The Ollech & Wajs Astrochron story began in Zürich nearly 60 years ago, amidst history’s most ambitious era of exploration. The race to go faster, further, and deeper had the world poised at the edge of several new frontiers, the most notable being outer space. The astral realm represented the ultimate in exploration and inspired the name of the famous Ollech & Wajs 1967 ‘triple-register’ chronograph.
Perhaps it was inevitable that NASA’s most prestigious scientists would be among the elite professionals that used the Astrochron’s various dials and scales —such as Chief Rocket Scientist Wernher von Braun. Engineers, sportsmen, commercial and military divers, pilots, and ship officers were also fast to appreciate the value of such a rugged and water-resistant precision timing instrument.
Only a chronograph of outstanding quality would be worthy of continuing the Astrochron legacy today, and this reinterpretation of the Ollech & Wajs Zürich Astrochron ensures that the original design cues were maintained and additional features were added. With a water resistance of 500 meters, the new model more than doubles the depth rating of the original and far exceeds the Swiss chronograph standard.
Other updates include a 360-degree rotating compass bezel and a 20-minute diver’s scale. These additional utilities, combined with a five-minute Regatta counter, extra-thick domed sapphire crystal —vintage looking—, and unique four-gasket pusher system, make the new Ollech & Wajs Astrochron as proficient on the ocean as it is under and over it.
Inside the brushed 316L stainless steel case measuring 39.56 mm X 16.8 mm, the beating heart of this timepiece is a descendant of the historic Valjoux 72 movement that powered the first Astrochrons. A custom-engraved automatic Valjoux 7753, with an OW, machined rotor set onto it, that is regulated, adjusted, and power-tested in five positions at OW’s workshop in the Swiss Jura, thereby qualifying for the OW Precision rating. The movement provides a power reserve of 54 hours when fully wound.
As a final tribute to its forebear, the new chronograph revives the distinctive North Atlantic blue dial of 1968 with hands and indexes in SuperLumiNova, a running seconds register at 9 o’clock, a 12-hour totalizer and 30-minute totalizer incorporating a Regatta counter and a date aperture.
The first 56 numbered Ollech & Wajs Zürich Astrochron S will be available to reserve via the OW website from March 10th
Sticker Price CHF 2,496 Swiss Francs —approximately $2,700 USD. For more info on Ollech & Wajs Zürich click here.
