Ollech & Wajs ID3066 - Neovintage Chronograph & History of the company

Today in our workshop, a special watch arrived from a customer in Germany: an Ollech & Wajs Precision ID3066, a neovintage chronograph from the early 2000s, which came in for a crown and tube change, as well as re-sealing. This model is typical of O&W's philosophy - strictly instrumental watches, built for durability, functionality and total reliability.

The photos from the repair highlight both the robust character of the watch and its meticulous engineering. The black matte chronograph dial with bold, legible indices, the classic "O&W Precision" logo and the day-date indication at 3 o'clock bear witness to the aesthetics of an era when design served usability first.

Inside, the ID3066 wears an ETA/Valjoux 7750 automatic movement, the ultimate workhorse of Swiss watchmaking. The ruggedness of the 7750, its signature cam system chronograph and its reliable automatic movement ensure that the watch can function properly for decades, as long as it is maintained by skilled hands.

And that's where our role comes in: The-Watchmaker is an official Ollech & Wajs service center for Greece, with access to genuine spare parts and technical specifications according to the manufacturer. This means that every O&W that passes through our workshop is treated with full respect for the brand's philosophy and with strict adherence to all technical standards.

History: Ollech & Wajs - Instrument watches for professionals and explorers

Ollech & Wajs was founded in Zurich in 1956 by Albert Wajs and Joseph Ollech. From its very first steps, the company chose a different path from many other Swiss companies: it did not pursue sensationalism, but absolute practicality.

O&W quickly gained a reputation:

• In the military, thanks to highly durable and low-reflection watches that were widely used by units in Europe and the US.
• To divers and underwater professionals, with models such as the well-known Caribbean 1000, one of the first watches with water resistance up to 1000m.
• To pilots, as the company built robust pilot chronographs, extremely reliable in demanding conditions.
• To adventurers, people who were looking for a "tool" watch, built to withstand real use.

O&W's philosophy was - and remains - clear: Swiss Made mechanical watches, with an emphasis on precision, durability and pure ergonomics.

In the early 2000s, the period from which the ID3066 we currently house in our workshop originated, the company continued to produce small series of instrumental models, with an aesthetic inspired by the 1960s-1980s. This "neovintage" identity makes the O&Ws of the period particularly popular with collectors seeking authenticity and non-"marquetry" watchmaking.

The service at The-Watchmaker

In the case of this particular clock, the work carried out includes:

• Removal of worn crown and tube
• Fitting of new similar spare parts
• Checking and lubrication of sealants
• Fully sealed according to O&W specifications
• Checking the correct operation of the day-date mechanism
• Visual and functional control of the chronograph

After the work, the clock returned to its robustly functional nature, ready to continue its story for many more years to come.