Independents

ochs und junior , the Lucerne-based boutique watchmaker founded on Ludwig Oechslin's concept of radical simplification , has created some of the most fascinating timepieces in watchmaking, at least if one is interested in the intellectual complication whi...  

and really great to see ateliers like this pushing the boundaries and creating interesting and new things. I have followed them for a while but never pushed the button yet... I am sure I will at some stage. Cheers Andrew

Thanks for the great post, just adore every time I get to read more about this brand. It is definitely on my 'purchase list'! Thanks again for letting us peer into this great brand! S

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Having visited with Beat and Cail almost 2 years ago in the Lucern, your report brought back many fond memories of our visit. Your pictures do a brilliant job of revealing many aspects of their fantastic work. Bravo! Cheers, Tim

Specially as I definitely moved to Luzern 4 days ago for work (bye-bye Spain) and I have not offered myself any present for christmas! I will be visiting them shortly, for sure! Didn't know they were in Luzern. Best, Alejandro

One of those fairytale small cities. The views of mount Pilatus are awesome, am already checking for the best photography spots. Big change for me, being used to "hostile" countries like DRCongo and so on...there's electricity here and I can finally wear ... 

Yes! it is a very friendly place and very secure. I can guarantee you that while in a few months you might feel it lacks in size, diversity, this gives you personal room to develop in other ways. Overall a very positive thing when you compare it to living... 

Just accepted a job nearby. Luzern looks great for family, and what a photographic environment! You will be seeing photo reports soon!

Let me know when/if you plan to visit!

Love Ochs & Junior and your coverage has done an excellent job of reminding me why. In some ways they have a related philosophy to Habring2, namely offering interesting, honest and highly personalized watches for money more than just the very few can affo... 

but in terms of concepts they occupy different niches. The former more dedicated to offer 'family-style' traditional watchmaking excellence, the latter focussed around realising theoretical intellection.

A unique design Immediately noticeable as an O&J piece I wish O&J much success and hope to own one someday Cheers, John

what seems to be my watch!!! Thanks a lot Magnus.. Just to share the finished product : Rgds, Yming ...  

When did you receive yours? Cheers, Magnus

Hopefully one day I can visit their shop.. YMing

Another shot of the completed watch.. YMing ...  

Dear Magnus, thank you for having perfectly summed up most of ochs und junior characteristics! This extraordinary watch brand is genuinely different from any other. I'd like to recap some of these strength points starting from your article. 1) It was foun... 

More info about the sturgeon strap here:- and here:- Lots of examples of different finishes and other information in the 'Thoughts' section of their website. Also worth noting the unusually clever 'special' buckle... no need for a keeper (?) as it tucks... 

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but I have mixed feelings about it. I absolutely love the idea and its practical promises, but I am not entirely happy with it. It looks neat and efficient, but if the fit is a bit tight then you'll face difficulties fastening the watch. Furthermore, in a...  

I could not have done this better (and I know that you really mean it and speak of personal affection ;-)) I would like to comment on the last three points you make: @5: 'that's something different from the obsession for decorative finishing and from the ... 

It was one of the happiest days of my collecting 'career.' Although I decided not to order a watch from Beat, the experience was as good as it gets, getting to know him, the watches, and the whole way in which they do things. I did not order a watch, ulti... 

The dial is very easy to read, even at a glance... once you're used to it ( would be an expensive mistake if you never did become comfortable with it, though!). We don't come out of our mother's womb being able to read an analogue clock face, either ;-)..... 

Magnus.... I ought to have mentioned I also was a bit confused by the date dot. Very intrigued by it, but also not sure how easy it would be to read in person... However, I kept on coming back to their rather nice web site and looking around - and I grew ...  

I enjoyed reading them and reflecting - through them - on my own preferences. Getting confronted with different ways of execution, construction, etc., and then being confronted with - literally - buying into it: even if the answer is ultimately a 'no', on...