Ochs Und Junior – “day-night“ Astronomical Concept Watch - 2018
LUCERNE, Switzerland — ochs und junior, the small watch company from Lucerne, introduces “day/night”, a new model with a function never before seen in a wristwatch. ochs und junior manufactures watches based on the inventions and ideas of the brilliant watchmaker and scientist Dr. Ludwig Oechslin.
The term “watchmaker” is too narrow when it comes to Professor Oechslin: he is a historian, an astronomer, and a doctor of theoretical physics, and he is known as one of the most brilliant watchmakers today. His unique specialty is the radical simplification of complex functions, both in terms of mechanics and of highly intuitive readability.
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In his career which spans over 40 years, Dr. Oechslin has invented and developed the basis for countless revolutionary watch mechanisms. He achieved worldwide recognition with his Trilogy of Time, developed for Ulysse Nardin, with its sophisticated astronomical displays reduced all the way down to the size of a wristwatch. Additional “game changers” like the Freak or Ulysse Nardin’s Perpetual Calendar, are also the result of Oechslin’s work. Decades of studying astronomy, the laws of planetary motion, and micromechanics are the foundation of his unique mechanical solutions.
Two years ago, ochs und junior’s perpetual calendar created a stir among experts, because it requires only 12 custom-designed parts for such a complex function, contrasting starkly with the up to 180 and more parts some competitors’ creations need. The uniquely smart functional parts designed by Oechslin also make it easier to manufacture the watch and render setting it almost foolproof.
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How long till sunrise? Is there enough daylight left for a little bike ride this evening? Where in the sky is the moon? The “day/night” answers all of these questions. The watch is yet another result of Oechslin’s intensive research. Besides displaying the time, the date, and the moon phase, it also shows at what time the sun will rise and set, plus the current positions of the sun and the moon. It shows all of this in an extremely simple manner that makes it intuitively readable and easy to set. ”Innovation is not just a hollow phrase to us, but the basis of our work,” explains CEO Beat Weinmann.
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The exclusive manufacturer’s caliber UN-320 from Ulysse Nardin, with whom ochs und junior maintains a collaborative relationship, serves as the base movement. The entire mechanism is executed with just 13 additional parts.
An exact, localized day/night display
The sun and the moon move in a median time. This latter differs from the time zone time depending on one’s position. Sunrise and sunset will occur at different times in the same time zone.
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Simply put, the day/night difference is the more pronounced the further one moves away from the equator in geographic latitude. Using the button near the 6 o’clock marker, “true noon”, which depends on one’s longitude, can be set very simply. The same function is used to switch from daylight savings to standard time and back.
“Off the shelf” was yesterday’s solution
Like all watch models in the collection of this small manufacturer from Lucerne that calls itself – a little immodestly perhaps, but not without good reason – “the world’s most modern watch company”, the “day/night” allows customers to configure countless details for themselves. ”There are hardly two watches that leave our workrooms exactly the same,” says Weinmann.
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The foundation for this customization process is a clever online configurator unmatched in the industry. “Thanks to our proximity to our suppliers and our longstanding close collaboration with them, we can execute almost all requests that our customers approach us with,” Weinmann adds. If the requested configurations are a little too extreme, however, he discusses these choices directly with the customer and tries to prevent combinations that might be disadvantageous.
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Since the lengths of day and night vary according to one’s position, the watch is manufactured specifically to the geographical latitude requested by the customer. This “position individualization” can be changed, should its wearer shift the center of their life, for example by moving from Helsinki to sunny California, by exchanging one single (!) adjusted gearwheel – a fact that illustrates how uniquely deliberate the mechanism is designed.
No middlemen
ochs und junior has no distributors’ network; all sales are made directly to the customer, mostly via order on the website. ”The retail trade unfortunately often lacks the competence to properly address customers’ needs. A radical product like our watches in particular requires a lot of knowhow to offer customers consultation of the quality and depth that we strive for.”
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The Lucerne company consciously accepts the consequences of that philosophy which renders it highly unlikely that they will become a big, global watch manufacturer. ”Yet we have customers from all over the world. Through extensive, straightforward and honest dialogue with them we earn their trust so that they can acquire a watch from us without having seen it on their own wrist,” Weinmann says, explaining the success of that unusual and courageous strategy.
The “day/night” can be customized on ochs und junior’s website starting on July 25th, 2018. Prices begin at CHF 14’850 (excluding Swiss VAT).
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Overview
How long until sunrise? Is there enough daylight left for a little bike ride this evening? Where in the sky is the moon? The newest astronomical function by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin answers all of these questions. With day/night strapped to your wrist, the following information is available to you at a quick glance:
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Length of day and nighttime for the location of your choice. This adjusts dynamically!
- Solar noon
- Sunrise and sunset
- The position of the sun and moon in the sky
- The moon phase, date and time.
Personalize your location and design
Your day/night watch will have a custom-made part which syncs it to your chosen location. Should you decide to change your place of residence in the future, we can easily install a new part to adapt the location for you. Each day/night watch is sold directly by cofounder Beat Weinmann from the ochs und junior workshop in Lucerne.
