenith released for me the ideal model thanks to its 38mm case and a magnificent reverse panda dial. The most beautiful new watch with a vintage look for the time in my opinion. For my part, I was lucky to have the ladder bracelet offered with this last one which gives it even more of that vintage side that I love.

A legendary El Primero Caliber

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)

Zenith Chronomaster Original Owner Review : Dazzling, mythical and balanced

Lightning!

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