Ollech & Wajs C-1000 Y Watch Review

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Ollech & Wajs C-1000 Y

Last year, Ollech & Wajs released their 60th Anniversary model, the C-1000 A. That watch brought back an iconic case and dial design from 1964, the first watch to be certified for 1000m of water resistance. The OW/Jenny Caribbean was a big deal, and it was great to see that watch reproduced with modern technology and to showcase OW’s roots. That model was limited and has since sold out, so now they have released the Ollech and Wajs C-1000 Y- the same 1000m dive watch, but now with a beautiful yellow/gold color dial.

It still retains the domed sapphire and vintage-style bezel insert, as well as the vampire lugs and large screw down crown. Pricing starts at $2300 for the standard version, or you can upgrade to a COSC-certified version for $700 more. I was sent a standard model along with an OW Expedition rubber strap, and despite a price increase, I still love this throwback tool diver.

Specifications

39.5mm Stainless Steel Case
20mm Lug Width
45.7mm Lug to Lug
15.8mm Thick
98.7 grams
Screw Down Crown
Screw Down Case Back
Domed Sapphire Crystal
1000m Water Resistance
Soprod Newton Precision P092 Movement
Black RAF Strap

MSRP $2,362

https://ow-watch.com/collections/ollech-wajs-watches/products/ow-c-1000-y

When I reviewed the original Anniversary model last year, I was enamored with the retro case design and overall look and feel of the watch. This was not the same C-1000 I reviewed before with the long case length and lugs; no, this one was very different. The domed sapphire, the short lug-to-lug, and the lugs themselves, dubbed the vampire lugs by enthusiasts on the original Caribbean model, were all there. Now OW has put out another version, I version that I do not believe is limited, at least it doesn’t have an LE number on the case back, but it could be limited production. Either way, the Ollech & Wajs C-1000 Y has everything the black Annierry model did, but now it has an amazing yellow dial.

So is the plan to continue this case design and release different colors? That I can’t answer, but with the Anniversary model being limited and sold out, I would hope they continue with this model, and maybe release not only new dial colors, but maybe a new dial setup along the way.

But until then, if you missed out, the Ollech & Wajs C-1000 Y is no slouch; matter of fact, I think I like this yellow dial version even more. I know, it’s just a simple dial change, and there was nothing wrong with the black dial and brushed steel hands and indices, but there is something about this dial color, and maybe more importantly, the dial texture.

The color of the yellow dial on the Ollech & Wajs C-1000 Y is unique. This is not a taxi cab yellow or a lemon yellow, no, it’s more of a goldish yellow, which makes sense, as that was the color of the Cadmium yellow RAF strap that came with the black dial variant, which you can order as an extra strap with this version, if you don’t mind yellow on yellow.

The combination of this goldish yellow color, combined with the all matte black hands and indices, along with black lume markers, really makes this watch stand out even more, and the texture, boy, do I love the texture. It looks like it is a yellow paint, but it has an eggshell texture when you get up close, and I love every part of it. The dial layout is the same as the A version, including the 6 o’clock date window.

The all-satin brushed case is unchanged. There is still not a hint of high-polished steel anywhere to be found, and while overall it’s still a thick case at over 15mm, the mid case is pretty thin, and ends with those pointed lugs, which still have quick-change drilled holes.

The crystal is still a massive domed sapphire, and though it will cause reflection, I feel it’s less noticeable on this yellow dial model, due to the color and dial texture. While these days I would prefer a slight dome or flat crystal, this is a 1000m dive watch after all, and OW was paying as much homage to the original design as possible.

The bezel of the Ollech & Wajs C-1000 Y is still that fine coin edge, so easy to grip and rotate, and the same with that massive crown, a signature of OW. If you were to get the COSC version, there would be a COSC emblem and a Swiss Flag on the crown instead dot the OW logo.

The bezel insert is still mineral, though, an odd choice, and one I groaned about last year, as it’s one of the only things I wish they would change on these retro C-1000 models. As I said earlier this year, the bezel insert is small and sits beneath that large domed sapphire, so it probably won’t get scratched up, but at $2300, I think they could have used sapphire for the insert.

The Ollech & Wajs C-1000 Y comes standard with a black nylon RAF strap, this time with a metal buckle and two metal keepers, and I wish they used the large nylon keeper from the cadmium yellow strap. Actually, I wish they used the exact keeper, in the yellow color, as that would have been a nice touch to tie into the dial color.

3 other straps are available at an extra cost: a mesh strap, an Expedition rubber, and the yellow Cadmium RAF. I had OW send the Expedition rubber, a natural, non-toxic rubber, that is stamped with a ruler in inches and cm on one side and Morse code alphabet on the reverse, and the same metal buckle and keepers as the RAF strap. This rubber strap measures in at 150mm by 80mm, not including the buckle.

The Expedion rubber is long, so it can be worn over a wet suit or special cold jackets and uniforms, and as such, may be too long for some to wear regularly. The strap end is also angle cut, and that’s fine, but on this particular one, it looks a little sloppy. At $170, I would personally forgo this strap and pick up an FKM rubber in 20mm, but I understand that for some, they want an OEM strap, and I will say it is comfortable on my wrist, though the tail is right on the edge of being too long for my 7 1/2 inch or 19.05cm wrist.

Like the A model, the Ollech and Wajs C-1000 Y has all the indices and markers lumed, and this time there is black lume paint used, which, as many know, is the weakest lume, yet I found the lume to be more than sufficient in the dark, and was rather surprised how well the black lume lights up. It will be the first to fade, but I never had an issue seeing the time in the dark on this example.

I fell in love with the Ollech & Wajs C-1000 A, and this C-1000 Y is pulling on my heartstrings just as much, if not more. I make no bones about it that I love this case design and dial layout, and while this is a rugged tool-style watch, I do enjoy wearing it, even though I have never gone diving a day in my life. It’s a casual watch for sure if you aren’t going to take it diving, but this is a fun watch to wear, even if a little on the chunky side.

I wish Ollech would come out with a bracelet for this model. Hopefully, one is in the works, or at the very least, make end links for their upgraded BOR bracelet to fit this model. In the meantime, I am sure this would look good on any 20mm strap, even a nice leather or canvas, and whatever you choose to put it on, I think the yellow/gold dial is the star here, and at least for me, makes me smile every time I pick it up.

Ollech & Wajs