Ollech & Wajs Swiss Automatic Navichron Chronograph Watch #OW-Navichron

One of OW’s best-known specialty chronographs, the Navichron line has long been a favourite of professionals and sportsmen around the world. When first introduced in the late1960s, it became an instant hit with pilots, sailors, soldiers, engineers and world travellers. As one of the first dual-pusher chronographs water-resistant to 200 m, it was also adopted by skin divers and frogmen.

Today’s OW Navichron is powered by a Valjoux 7753-based two-counter chronograph. It follows a long tradition of Valjoux chronographs, with highly regarded historical references such as the V72, V92, V7730, V7733 and V7750. OW has devised its own Precision rating, reserved for movements of only the highest quality. We start with a Valjoux 7753, with a brutalist matte finish, which we then reassemble with our own machined rotor, bearing the famous OW propellor monogram. We engrave the mainplate with ‘Ollech & Wajs Zurich 1956’, before removing the hours counter. We then reassemble the watch, regulate it and test its precision in five positions as well as its duration.

The OW Navichron retains a 12-hour sliding bezel, enabling travellers to determine time across different zones. It is also a highly capable professional diving watch and, as with the inaugural 1967 Navichron, has a 20-minute diving scale on the bezel. It has a specially reinforced case; extra-thick sapphire glass; and unique four-gasket pushers, capable of withstanding over 50ATM of pressure. Its markers and hands feature Super-LumiNova®, ensuring maximum visibility in all conditions, above and below the surface.

The OW NAVICHRON comes on an aged, natural leather and linen vintage, racing-style strap, handmade by one of Italy’s finest tanneries. The luxury strap is completed with a brushed stainless steel thorn buckle, signed ‘OWZ 1956’.

The OW NAVICHRON has an optional S-type Mark II bracelet, inspired by those found on many Ollech & Wajs models of the 1960s. Its links are individually machined in a solid block of 316L stainless steel, before being carefully brushed, assembled and screwed by hand. This process prevents the usual stretching common among pressed steel bracelets, ensuring both longevity and comfort to the wearer. The bracelet’s double-lock deployant clasp prevents accidental opening.