The C-1000 FAGN is custom made by Ollech & Wajs for the Air Force of the National Gendarmerie.
Equal to the extreme challenges faced 24/7 by the unit’s elite helicopter crews, from fast-roping into any emergency situation to military and law enforcement missions to sea and mountain rescue, in all weather conditions, day or night.
Until now, this watch was only available to active and retired members of the unit, but with kind permission of the Gendarmerie, a special version of this watch will soon be available to the public.
A standard C-1000 was selected for an extended period of testing by the National Gendarmerie Air Force, where is was worn on active duty in a variety of actual missions across an 18 month period on La Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean. The C-1000 was subjected to the rigours of daily use and outperformed several other watches from reputable Swiss and French manufacturers.
Chosen for the quality of its movement, its robust characteristics and outstanding water resistance, the OW C-1000 was customised to FAGN’s own specifications. The diver’s bezel was replaced with a bespoke 60-minutes navigation bezel and the watch was equipped with a lightweight, single piece military-grade nylon strap, inspired by the FAGN pilot’s iconic blue flying suits. A custom blue Super-LumiNova® handset was fitted to the dial which was then signed with the FAGN insignia.
The C-1000 FAGN will be almost identical to the operational version but will have its own 60- minutes pilot’s bezel. It will also have a special engraved case back bearing the regiment’s official badge.
The C -1000 FAGN is powered by a Soprod Newton Precision P092; automatic, date-only calendar with 44-hour power reserve. The Soprod Newton P092 movement is independently tested for dependability and durability at the internationally renowned Laboratoire Dubois in Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and has been awarded a Chronofiable® certification. OW worked with Soprod for 6 months to develop a fully bespoke version of the Newton, fine tuned to OW’s exacting specification and adjusted in 5 positions. The movement is finished with a co-designed, custom engraved OW Zurich 1956 rotor. This inimitable movement carries OW’s own ‘Precision’ rating, reserved for movements of only the highest quality.
Technical Specifications:
Year 2024
Dimensions 39.5 mm × 15.8 mm
Case Brushed 316L stainless steel, screwed back, screw-down crown, rotating bezel 12H. origin, manufactured and engraved in Jura, Switzerland
Glass Sapphire with anti-glare treatment
Dial Hands blue Super-LumiNova®, indexes in cream Super-LumiNova®
Water resistance 1000m/ 100atm
Movement Automatic, 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 independently tested for dependability and durability at the internationally renowned Laboratoire Dubois in Chaux-de Fonds, Switzerland, and has been awarded a Chronofiable® certification.
Average Accuracy +/-5 seconds per day, adjusted in five positions
Nylon ‘FAGN Blue’ band 20 mm, military-grade nylon one-piece band, made in Great Britain, hand-finished in Switzerland, with a stainless steel thorn buckle, signed ‘OWZ 1956’
M-Heritage bracelet 20 mm medium gauge, stainless steel mesh bracelet, hand-brushed, reinforced ends, with an OW-engraved thorn buckle (Available as an add on 126 CHF)
Price 1,856 CHF
Origin Handmade in the Swiss Jura
For more information please visit Ollech & Wajs