Ollech & Wajs releases the OW 8001 – a new sports watch with integrated bracelet

Ollech & Wajs releases the OW 8001 – a new sports watch with integrated bracelet, inspired by their 1970s design.

Press Release info with commentary in italics.

Ollech & Wajs releases the OW 8001 – a new sports watch with integrated bracelet

The new Ollech & Wajs OW 8001 is priced at CHF 1,856 before taxes. The first 56 will be numbered crown editions. Reservations are now open by sending an email to [email protected], including your full name, postal address, phone number and email address.

Commentary

Ollech & Wajs introduced its first integrated bracelet sports watch in the early 1970s. One of the models which stood out was the OW8000 – a chronograph with a TV style dial in a stylised tonneau shaped case with a Havana brown fumé dial. This watch was released in 1973, and OW decided to do a tribute watch to the original – with the novelty of today: the OW 8001.

What we think is interesting was that the OW 8001 does not seem a derivative of the OW 8000, but rather is more similar to the Vacheron Constantin 222 or the Tissot PRX Series. The case design seems to be very similar to these two other watches and look nothing like the original OW 8000.

First, it is not a chronograph. Second, it is not the angular TV shaped tonneau case and its characteristic TV shaped dial opening, but rather a more regular tonneau case with a round dial opening. The new OW 8001 has a diving style bezel, though it is fixed and not rotatable. While the original OW 8000 has a lip for a bezel, which due to its shape is not also not able to rotate.

The only similarity we see is the use of the dégradé style dial, which they call “Havana fumé”. This dial is made by double lacquering, similar to the dials made by the Glashütte Original dial manufacture in Pforzheim.

Other than this seemingly unusual tribute design look, the new OW 8001 looks excellent. It looks very attractive.

Especially when pitched at the sub CHF 1.9k mark, and though this is still more than double the retail price of the Tissot Powermatic 80, the OW has a couple of tricks up its sleeves. To its credit, the OW 8001 is rated to 300m water resistance, with the entire watch being rather substantial, weighing in at 200g on a 39.5mm case. The movement used is further not only COSC certified, but also has been awarded the Chronofiable certification. It is a derivative version of the Soprod Newton Precision P092.

Release details

THE NEW OW 8001: BORN 1973. REBORN 2023

Ollech & Wajs was among the first companies to introduce a range of integrated bracelet sports models in the early 70s. Most notable of these was the OW Ref.8000 – a sleek and angular TV dial chronograph with a stunning !Havana brown fumé’ dial.

To mark the 50th anniversary of this pivotal watch, we have created a new model, which both epitomises and contemporises the character of the OW Ref.8000

The new, chronologically named OW 8001 has a brutalist, brushed stainless steel tonneau case, which flows seamlessly into an integrated brushed oyster-style bracelet, engineered for extreme durability and modelled closely on the original. For added comfort and stability, the bracelet is finished with a sturdy milled, engraved clasp, extendable up to 22 mm, and a double pusher- release system for extra security against accidental opening.

Unlike a lot of so-called sports watches, the OW 8001 is actually built for sports. It shares the streamline characteristics of its predecessor but has a distinctively more rugged, burly aesthetic. An uncompromising 316L stainless steel case with a round dial aperture, an extra-thick sapphire crystal and screw-down crown guarantee a superior water resistance of 300 m (30ATM). Weighing in at close to 200g puts the OW 8001 firmly in the heavyweight division.

The dial itself reprises the !Havana fumé’ finish, achieved with a double-lacquering technique that creates a mesmerising radial gradient effect.

What elevates the OW 8001 to a class all of its own lies beyond its tough exterior. Inside the watch is a Chronometer-certified, deluxe version of the Soprod Newton Precision P092 – OW”s first COSC-certified model of the modern era. The bridge of each movement is stamped with the COSC number, confirming that it meets the accuracy and precision standards of the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. Each OW 8001 also comes with Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres certification papers. The bespoke automatic, date-only calendar movement has 23 jewels and a 44-hour power reserve. The Soprod Newton P092 movement is also independently tested for dependability and durability at the internationally renowned Laboratoire Dubois in Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and has additionally been awarded a Chronofiable® certification.

As one of the original players in the integrated bracelet sports category, OW have re-entered the game with a watch capable of outperforming the majority of the modern-day competition.

The OW 8001 represents a harmonious coalescence of durability, utility, precision, comfort and style, making it versatile enough to wear with a wetsuit or a linen suit.

Ollech & Wajs OW8001 technical specifications

Reference OW 8001

Year 2023

Dimensions

39.56 mm × 12 mm

Case

Brushed 316L stainless steel tonneau style, screwed bottom, screwed crown, fixed steel bezel; made in the Swiss Jura

Bezel

Fixed bezel with a combination of numeric and round markers in Super-LumiNova® at 5-minute intervals

Glass

Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment

Dial

Double-lacquered !Havana fumé’ dial; baton hands and indexes in Super-LumiNova®, with date window at 6 o’clock

Water resistance 300 m/30ATM

Movement

Automatic, COSC-certified, bespoke Soprod Newton Precision P092; date-only calendar, with semi- instantaneous changes and quick adjustment using the crown; stop seconds; 4Hz 28,800 vibrations per hour; 23 jewels; 44-hour power reserve. The Soprod Newton P092 movement is also independently tested for dependability and durability at the internationally renowned Laboratoire Dubois in Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and has additionally been awarded a Chronofiable® certification.

Average accuracy
+/-7 seconds per day, adjusted in five positions (equivalent of ETA Elaborate)

Bracelet

Integrated brushed oyster-style bracelet, engineered for comfort and stability and extreme durability. The bracelet is finished with sturdy milled, engraved clasp, extendable up to 22 mm, and a double pusher- release system for extra security against accidental opening.

Origin

Over 90% Swiss Made