Ollech & Wajs watches balance the needs of both military and non-military customers, and this is particularly evident in the current M-Series line.
The new OW M-52 AU is a stripped back variation on the M-52B ‘Air Force’ (AF), released earlier this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the B-52 Stratofortress. The new watch combines the sparse simplicity of a field watch, with the utility of a pilot’s watch and the water resistance of a dive watch. The M-52 AU is versatile enough to be deployed in any tactical situation on land, sea or air, hence its designation All Units (AU).
As with previous M-Series models its indices are a combination of dots and applied dashes, a nod to the universal military vernacular of Morse code. Inside the 39.5mm stainless steel H-case, which has a brushed finish to avoid glare, is a robust Swiss made Soprod P024 automatic movement.
The new watch reprises the popular 12 hour world time bezel and red numeral date wheel, in acknowledgement of the historic OW watches used by Vietnam era U.S. military personnel. The name ‘All Units’ is derived from a model made for Airborne troops of that period.
The M-52 AU is presented on a military-grade grey nylon RAF band and is priced 1,356 CHF. A brown Italian leather and natural linen strap can be purchased as an accessory for an additional 96 CHF. Both strap and band are hand-finished in Switzerland with a brushed stainless steel thorn buckle, signed ‘OWZ 1956’. The M-Heritage 20 mm medium gauge, stainless steel mesh bracelet can also be ordered as an additional accessory for 126 CHF.
There will be no numbered-edition of this watch, as it is a variant of the existing M-52B AF, rather than an entirely new model.
Technical Specifications:
Case
39.5 mm × 12.5 mm; 47.5 mm lug to lug, brushed 316L stainless steel, screwed bottom, screwed crown, rotating steel bezel; made in the Swiss Jura
Bezel
12-hour worldtime bidirectional friction bezel
Glass
Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
Dial
Hands and indexes in Super-LumiNova®
Water resistance
300 m/ 30ATM
Movement
Automatic, bespoke Soprod P024; date-only calendar, with semi-instantaneous changes and quick adjustment using the crown; stop seconds; 4Hz 28,800 vibrations per hour; 25 jewels; 38-hour power reserve; lncabloc. Bespoke OW Zurich 1956 rotor, OW-engraved platine, custom screws, assembled for OW and adjusted in three positions
Grey RAF strap
20 mm military-grade grey nylon; finished in Switzerland; with a brushed stainless steel thorn buckle, signed ‘OWZ 1956’
Brown Italian leather strap (optional extra)
20 mm Italian leather and natural linen, finished in Switzerland; with a brushed stainless steel thorn buckle, signed ‘OWZ 1956’
M-Heritage bracelet (optional extra)
20 mm medium gauge, stainless steel mesh bracelet, hand-brushed, reinforced ends, with an OW-engraved thorn buckle
Origin
Handmade in the Swiss Jura
For more information please visit Ollech & Wajs