mese 1.22
Reading the functions
The arrows next to the watch above allow you to show different dates. Reading Oechslin’s date display becomes intuitive after a short time on the wrist.
Date
The 30+1 holes around the perimeter of the dial display the date. The 10 minute markers serve as reference points. For example: the marker indicating 30 minutes also shows the 15th day of the month (30÷2=15). These 5 day markers allow for the date to be read at a glance and after a short time, you can recognize the date intuitively. This video of Oechslin explaining the date spiral for his perpetual calendar is also relevant for his date watch.
Time
The exact minute and second can be read by the ring of holes, spaced at 2-minute intervals. These perforations mark even-numbered minutes while the adjoining spaces denote odd-numbered minutes.
Mechanics
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.
Overview
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.
Further information
Dimensions
39mm x 10.4mm
Weight
39mm titanium: 54g
Water resistance
100m in titanium
Case
2-part case designed by Ludwig Oechslin with visible machining marks.
Base movement
ETA 2824-2 with 38 hours of power reserve. Manufacturer: ETA / Grenchen / Switzerland.
Crown
Screw-down crown designed by Ludwig Oechslin in grade 5 titanium. Manufacturer: Pibor SA / Glovelier / Switzerland.
Buckle and strap
Classic buckle in grade 5 titanium, designed by Ludwig Oechslin. Visible machining marks. Black Cordura-Strap in S/M/L, handmade by Sabina Brägger.
Crystal
Sapphire crystal by Stettler in Lyss/Switzerland.
Night visibility
Swiss Super-LumiNova, applied by Monyco in La Chaux-de-Fonds/Switzerland.
Swiss made
The ochs und junior date watch is entirely manufactured in Switzerland. Each watch is hand- assembled and regulated at the ochs und junior workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Warranty
The entire watch is covered by a 2-year guarantee.
Design
Ludwig Oechslin; the mese-date in black by Cajetana Oechslin, non-customizable.
Order
Order via Mail oj@ochsundjunior.ch
Order with a 50% prepayment in accordance with the ochs und junior standard guidelines:
Payment via our homepage (stripe) or via bank transfer to our bank account:
Credit Suisse
ochs und junior AG
IBAN: CH31 0483 5039 2684 4100 0
Clearing No. 4835
Swift: CRESCHZZ80A
Account No. 0463-392684-41