Ollech & Wajs has announced a new chronograph inspired by the golden age of motorsport. The OW Rallychron joins the collection this spring, and it’s a watch with at once appears traditional, and pulled straight from a 1960s race track, and also has some Easter eggs that racing aficionados will surely appreciate. Ollech & Wajs releases are always notable in our view because of the brand’s unique, somewhat offbeat sensibility, and their habit of overbuilding their watches to an almost comical degree.
The OW Rallychron has a 39.5mm stainless steel case that is completely brushed, and is based on heritage chronographs from the Ollech & Wajs catalog. And while this watch has the appearance of being track ready, it has water resistance to 300 meters, so it will easily stand up to any water related activities you throw at it, or any unfortunate track related incidents that become water related activities. Unsurprisingly, the case is a tad thick to accommodate the water resistance (and the Valjoux 7753 movement), measuring in at 15.3mm.
The dial is gray with black subdials, and is inspired by grayscale news photography that you might have seen in the 1960s when racing was covered in the media. It makes this one a muted and somewhat understated affair, even with what is likely to be a somewhat massive wrist presence given the case height. The hands offer the first bit of racing inspired design, with hour and minute hands being given a checkered pattern, recalling, of course, a checkered flag. The white elements on the hands are lumed, which makes for an interesting visual effect in low light situations. In addition, the chronograph seconds and minute hands have been tipped with orange lume.
A close look at the bezel reveals the other racing inspired design code of the Rallychron. It’s a rotating PVD coated bezel, and on the outer section you’ll find “perfect” lap times for 11 of the world’s great racing circuits. Ollech & Wajs partnered with noted car collector, author, and rally driver Hervé Charbonneaux on this aspect of the watch, and spent considerable time poring over race results from the late 1960s to arrive at the times reflected on the bezel. Part of the hope here is that it will inspire debate among racing enthusiasts, as they imagine the perfect trip around Monza, Monaco, or Daytona.
The Rallychron will be a permanent part of the Ollech & Wajs collection when it made available for sale on March 30, but in keeping with recent Ollech & Wajs tradition, the first 54 will feature numbered crowns. To register interest with the brand in obtaining one of the first Rallychrons, collectors are asked to email them directly. The retail price of the Rallychron is set at 2,356 CHF. More information can be found here.
