Amid the summer season, Ollech & Wajs Zürich presents the Astrochron on a handcrafted Perlon Regatta strap.
The OW Astrochron “Regatta” is offered in a 39.56 mm X 16.8 mm stainless steel case that’s fitted with a specially handcrafted lightweight Perlon textile strap instead of the traditional beads-of-rich stainless steel bracelet, which is also an option. Following the launch of the dual register Navichron S chronograph (pictured below), which is inspired by a 1965 model, the Astrochron expands on the OW collection with a triple register chronograph.
“The story of the chronograph that many consider Ollech & Wajs finest ever, began 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. O&W wanted to create a timing instrument suitable for the generation of engineers and scientists poised at the edge of the final frontier. The astral realm represented the ultimate in exploration and inspired the name of Ollech & Wajs’ famous 1967 ‘triple-register’ chronograph — the Astrochron.” according to OW.
The Astrochron “Regatta” features a distinctive North Atlantic blue dial that’s inspired by the sea blue color of the ocean and dates back to 1968, at which time the company offered one of the very few chronograph timepieces on the market capable of operating at depths of 200 meters. This modern version is depth rated to more than double that at 500 meters and is still amongst a small group of chronographs rated to such a depth. This is thanks in part to an extra thick sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, solid steel screw-in caseback, and unique four-gasket water-resistant pusher system.
In addition to more than doubling the depth rating, OW included a 360-degree rotating compass scale on the stainless steel bezel. Just inside the bezel is a fixed 0-60 “count up” diving scale. There’s also a Regatta countdown timer function marked with the 30-minute chronograph counter, allowing you to calculate the two 5-minute increments leading up to the start of a Regatta boat race.
Inside the brushed 316L stainless steel case is a descendant of the historic Valjoux 72 movement that powered the first Astrochrons. An automatic 4Hz, 27-jewel, ETA/Valjoux caliber 7753, with 54-hour power reserve, an engraved OW machined rotor, that’s been regulars, adjusted, and tested in five positions at Ollech & Wajs’ workshop in the Swiss Jura mountains near Zurich, qualifying it for the OW Precision rating.
Woven exclusively for OW using premium quality, lightweight braided nylon, the 20 mm wide Regatta strap offers a tactile blend of comfort and durability. The eye-catching two-tone pattern echoes the dial colors of the Astrochron and those familiar with the International maritime signal flag system may also recognize the nautical code for ‘J’ (Juliet). The strap is highly water, saline, and oil-resistant — and combined with the Astrochron’s extreme 500M depth rating make this summer complement equal to any challenge, in or around the ocean.
With its triple register white on blue dial, and matching Perlon strap, the Astrochron Regatta blue is ready for diving, sailing, and practically any summer-related activities. The retail price for the Astrochron on Perlon strap is $2,632.37
Learn more here.
The OW Astrochron S, which comes on a stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet, retails for $2,788.
Photos by Ollech & Wajs.
