Some watches you just fall in love with, and I would say that is the case with this Ollech & Wajs Coupe Des Alpes. Full transparency, I’m generally not a chronograph guy, nor am I into motorsports racing, yet I can’t help but just stare at this new and limited version of the O&W Rallychron. This latest edition commemorates the Coupe Des Alpes event, and Ollech partnered with Rallystory, a heritage motorsports events organisation, when they introduced the standard Rallychron in 2023. This one honors the iconic event, and it does so with some special colors, with the grey dial with black subdials, and the Alpine blue accents. It is powered by the Valjoux 7753 Automatic movement, is 300m Water Resistant, comes with two straps, and is priced currently at $3 072. It is limited to 56 pieces per year.
Specifications
39.5mm Stainless Steel Case15.3mm thick48mm Lug to Lug20mm Lug Width104 Grams on Strap161 Grams on BraceletValjoux 7753 Automatic MovementFlat AR SapphireScrew Down CrownOne Piece Nylon StrapHeritage Mesh StrapLimited to 56 Pieces/YearCurrent Price $3,072
Ollech has limited this piece as it originally was only made for people involved in the event or in the local market, but once collectors saw this piece on social media, they realized there was more interest than they thought there would be, and now they should be making 56 pieces per year, or for as long as there is enough interest. And in my opinion, I can’t see why there wouldn’t be interest. No, this is not a cheap watch at $3,000, but it is a Swiss-made chronograph with a Valjoux 7753, and let’s face it, if you are looking for an automatic chronograph with this movement or similar, this is the ballpark you are in these days.
The case of the Ollech & Wajs Coupe Des Alpes is similar to other models from OW, though know this is not the Skindiver case, and it’s also lacking drilled lugs. I have always enjoyed their cases, yet my one nitpick was that I yearn for a larger case. While this is still 39.5mm, the somewhat thinner bezel, the flat sapphire, and the chronograph crowns all combine to make this watch feel larger and wear more like a 41mm piece overall, and that is something I appreciate. I also love that this entire case, minus that DLC bezel, is completely satin brushed. This is a rarity with a lot of manufacturers; generally, you will see at least some chamfers of high polish on the case sides, or on the crown, etc, but that is not the case here, and I am all for it.
The case is somewhat thick at 15.3mm, but not when you take into account that it houses an automatic chronograph movement and is also 300m water resistant. The mid case is relatively thin, but the bezel is fairly thick at around 4.6 to 5mm (it was hard to measure exactly with calipers), and it’s probably the thickest bezel I have seen on an Ollech & Wajs model. The bezel is all DLC coated, and it’s marked with a tachymeter and lap times, and those lap times apparently can be considered controversial. You can read more about this on the Ollech website, but these are hypothesized perfect lap times, and there were many factors in coming to these lap times of the event that are printed on the bezel. Because of the thickness, the bi-directional bezel is very easy to grip and turn.
The dial setup is pretty straightforward for a Valjoux 7753. It’s a 3-eye chronograph, with the running seconds at 9, 30 minutes at 3, and a 12-hour subdial at 6. Also located in that 6 o’clock subdial is the date window, and while it’s not small, it does blend in with the subdial as it’s white on black, and it could stand out more if they reversed that. I’m not sure what exact shade of grey to refer to this as, but I will state it is much lighter in person than it is on the O&W website, where it is shown to be more of a dark grey.
I still like this grey dial though, and it has a slight texture to it when you get really up close, and it’s contrasted but the radial sunray pattern on the subdials. The steel hands are brushed with black and white squares, which reminds me of a ladder in a way, but I can also see the rally inspiration. Topping it all off are the Alpine blue accents, which were the color of the completion rally plaque. The top of the dial is signed Coupes Des Alpes in that signature Alpine blue.
The chronograph pushers do not screw down, yet this watch retains its 300m of water resistance and the time crown, large at just about 7mm, much like other Ollech & Wajs watches, which is not only a signature of the brand but one of my favorite aspects of their watches. On the opposite side of the case, you will find a button located at the 10 o’clock position, and if you are not familiar, this is to set the date. When the crown is pulled out to the time setting position, you can either use your finger (though I find it difficult to do with my fingers) or use a little tool wrapped in some tape, a pen, or even a toothpick, and you can advance the date. Just make sure not to do it in the off hours. (9 pm to 3 am). The caseback is relatively flat and simply engraved, which is good for the one-piece nylon strap.
Speaking of the nylon strap, the Ollech & Wajs Coupe Des Alpes Rallychron does come with two straps. Mine was shipped on the Alpine Blue and white nylon nato style strap, and I really do like these straps, even though I tend not to be a nato style or pass-through strap fan. These feel good to me, though, not too soft nor too stiff, and I like that they have a standard buckle for the closure, and I do appreciate that large one-piece keeper, though I do find these on the short side as I’m in the second hole on my 7 1/2 inch or 19.05cm wrist.
Unfortunately, I did not have a great experience with the M Heritage Mesh strap. I call it a strap, as even though it is metal, it has holes and a standard buckle, and attaches like you would a leather or rubber strap. That makes things a bit difficult as the mesh doesn’t have the flexibitly of the aforementioned straps, and both sliding the buckle on is finicky for lack of a better word, and it seems to catch in the little grooves and removing the strap is a bit of a pain as well, as to get that prong out, you really need to push that buckle back, and again, it can be tricky and slightly annoying at times. It does look good, though, and comes with two metal keepers, but again, it is a little on the short side.
Lastly, we have the lume of the Ollech & Wajs Coupe Des Alpes, and I must admit, it’s much better than I expected it to be. All the markers are lumed, and there’s even some color contrast as the chronograph arrow hand is lumed in blue as opposed to the green on the rest of the dial. I’m not 100% sure, but the black on the hands might be lumed as well, but black lume is never that bright, so it’s hard to tell if it’s lumed or if I’m just seeing the glow off the other areas.
The Ollech & Wajs Coupe Des Alpes Rallychron is one of those rare watches that surprised me. Not in quality or general value, as I have always found O&W watches to be well-made and fairly priced, but I am shocked by how much I like this piece. On paper, this is not a watch I would appreciate too, but in person, I love the case, the finishing, the overall size, and of course, that Alpine blue, which I guess, as in my old age, I am starting to be really fond of bright colors. It all just works for me, and it’s one of the reasons that when it comes to watches, I try not to rule anything out, as you never know what will surprise you. This is a beautiful watch to me, and hopefully Ollech will continue to make 56 per year, which is a very small quantity, but I think it’s nice when a brand keeps a few models niche. It means this is something special and you’ll have something that even in a few years, fewer than three hundred people will have, and others will envy.
I've been an avid watch lover since the age of 7. Watches are not only my hobby but a passion. My favorite style used to be dive watches, but field or non bezel watches have been growing on me. When I'm not reviewing watches I am either cooking or with family and friends.
