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Curated by our friends at Analog/Shift

The Story

It’s easy to forget in today’s world of super precise digital timing and measurement, but wristwatches were important tools for decades. Whether you were on land, in the air, or at sea, timing things carefully was a necessity, and a number of purpose-built complications were designed for specific uses.

Ollech & Wajs was a company that believed in function over form, and quality over hype. They specialized in the production of high quality sport watches that were "equal to any challenge" for "men of action," including divers, pilots, and drivers. Their catalogs waxed poetic about how rugged, accurate, and easy to use O&W's timepieces were.

Like many other brands, Ollech & Wajs worked with the best suppliers of the day to make sure they had the absolute best components, but O&W separated themselves by selling direct to consumer by mail, allowing them to keep prices lower than their competitors. O&W even later purchased tooling and parts for the Breitling Navitimer and produced their own example under the "Aviation" brand name at a lower cost.

The Navitimer models were far from Ollech & Wajs' first foray into aviator's watches- over a decade earlier, they were producing this, the Selectron Computer. Featuring one of the most obscure complications out there, a Sliderule, the Selectron can act as a time-speed-distance flight computer, a navigator's stop watch, and help do advanced calculations such as converting nautical miles to statute miles (and vice versa). Just don't ask us to explain how to do any of these things.

Inside the 38mm stainless steel case is a hand-wound Valjoux 7730 chronograph movement, and a matte black dial with sword hands. The subdials are recessed and textured, adding some depth to the dial and giving it a reverse-panda look.

Ollech & Wajs set out to produce high quality, no bullshit watches that were meant to be worn and used. We think they nailed it with this one.

The Details

Maker: Ollech & Wajs

Model: Selectron Computer Aviators Chronograph

Year: Circa 1969

Material: Stainless steel

Diameter: 38mm (excluding crown)

Caliber: Valjoux cal. 7730 manual-winding movement

Bracelet/Strap: brown leather vintage-style strap

Lug width: 18mm

Overall Condition

Stainless steel case is in good condition with light, even wear from age and use but retains its crisp edges and defined bevels on the lugs. Reverse panda dial is in excellent condition, with crisp printing and even patina across the hour markers and handset. Unsigned crown and signed screw-down case back.

Guarantee

Analog/Shift stands behind the authenticity of their products in perpetuity and backs each vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase. For full information on warranty, condition and shipping, please click here.