Independents
Alex83 shares his unexpected discovery and subsequent deep connection with Ochs & Junior in Luzern, a brand that embodies a unique philosophy of design, complication, and client relationship. His post highlights the brand's unconventional approach to marketing and sales, focusing on direct engagement and a 'friends' network rather than traditional advertising.
Last
January a great post from our friend and moderator Magnus made me discover Ochs
& Junior in Luzern –where I had just moved with my family.
Well, truth to be told the first who discovered the “ochsloft” –the O&J’s unbranded atelier and show room- was my wife as she used to pass in front every day when walking with the kids; she mentioned several times that she had seen people working on watches…but I could not imagine there was such a cool place just 5 minutes away from us!
Since then
it has kind of become my “second home”, I pop-up there from time to time when
passing by just to say hi, have an espresso and talk a bit with their team who
always welcomes you with a smile and are happy to talk to a watch nerd like me
O&J seem to offer everything I look for in a watch brand nowadays; a design unique and attractive, singular complications smart and useful, and strong brand philosophy.
Their culture has particularly seduced me; in a world of extreme marketing and publicity flooding, O&J has opted for not paying for advertisement, keeping the dials of their watches clean of any brand name and avoiding the noise of the watch fairs. Instead they prefer to grow a small and solid clientele whom they like to call friends and somehow share their vision of the world.
Quite some details
have marked me, to name a few, their shop-atelier has not name –you can
actually pass in front without noticing them –except if you are my wife . They
do not provide papers with the watches –they rather have you on record and so
they know to whom has each watch been sold-, and each watch has a
life-guarantee.
Needless to say that I was sold since my first visit, ordering a surprise-watch for my wife and another for myself. I was looking for something to symbolize our arrival to Switzerland and commencing of our new and exciting family life abroad.
5 months later, looking at the results, I think it was a perfect idea! My choice was their moonphase “Nebra” model, which is for me one of their most distinctive and picturesque creations.
In my mind it perfectly symbolizes what Ochs&Junior is about: smart, fun and simple complications, with a refreshing, young and unpretentious allure.
Well, you’ll be the judges to that.
Cheers,
Alex
and a great story. Are the engravings on the back standard or is that personal to you? Enjoy the work and friendship of your neighborhood watchmaker!
Yes, I did request the engraving; wanted something to symbolize my year in Luzern, think this is perfect to keep good memories.
Very nice watches Alex... well done to your wife for noticing the ochs und junior shop! jporos - the case is usually blank, and the only 'branding' of any kind is a brand on the leather strap (not on the sturgeon as it doesn't take well to a branding iron apparently...). I had my case back milled with a finish I saw on a prototype photo on t'internet - it's so fine it cannot be felt by touch but looks like this:-
I had one specially made for me in Bronze also (on their honoured page). And I have again 2 VERY special ones in production..... Have fun with them!!
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