TAG Heuer Monaco or Carrera, Rolex Daytona, Chopard Mille Miglia, not to mention the recent Depancel, SYE… There are many watches inspired by car racing. But for those who love beautiful mechanics, there is another reference to discover urgently: the Rallychron from Ollech & Wajs Zürich, a Swiss watch that evokes “the quintessence of the race”.
Ollech & Wajs Zürich, OW for those in the know
Next to its prestigious representatives that make enthusiasts dream, Swiss watchmaking still hides some lovely little gems. Independents and brands under the radar, but that demonstrate the dynamism of this sector. Ollech & Wajs is definitely part of them.
Unless you have a genuine understanding of horology, this name is probably unfamiliar to you. However, Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs created their brand in Zurich in 1956. Initially, this shop located at 55 Stocker Street allowed customers to buy quality Swiss watches (from Omega and Breitling in particular). But as early as 1957, Ollech & Wajs began to manufacture their own timepieces. Quickly known by the name of OW, the brand became the first Swiss watch house to sell by mail order.
This business strategy allows OW to become known beyond Swiss borders, but the brand’s reputation is mainly due to the performance of its models. In 1964, the Caribbean 1000 watch became the first to be certified waterproof to a depth of 1000 meters, even proving capable of withstanding dives in Arctic waters. Around the same time, OW watches also played a crucial role in space exploration, with its Moon Orbiter, Selectron, and especially its Astro-Chron, which managed to get noticed behind the scenes at NASA… without ever making it to the moon.
So, it is on dry land that OW continues to establish its reputation, with its chronographs and other toolwatches and pilot watches. After the arrival of quartz watches, OW’s production is reduced to the bare minimum for many years, before picking up again in the mid-1990s. Following the death of Joseph Ollech, Albert Wajs tries to reinvent the OW brand and then, after more than 60 years at the helm, finally hands over the reins in 2017.
The Rallychron, a love letter to the golden age of car racing
Today, the legacy of Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs continues through a new line of OW watches. After a reinterpretation of the Astrochron and the Navichron, it is the turn of the Rallychron to put the names of Ollech & Wajs back in the spotlight.
In the 1960s, the brand supplied numerous drivers and racing enthusiasts. Its chronographs and timers were used in various competitions, Grands Prix and endurance rallies. Six decades later, the Rallychron pays a vibrant tribute to the golden age of automobile racing, its mythical circuits, and its unforgettable moments, thanks to the collaboration of Hervé Charbonneaux, a passionate collector and promoter of historic rallies.
Thus, the 39.5 mm diameter steel case is topped with a bidirectional rotating bezel. In addition to a tachymetric scale, this features hypothetical perfect lap times for 11 of the world’s most iconic circuits (Sebring, Monza, Goodwood…), a unique feature that invites debate among enthusiasts.
The dial of the Rallychron, with its color scheme in shades of gray, references the monochrome news photographs of the 60s, capturing the action at the edge of the race tracks and inspiring generations of racing fans. The stick hands adopt an aesthetic that recalls the checkered flag waved at the finish of each race, while those of the chronograph and the 30-minute counter stand out with their Super-LumiNova orange tip, ensuring maximum readability, even in low light conditions.
Technically, the Rallychron does not disappoint. Waterproof up to 300m, it houses a Valjoux 7753 automatic movement, a direct descendant of the famous Valjoux 72, thus benefiting from a 54h power reserve. Presented with a perforated black Italian leather strap reminiscent of the classic steering wheels of race cars, it can also be paired with a Milanese mesh model.
If she is indeed destined to join OW’s permanent collection, only the first 56 copies of the Rallychron (referring to the brand’s founding year) will have their crown numbered. The price, too, was not chosen at random since the watch is available from March 30, 2024 for 2356 CHF, which is just over 2400€.
