Ollech & Wajs
Ollech & Wajs is a Zurich-based Swiss watch brand known for mechanically powered military, dive, pilot, and chronograph watches.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Ollech & Wajs, commonly abbreviated as O&W, is a Swiss watch brand based in Zurich. Its roots lie in the supply of stainless-steel watch bracelets, an activity started by Albert J. Wajs in the 1950s. Wajs partnered with Joseph Ollech in 1956, after which the business expanded from components into the manufacture and sale of wristwatches. The company operated from retail premises in Zurich while also reaching customers outside Switzerland through mail-order advertising in magazines distributed in the United States and the United Kingdom. The brand developed a distinctive position around practical mechanical watches intended for military, aviation, and diving use. Its products used both automatic and manually wound movements, and during the 1960s O&W watches were sold through post exchanges on United States military bases. The M 65 military watch became particularly associated with American service personnel. Sales reportedly reached their historical peak during the Vietnam War era, when demand for robust, legible field and service watches was strong. Ollech & Wajs also participated in the period's aviation-watch market. The company used stocks of Breitling Navitimer components to produce chronograph-style watches marketed under the Aviation name. Its dive-watch range included the Caribbean 1000, a model rated for 1,000 metres of water resistance. During the first season of the British television series The Professionals in the 1970s, watches appearing to be Caribbean 1000 models were worn by actors Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins, giving the model visibility beyond specialist watch circles. Production of the principal OW models ended in the early 1980s, although the business continued with Aviation chronographs. The brand later returned under the A.I. Wajs name and subsequently again as OW. Its revived catalogue included the M4 diving watch and the Mirage chronograph powered by the Valjoux 7750 movement. This later phase retained the company's historical emphasis on mechanical construction, utilitarian design, and specialist military or instrument-watch styling rather than positioning the brand as a broad luxury conglomerate. A collector of Ollech & Wajs watches became the French-market distributor in 2006. In 2017, Albert J. Wajs transferred the company to that distributor, marking a change in stewardship while preserving the brand's independent character. The marque was relaunched in 2019 with the OW P-101 and OW P-104 pilot watches. In 2021, it introduced the OW 350CI, a design developed to complement the Condor A350 motorcycle. Ollech & Wajs therefore remains a specialist Swiss mechanical-watch name whose identity is rooted in military, aviation, and diving instruments, historical continuity, and collector interest.
History
Ollech & Wajs originated in Zurich during the 1950s, when Albert J. Wajs established a business supplying stainless-steel watch bracelets. In 1956, he entered into a partnership with Joseph Ollech. The business expanded beyond components into wristwatch production, using retail premises in Zurich and reaching foreign buyers through Swiss magazine mail-order advertising. The United States and United Kingdom became important external markets for the brand's watches. The company's core expertise developed around durable mechanical watches for military, aviation, and diving applications. O&W offered both automatic and manual-wind models, emphasizing functional construction and water resistance. During the 1960s, its watches were sold in post exchanges on United States military bases. The M 65 became one of the company's best-known military models and was widely associated with American soldiers. The Vietnam War era represented the brand's strongest sales period according to the company's historical account. Aviation watches formed another important part of the catalogue. O&W used stocks of Breitling Navitimer material in the production of chronometer-style watches sold under the Aviation name. The company also produced specialized dive watches, including the Caribbean 1000, whose stated water resistance reached 1,000 metres. The Caribbean 1000 gained additional public visibility when watches resembling the model appeared on the wrists of Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins during the first season of the 1970s British television series The Professionals. The original OW production run ended in the early 1980s, although Aviation chronographs continued afterward. During the 1990s, the business resumed operations under the A.I. Wajs name and later returned to the OW identity. This period brought new designs including the M4 diving watch and the Mirage chronograph, which used a Valjoux 7750 movement. These developments extended the brand's established focus on mechanical tool watches rather than abandoning it for fashion-oriented products. In 2006, a collector of Ollech & Wajs watches became the brand's distributor in France. Albert J. Wajs transferred the company to this distributor in 2017. The brand was subsequently revived in 2019 with the OW P-101 and OW P-104 pilot models. In 2021, it released the OW 350CI, a watch created to fit the design language of the Condor A350 motorcycles. The company's documented history is therefore marked by several production pauses and revivals, but its recurring identity remains centered on independent Swiss mechanical watchmaking, military and aviation heritage, diving capability, and specialist collector appeal.
