Taking the 8001 as it is, instead of what it could be, though, reveals what is surely a very capable sports watch in line with the type that Ollech & Wajs have been consistently releasing over the last 4 years or so. The 8001 has a case that measures 39.5mm wide and 12.5mm tall, and is brushed all around to reinforce the tool watch vibes the brand is going for. Notably, the bezel you see here is fixed, so what at first looks like a solid pizza and laundry timer is really something else entirely. The watch runs on the Soprod Newton Precision P092, and the movement has been COSC certified (this is the first time a modern Ollech & Wajs has been COSC certified).
The 8001 is a confusing release. On the one hand, it appears to be a rock solid sports watch that won’t let down the great reputation the brand has built over a few short years since their relaunch. On the other hand, by calling attention to a watch in their back catalog and linking it to this release when so many key ingredients are effectively missing, the brand appears to be inviting comparisons that don’t work out in the favor of the contemporary watch. This is a constant conundrum for brands that lean on their heritage, and every brand (and sometimes every new release) handles this balancing act a little differently. For now, we look forward to hopefully getting an opportunity to handle the 8001, so that it can be evaluated on its own terms.
The 8001 will be available later this summer at a retail price of CHF 1,856. Ollech & Wajs