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You can select your day/night from models designed by ochs und junior in our online store. Or you can design your personal day/night using our customizer. With pleasure, Weinmann will guide you to your perfect watch on the phone, over email, or in person.
Cofounder introduction
In the video above, cofounder Beat Weinmann introduces you to Ludwig Oechslin’s newest astronomical watch. It would be Weinmann’s pleasure to personally answer your questions about day/night .
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Solar noon
Using the pusher at 6 o’clock, solar noon (when the sun is at its highest point in the sky) can be set for your location.
Date
The date indication at 6 o’clock is used to set the watch. The reason this watch does not feature a date spiral is that the dial holds gear wheels near the perimeter, as can be seen in the image below.
Sun and moon position
When facing south, the position of the sun and the moon on the dial indicates the direction in which you will find these heavenly bodies in the sky.
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Mechanics
The following parts were designed by Ludwig Oechslin specifically for day/night. They are manufactured in Switzerland by Helfenstein Mechanik AG and, like all ochs und junior parts, are backed by a lifetime warranty.
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- Hour wheel on hour pinion with friction
- Transition wheel 1 for moon and sun cogwheels
- Transition wheel 2 for moon and sun cogwheels
- Sun cogwheel
- Moon cogwheel
- Date disc
- Gear wheel between date disc and annual wheel
- Year wheel with crank pin in the size of the deflection of the horizon fans
- Carriage with cogs to move the horizon fans
- Horizon fan
- Horizon fan
- Module board
- Dial
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The base movement for day/night is the Ulysse Nardin UN-320. Technical information is available from Ludwig Oechslin.
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Further information
Base movement
Caliber 11½" Ulysse Nardin UN-320 with a power reserve of 50 hours.
Hand-regulated by ochs und junior to 0/+5 seconds per day.
Manufacturer: Ulysse Nardin SA / Le Locle / Switzerland.
Diameter 25.60 mm, thickness 3.60 mm.
Silicium hairspring and anchor escapement
High-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour)
Jewels: 39 jewels
Power reserve: Approximately 48 hours
Winding: Self-winding
Swiss made
The ochs und junior day/night watch is manufactured entirely in Switzerland. The gear systems, dials, hands, cases, buckles, and crowns are made by the Helfenstein Mechanik AG in Alpnach / Switzerland. The base movement Ulysse Nardin UN-320 is produced in Le Locle / Switzerland. Each watch is hand-assembled and regulated at the ochs und junior workshop in Lucerne / Switzerland.
Dimensions
40mm x 11mm (incl. crystal); also available in 43mm upon request.
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Weight
- 61g in titanium (incl. leather strap and buckle)
- 90g in sterling silver 925 (incl. leather strap and buckle)
Case
2-part case designed by Ludwig Oechslin.
Available in grade 5 titanium or sterling silver 925; additional materials upon request.
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Available exclusively with a solid case back.
Manufacturer: Helfenstein Mechanik AG / Alpnach / Switzerland.
Crown
Screw-down crown designed by Ludwig Oechslin in grade 5 titanium or sterling silver 925. Manufacturers: Pibor SA / Glovelier / Switzerland and Helfenstein Mechanik AG / Alpnach / Switzerland.
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Sapphire 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.
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Water resistance
50m in titanium, 30m in sterling silver 925.
Both models are fit for almost any situation in daily life.
For swimming, we recommend titanium.
Watch straps
We offer over 80 possibilities,
which you can explore in our straps pages: sturgeon, leather, suede, rubber.
Buckle
Designed by Ludwig Oechslin for 22mm watch straps with no loops.
Visible machining marks.
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Grade 5 titanium or sterling silver 925, additional materials upon request.
Manufacturer: Helfenstein Mechanik AG / Alpnach / Switzerland.
Reading the time in the dark
To assure optimal readability of the time in the dark, we use Super-LumiNova X1. This coating is manufactured by RC TRITEC in Teufen / Switzerland. In principle, all Pantone colors can be made. Super-LumiNova is always applied in conjunction with a color pigment. The brighter the color, the better the luminosity. In the dark, 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.
Lifetime warranty
A lifetime warranty covers all parts invented by Ludwig 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 day/night store are designed by ochs und junior.
Custom-made
Ludwig Oechslin’s rigorously simple designs, the fact that we individually manufacture our parts, and the direct relationship we have with our clients enable us to offer the highest possible degree of customization. The customizer shows many possibilities. We are also happy to discuss ideas which are not in the customizer with you. Please contact cofounder Beat Weinmann for a personal consultation.
Price
Case Grade 5 titanium — CHF 16'000 — Incl. 7.7% VAT.
Case PVD — CHF 16'000 — Incl. 7.7% VAT.
Case Sterling silver 925 — CHF 18'000 — Incl. 7.7% VAT.
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Press release - 2018
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Contact information
Beat Weinmann
beat@ochsundjunior.swiss
Tel. +41 (0)41 266 02 12
Address
ochs und junior AG
Zürichstrasse 49
CH-6004 Lucerne
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