- 2021
OW 350CI launches
[1]Ollech & Wajs releases the OW 350CI, developed to complement the Condor A350 motorcycles.
- 2019
OW P-101 and OW P-104 launch
[1]The revived brand introduces the OW P-101 and OW P-104 pilot watches.
- 2017
Company stewardship changes
[1]Albert J. Wajs transfers the company to the French-market distributor.
- 2006
A collector becomes French distributor
[1]A collector of Ollech & Wajs becomes the distributor for the French market.
- 1990
The brand resumes under A.I. Wajs and later OW
[1]The company returns during the 1990s under the A.I. Wajs name and subsequently resumes the OW identity.
- 1980
Regular OW production ends
[1]Production of the principal OW models ends in the early 1980s, while Aviation chronograph activity continues.
- 1970
Caribbean 1000 gains television exposure
[1]Watches appearing to be Caribbean 1000 models are worn by actors in the first season of The Professionals.
- 1960
Military-base distribution expands
[1]Ollech & Wajs watches are sold through post exchanges on United States military bases, including the M 65 military watch.
- 1956
Joseph Ollech joins the business
[1]Wajs partners with Joseph Ollech and the company expands from bracelet supply into wristwatch manufacture.
- 1950
Albert J. Wajs begins supplying stainless-steel bracelets
[1]Albert J. Wajs establishes the business in Zurich as a supplier of stainless-steel watch bracelets.
Products and positioning
Independent Swiss specialist watchmaking focused on robust mechanical military, diving, aviation, and pilot watches, with strong historical links to military procurement, mail-order distribution, and collector culture.
Military watch
M 65
A mechanically powered military wristwatch associated with O&W's 1960s distribution through United States military post exchanges. The M 65 became particularly popular among American soldiers and represents the brand's field-watch heritage.
Dive watch
Caribbean 1000
A highly water-resistant mechanical dive watch rated at 1,000 metres. The model is also remembered for apparent appearances in the first season of the British television series The Professionals.
Chronograph
Aviation
An O&W aviation chronograph line produced using stocks of Breitling Navitimer material. Aviation watches helped sustain the business after regular OW model production ended in the early 1980s.
Dive watch · 1990
M4
A diving model introduced during the brand's revival period in the 1990s. It continued Ollech & Wajs's focus on robust mechanical watches designed around underwater use.
Chronograph · 1990
Mirage Valjoux 7750
A chronograph from the later A.I. Wajs and OW period using the Valjoux 7750 movement. It formed part of the effort to re-establish the brand's mechanical-watch range in the 1990s.
Pilot watch · 2019
OW P-101
One of the pilot watches used to revive the OW brand in 2019. Its role was to reconnect the contemporary collection with the company's aviation and instrument-watch tradition.
Pilot watch · 2019
OW P-104
A companion pilot model launched alongside the OW P-101 in 2019 as part of the brand's modern relaunch.
Mechanical wristwatch · 2021
OW 350CI
A 2021 model created to complement the design of the Condor A350 motorcycles, extending the brand's product collaborations and its relationship with enthusiast-oriented mechanical design.
Brand decisions
2021
Launch of the OW 350CIProduct launchBackground
The brand continued developing enthusiast-oriented mechanical products beyond its core historical military and aviation formats.
Action taken
It released the OW 350CI, designed to fit the Condor A350 motorcycle.
Aftermath
The model broadened the contemporary brand story through an association with motorcycle design.
2019
Reintroduction of the OW pilot-watch lineProduct launchBackground
The revived company sought to re-establish Ollech & Wajs as a specialist mechanical watch brand with links to its aviation history.
Action taken
It launched the OW P-101 and OW P-104 pilot models.
Aftermath
The releases marked the brand's formal modern revival after earlier production interruptions.
2017
Transfer of company stewardshipStrategyBackground
After becoming the French distributor in 2006, a collector of the brand assumed responsibility for the company when Albert J. Wajs transferred it in 2017.
Action taken
The company changed hands while retaining the Ollech & Wajs and OW brand heritage.
Aftermath
The change preceded the brand's later revival and the launch of new pilot-watch models in 2019.
Sources1 sources
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