Introducing the Ollech & Wajs Navichron

Following up on their Oceangraph and C-1000 releases earlier this year, Ollech & Wajs have announced a chronograph dubbed the Navichron which calls on much of the same aesthetic. Like their other recent releases, this OW falls into extreme territory in terms of case engineering, built for ‘professionals’ and ‘sportsmen’ according to the brand. Whether or not you fall into either of those categories, the Navichron rocks an old school vibe that mixes a lot of charm into its robust frame that borders on the impractical for anything less than professional activities. Thankfully, there are no requisites for owning and enjoying such extreme tools, so let’s take a closer look.

The Navichron is built on a steel 39.5mm case with a matching 12 hour steel bezel. The long, tapered lugs are brushed with drilled holes at their ends, keeping a similar feel to the brand’s chronographs of the ‘60s. At the case’s edge you’ll find rather distinctive pushers for operating the chronograph, which are short, but feature a broad, flat surface area at their ends which should create a high level of confidence in use. The case measures an eye watering 16.8mm in thickness in service of the 500m depth rating. The whole case is pretty skookum and that comes with an appeal all its own. 

The dial is a modern spin on classic Ollech & Wajs design language, with a matte black base hosting a pair of white sub dials for the running seconds and minute totalizer. Yellow Super-LumiNova is used on the hour markers and block shaped hands providing a nod to the brand’s heritage on the way to strong legibility. A date window appears at 6 o’clock, maintaining symmetry.

Inside Ollech & Wajs is using a top grade Valjoux 7753 automatic chronograph movement that’s been modified in finishing to include OW branding. The 7753 also features a quick date set pusher usually integrated into the case along the 9 o’clock side. The movement is ETA top grade, meaning it sits just underneath chronometer spec, but it has been regulated and tested to 5 positions according to Ollech & Wajs.

Just 112 numbered examples of the Navichron will be produced through 2021. Of those, 56 will be the Navichron on leather or linen straps, and 56 will be the Navichron S, offered on a beads of rice steel bracelet. Pricing is set at CHF1956 (~$2205) and can be pre-ordered by email Ollech & Waj directly at [email protected].