Hands-On With The Ollech & Wajs C-1000 A
When Ollech & Wajs released the C-1000 A, I knew I had to spend some time with it. This watch is an interesting one that pays homage to the brand’s groundbreaking Caribbean 1000 from 1964.
Ollech & Wajs is a brand that does not enter the mainstream conversation much, which is a shame because there’s much to appreciate. The company has a good history of producing tool watches that were often loved by soldiers and adventurers the world over. The brand was founded in 1956 by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs. It’s crazy to think that just eight years later, in 1964, Ollech & Wajs would go on to introduce the Caribbean 1000. This was a watch that had a certified depth rating of 1,000 meters.
The Ollech & Wajs Caribbean 1000
The Caribbean 1000 had a monobloc case that was able to go 700 meters deeper than the Rolex Submariner or Omega Seamaster 300. Of course, both Rolex and Omega would introduce their deep divers not long after with the Sea-Dweller (1967) and PloProf (1971). Doxa also introduced the Conquistador, which had a helium escape valve, in 1969. Nevertheless, it was quite a feat by Ollech & Wajs.
It was truly an era for pushing watch manufacturing and industrial tolerances to their limits. It’s fair to say the original Ollech & Wajs Caribbean 1000 was a technically advanced timepiece for the 1960s. Ollech & Wajs announced the release of the new 1,000m-rated C-1000 A diver last year to mark the original’s 60th anniversary (which is what the “A” stands for). However, delivery of these watches only recently started. Fortunately, I had the chance to spend several weeks with one.
The modern Ollech & Wajs C-1000 A
It is with this rich history in mind that we move to the modern rendition of this Ollech & Wajs classic. Now under new ownership, the brand has been focused on crafting modern takes on classic tool watches. With a particular emphasis on diving and aviation timepieces, Ollech & Wajs has been a quiet achiever, introducing many new designs that have been received well by brand fans and general watch enthusiasts alike.
With this context in mind, perhaps you can see why I was interested in getting some hands-on time when Ollech & Wajs announced its modern take on the 1964 original. This was especially because I could enjoy taking it into the sea and then share my thoughts with you here.
Getting down to brass tacks with this Ollech & Wajs dive watch
Let’s get the key specifications out of the way. Unless you got one of the first 56 numbered pieces, the watch is powered by an automatic Soprod Newton P092. This 23-jewel caliber ticks away at 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 44-hour power reserve. In terms of size and specs, it’s similar to an ETA 2824-2 or a Sellita SW200-1, though the folks at Ollech & Wajs say they preferred the P092 over alternative calibers. Notable differences between its ETA and Sellita counterparts are the P092’s balance at 6 o’clock (rather than near 12) and the full balance bridge.
The 316L stainless steel case has brushed surfaces, a screw-in back, a screw-down crown, and a unidirectional bezel. This bezel contains a recessed 12-hour insert with a 20-minute diving scale and luminous numerals. The C-1000 A has a 39.5mm diameter and a chunky 15.8mm thickness. Some of the latter measurement comes from the domed and antireflective sapphire glass. I noticed that the screw-in case back bulges slightly outward too. Perhaps this is to account for the immense pressures that the watch’s 1,000m depth rating would bring.
A rugged watch built with a purpose in mind
The crown of the C-1000 A is oversized and feels particularly robust. To me, it feels like something that has come out of the Tudor factory as it has the same strong feel without any wobble, which modern Tudor owners will be familiar with. The date complication sits at 6 o’clock on the dial, which also has an upright triangle filled with luminescent material at 12 and two inverted triangles at 3 and 9 o’clock. A small rectangular marker with luminescent material sits beneath the date window.
On the dial, we find the Ollech & Wajs logo, with the text “Zurich 1956” and “Precision” just beneath. Just above the date window is the “C-1000” model name and “1000M” to indicate the watch’s depth rating. I think we could do without one of these two lines as they look a little redundant and odd. The Ollech & Wajs logo is also found on the crown.
A new case for a new model
What Ollech & Wajs has done in the past is utilize the same case for different models in the collection. This has been problematic because it had a relatively long 49.5mm lug-to-lug footprint. This new release, however, feels much more wearable thanks to its 45.7mm length. This greatly helps reduce the overall feeling of size with what is, admittedly, a chunky watch.
One interesting thing I noticed is that the hands, which are a nice pencil shape (barring the seconds hand, which ends in an arrow tip), have a slightly different color of white lume than the dial. The dial’s lume looks ever-so-slightly creamy, whereas the handset’s lume is stark white. It’s no biggie, but the small details can stick with you.
A durable timepiece built for the sea
The Ollech & Wajs C-1000 A feels incredibly sturdy, as one would expect from a Swiss-made timepiece with a 1,000m depth rating. The bezel action is fantastic, with little to no play between clicks. It’s a 120-click bezel, by the way. Also, the grip on the bezel is tactile and excellent. It seems like it would be relatively easy to turn while wearing diving gloves.
Using the watch underwater is a breeze. It’s incredibly easy to read, probably thanks, in part, to the crystal. The handset design makes it easy to distinguish key information underwater too. Furthermore, the watch feels reassuring on the wrist underwater thanks to its heft and overall rugged impression. I think this Ollech & Wajs is an excellent option for those seeking a durable dive watch that isn’t from one of the larger brands.
Concluding thoughts
I’ve been impressed with the Ollech & Wajs C-1000 A. Indeed, it proved a reliable companion as I ventured into the ocean daily over several weeks. Admittedly, I was initially concerned about its stated 15.8mm thickness; that’s a lot of watch! In reality, however, the C-1000 A wears quite well thanks to its relatively compact lug-to-lug and the fact that some of the thickness is due to the case back, which buries itself into the wrist, or the crystal, which is hardly noticeable. If I were to re-evaluate what the thickness “feels” like, I would say it wears more like 13.5–14mm. This is perfectly manageable. Plus, given the heritage, design chops, and overall impression of quality, the asking price of CHF 1,856 seems reasonable.
Admittedly, I do wish the colors of lume on the dial and handset matched perfectly rather than the slight color difference I noted with the review example. Perhaps this was a design decision, but the obsessive part of me finds it a little offputting. That said, the watch is attractive and a worthy successor to the original legend of the vintage version. I also find the different handset design to be a real boon to this particular model from the brand. But what about you, Fratelli? Would you consider the new Ollech & Wajs C-1000 A? Let me know in the comments.
