Swiss manufacturer of instrument watches since 1956.
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Ollech & Wajs Watches: Swiss diving, pilot and military watches since 1956
Discover our watch collection Ollech & Wajs, the Swiss manufacture founded in 1956 in Zurich by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs. A pioneer in sports and instrument watchmaking, in 1964 it launched the OW Caribbean 1000, the first watch with certified water resistance of 1.000 metres, 700 metres deeper than any Rolex or Omega model of the time. Its watches were worn by American soldiers in Vietnam, by NASA astronaut Anthony Llewellyn and by the CI5 agents of the British series The Professionals. Una de las pocas marcas suizas que se negaron a fabricar relojes de cuarzo durante la crisis de los 70 y 80.
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Who founded Ollech & Wajs?
The brand Ollech & Wajs was founded in 1956 in Zurich by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs. In 1957 they began producing watches under various brands (OWZ, Helsa, Piz Palu) and from 1959 onwards they focused on the OW brand.
What makes the OW Caribbean 1000 special?
The OW Caribbean 1000 PrecisionLaunched in 1964, it was the first watch with a certified water resistance of 1,000 metres (3,300 feet). Its “Triple-Safe” monobloc case allowed it to descend 700 metres deeper than any Rolex or Omega model of the era. In 1966 it accompanied an Italian expedition to the North Pole.
Why did Ollech & Wajs never make quartz watches?
During the quartz crisis (1981-1994), Albert Wajs refused to make anything other than mechanical movements. Convinced that Swiss mechanical watchmaking had a future, it scaled back production but never stopped. Today Ollech & Wajs remains one of the few Swiss brands that have never made a quartz watch.
