date

How does the date function work?

Oechslin replaces the standard numbered date disk with 31 holes in the dial and a precisely calculated curved dash. The holes are arranged in a gentle spiral, with the 31st overlapping the 1st. The curved dash shows the 1st and the 31st, but not both at the same time.

Why does the 31st hole overlap the 1st hole?

The 30 equally spaced holes make the exact minute and second readable (holes are even minutes, gaps odd). Further information is available directly from Ludwig Oechslin.

What was the motivation for the design?

Oechslin would like to read the date with the same clarity as the time. After conducting experiments he realized a digital date display would have to be enormous to be as legible as analog watch hands. To be equally legible, the date would have to fill almost 2/3 of the dial. However, the first thing you would see when glancing at your watch would be the date, and the most common use case for a wristwatch is telling the time. Oechslin’s analog date spiral sets the visual hierarchy straight and is soon read as simply as the hands on a clock.

Ludwig Oechslin’s date watch displays the essentials – time and date. Its analogue date display is more readable than a digital display from the same distance. And unlike large digital displays, the date dot is not a distraction when checking the time. The “dot” is actually a precisely calculated curved dash.

Your date watch

ochs und junior manufactures about 10 date watches per year. You can select your date watch from models designed by ochs und junior in our online shop, and have your watch shipped via FedEx Overnight Priority. Or you can design your date watch using our online customizer. With pleasure, we will guide you to your perfect date watch on the phone, over email, or in person.

Dimensions

42mm x 10.4mm (incl. crystal)
39mm x 10.4mm
36mm x 10.4mm
Print 1:1 (PDF)

Weight

42mm titanium: 62g (incl. sturgeon leather strap and buckle)
39mm titanium: 54g
36mm titanium: 47g

42mm sterling silver 925: 101g
39mm sterling silver 925: 93g
36mm sterling silver 925: 86g

Water resistance

100m in titanium, 100m in sterling silver 925. Both models are fit for almost any situation in daily life.

Case

2-part case designed by Ludwig Oechslin. Available in grade 5 titanium or sterling silver 925; additional materials upon request. Visible machining marks. ochs und junior watches require no movement ring due to the extremely small manufacturing tolerances on the case. Available exclusively with a solid case back.

Base movement

ETA 2824-2 with 38 hours of power reserve. Manufacturer: ETA SA / Grenchen / Switzerland.

Crown

Screw-down crown designed by Ludwig Oechslin (39mm and 42mm). Available in grade 5 titanium or sterling silver 925 (other materials upon request), as an option located on either the right or left side of the case. Manufacturer: Pibor SA / Glovelier / Switzerland. In 36mm the crown is not screw-down, however all sizes have the same water resistance rating.

Buckle

Buckle for leather strap: Designed by Ludwig Oechslin for 22mm watch straps with no loops. Visible machining marks. Grade 5 titanium or sterling silver 925; additional materials upon request. The design of the buckle differs slightly for a 42mm and a 39mm case and matches the lugs.

Buckle for Rubber strap: Classic buckle, designed by Ludwig Oechslin. Visible machining marks. Grade 5 titanium or sterling silver 925; additional materials upon request. The design of the buckle differs slightly for a 42mm and a 39mm case and matches the lugs.

Watch straps

We offer many possibilities, which you can explore in our straps pages: sturgeon, leather, suede, rubber.

Crystal

The sapphire crystals are manufactured by Stettler in Lyss / Switzerland. Both sides are treated with anti-reflective coating by Econorm in St-Imier / Switzerland.

Reading the time in low-light or dark conditions

For optimal readability our watches are coated in Super-LumiNova X1, manufactured by RC TRITEC in Teufen / Switzerland. Super-LumiNova is always applied in conjunction with a color pigment. All Pantone colors are available, but the brighter the color, the better the luminosity. Super-LumiNova shines green (the option used by ochs und junior) or blue, on special request. The Super-LumiNova coating is applied by hand by ochs und junior, or for dials with a color application by Cador in Eimeldingen / Germany and by Monyco in La Chaux-de-Fonds / Switzerland.

Swiss made

The ochs und junior date watch is entirely manufactured in Switzerland. The case, dial, date disk, buckle, and hands are individually-manufactured. Each watch is hand- assembled and regulated at the ochs und junior workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Lifetime warranty

A lifetime warranty covers all parts invented by Oechslin, and the entire watch is covered by a 2-year guarantee. ochs und junior’s small scale and direct sales model allow it to offer uniquely fast and competent service.

Designed by ochs und junior

Watches in the date shop are designed by ochs und junior. Individually manufactured, they have the potential to become classics.

Custom-made

Ludwig Oechslin’s rigorously simple designs, the fact that we individually manufacture our parts, and the direct contact we have with our clients enable us to offer the highest possible degree of customization. The customizer offers many possibilities. We are also happy to discuss ideas with you, which are not in the customizer. Please contact us for a personal consultation.