1970s Ollech & Wajs Valjoux 72 Chronograph Blue 37.5mm

There’s a certain honesty to vintage chronographs built around the Valjoux 72, and this 1970s Ollech & Wajs is a great example of that no-nonsense charm. It’s a watch that feels purpose-built, with a real focus on function, yet still manages to carry plenty of personality. The standout here is undoubtedly the original blue dial, which has aged beautifully into a subtle purple hue over time. It gives the watch a completely different presence in the metal—softer, more characterful, and completely unique to this example. The pops of colour from the subdials and that lollipop chronograph seconds hand bring just the right amount of contrast without overcomplicating the design. Housed in a compact 37.5mm case with strong proportions and a solid wrist presence, it wears like a proper tool watch should. Inside, the Valjoux 72 needs little introduction—one of the most respected manual-wind chronograph movements of its era, and rightly so. For me, this is exactly what vintage chronographs are about: honest design, a legendary movement, and a dial that tells its own story over time. A piece with real presence, and an easy one to appreciate in the Vault.