The Ollech & Wajs (OW) Rallychron is a love letter to the golden era of motor racing and the legendary circuits that bore witness to the most memorable moments in the sport’s history.
One of the defining features of this era was the sheer diversity of racing circuits and the challenges they presented. From the fast and flowing tracks like Monza and Spa Francorchamps to the tight and twisty streets of Monaco, each circuit demanded different skills from drivers and teams. The bezel of the Rallychron features hypothetical historic ‘perfect lap’ times for 11 of the world’s most iconic race tracks.
In collaboration with Hervé Charbonneaux (below) – classic car collector, rally driver, historical rally promoter and author – Ollech & Wajs hypothesised perfect lap times for each circuit, based on a set of criteria and variables. It involved lengthy analysis of the race seasons 1965–69, four years that also saw the introduction of some of the most cherished Ollech & Wajs racing chronographs. Tapping into Charbonneaux’s extensive archives, the lap times and other data from a cross-section of period Grand Prix cars – amongst them the Ferrari 312, Cooper Maserati, McLaren M4B – and the performance of various drivers were taken into consideration.
The greyscale colour scheme of the dial is a nod to the monochromatic news photography that captured the trackside action in the 60s and continues to inspire generations of racing fans. In contrast, the tips of the chronograph hand and the 30- minute timer hand are finished with Orange Super-LumiNova®, to offer maximum readability in low-light driving situations. Other talking points include the return of a heritage chronograph case, characteristic of OW’s best-known chronos from the period; and the distinctive black-and-white chequered baton hands – a reference to the universally recognised racing flag.
Under the hood of the Rallychron is a highly tuned and track-tested, custom-engraved automatic Valjoux 7753 – a descendant of the historic Valjoux 72 movement that powered the best Swiss chronographs of the 60s and 70s, including several OWs. The movement is fitted with an OW-machined rotor. It is then regulated, adjusted and power-tested in five positions, thereby qualifying it for the OW Precision rating.
The new chronograph is presented on a handcrafted black, perforated, racing-style Italian leather strap, designed to be breathable and ensure comfort over extended periods on the wrist. Alternatively there is the option of the stylish and highly durable M-Heritage medium-gauge, stainless steel mesh bracelet, with OW engraved on the thorn-style buckles of both.
Ollech & Wajs has decades of expertise in precision timing instruments for motorsports, sports chronographs and racing timers – from Grand Prix competitions to long-distance endurance rallies. The Rallychron honours this period of competitive endeavour, in a watch that is a highly capable, robust track timer and more. It is certified water-resistant to 300 m / 30ATM, not only surpassing any chronograph of the 1960s but also placing it in a class all of its own today.
The first 56 watches will have numbered crowns, as is customary with all new Ollech & Wajs models, in reference to the year the marque was founded: 1956. It will be available form the 30th March for for 2,356 CHF on leather racing strap.
Technical Specifications:
Year 2024
Dimensions
39.5 mm × 15.3 mm
Case
Brushed 316L stainless steel heritage-type chronograph case, screwed back, screw-down crown, twin pushers with 4 gaskets. Date adjusted by special diving pusher at 10 o’clock
Bezel
Black PVD-coated rotating, bidirectional friction bezel with 11 perfect lap times and tachymetric scale
Glass
Sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment
Dial
Chequered baton hands with white Super-LumiNova®. Seconds register, 30-minute timer and 12-hour totaliser. Both the main chronograph hand and 30-minute timer hand are tipped with Orange. Super-LumiNova®, for maximum visibility.
Water resistance
300 m / 30ATM
Movement
Automatic Valjoux 7753 chronograph OW PRECISION 5, position adjusted, 27 jewels. 28,800 bph, with a power reserve of +/- 54 hours. Mainplate: engraved Ollech & Wajs Zurich 1956 and OW-machined rotor.
Strap
20 mm black leather racing-style strap, with natural tan underside, handmade in Italy and finished in Switzerland; with a brushed stainless steel thorn buckle, signed ‘OWZ 1956’
Optional M-Heritage bracelet
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