Hands-On: The Ollech & Wajs OW C-1000 Y
On Halloween, Dave Sergeant and I visited the WatchPro Salon in London at the Freemasons’ Hall. We enjoyed taking a peek at the various watches on display, but we had our favorites, of course. One watch that stood out to me was the Ollech & Wajs OW C-1000 Y, a piece I hadn’t seen before. The reason for the surprise was that this show was marking the watch’s public debut. A couple of weeks later, one arrived in the mail, and I’m pleased to share my thoughts.
Back in March, Henry, my colleague from down under, tested the new C-1000 A, which is essentially a black-dial version of today’s OW C-1000 Y. Normally, the introduction of a new dial color wouldn’t necessarily receive separate ink, but I was quite taken with the diver. Plus, I like Ollech & Wajs, but until now, the watches have been too large for my small wrist. With this model, everything changes, and the result was one of my favorite watches of 2025. Better late than never!
The Ollech & Wajs OW C-1000 Y
As Henry explained, the original Caribbean dive watch debuted in 1964. For a bit of history, the Jenny company created a monobloc case with a depth rating of 1,000 meters. This relatively small company beat big brands, including Rolex and Omega, to the punch with its ultra-deep-diving case. Ollech & Wajs entered the equation as the first company to utilize the case. Others, including Phillip Watch, would also use the design.
With the new OW C-1000 Y, we have a modern interpretation of the Caribbean, but it’s certainly not a reissue. Key traits, such as the handset, bezel, and water resistance rating, are reminiscent of the original, but the watch feels fresh. Technically, it’s identical to the black-dial model, but the yellow dial makes a huge difference.
A surprisingly wearable size
Ollech & Wajs’s latest piece has a 39.5mm diameter and a 45.7mm length. That’s great on paper, but the 15.8mm thickness sounds audacious. We’ll get to the wearing notes soon enough, but what I will share is that the crystal is incredibly distinct among divers. It’s seriously thick and domed, standing proud of the case. Yet, it flows smoothly into the unidirectional dive bezel. In other words, the crystal lacks edges, which helps the watch glide under a shirt sleeve. Also, the mid-case is rather slender with a thick movement housing. That sounds like a vintage design, but somehow, it’s thoroughly modern. A large, tactile, screw-down crown is satisfying to use with no slop. What we’re left with is an oddly satisfying nugget of a watch that seems like it could go through a brick wall.
The yellow dial that isn’t so bright or garish
When I saw the press materials for the OW C-1000 Y, the dial struck me as bright and vivid. In person, it’s very different. First, the surface is matte. Second, the color is more gold than canary yellow. It’s tough to capture depending on the light, but it’s an entirely different hue than, say, a Doxa Divingstar. My takeaway is that it’s less garish and more versatile. Plus, while I like the black version, the yellow one is more distinct.
The Soprod Newton P092
These days, Soprod doesn’t show up as often as some of the other movement suppliers, but the Newton P092 is in use on this diver. Chats with Ollech & Wajs revealed that the P092 performed exceptionally in a litany of testing. Plus, it’s adjusted in five positions and has an accuracy of ±5 seconds per day. It also has 44 hours of power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. While these accuracy specs are likely good enough for most folks, a COSC version is available for an extra CHF 496. I don’t know about you, but I’d be happy with the normal offering.
Wildly endearing
Perhaps the OW C-1000 Y looks like a relatively normal dive watch, but I loved wearing it. The supplied single-piece black nylon strap was comfortable and well made. In fact, it’s produced in the UK by the same firm that supplies straps to the RAF. A yellow version is available, as are a stainless steel mesh bracelet and a black rubber strap. I liked the nylon, but it’s nice to know that the lugs, with their 20mm spacing, can handle a massive array of options.
There were several attributes I thoroughly enjoyed about the watch. With ample lume, the dial is highly legible in the dark. I also kept looking at the bubble-like crystal and how different it is from anything that I own. Frankly, I don’t encounter new aesthetic characteristics like this often, especially on a tool-like diver. Finally, the 12-hour bezel insert is nicely designed, including a 20-minute diving scale.
What would I change about the OW C-1000 Y?
I think there are probably a couple of things that I’d change about the OW C-1000 Y, but these have more to do with the package than the watch itself. The nylon strap is standard, but for the price, I think the brand should also consider including a rubber strap. There’s nothing wrong with nylon, but I think people will actively swap straps to something more tangible depending on the situation. Then, there’s the mesh bracelet. It’s neat with a pin-buckle closure, but I think Ollech & Wajs could design a nice beads-of-rice style bracelet. If smaller microbrands can offer great, affordable bracelets, then it should be possible here. Regarding the watch itself, I can’t think of anything I’d change.
Pricing and availability
The OW C-1000 Y is available now on the brand’s website and has a four-week delivery time. The price of CHF 1,896 includes the black nylon strap, a three-year warranty, free global shipping, and coverage of all taxes and duties. Buyers can add a rubber strap to the package for an extra CHF 136, and the bracelet costs CHF 186. After wearing this watch nonstop for over two weeks, it feels like quality and is worthy of consideration for that price. Am I qualified to make that statement? Well, let’s just say that I’m actively considering adding one to my collection.
