Ever since seeing another gentleman of the watch world, Ochs und Junior, I have always been intrigued. I like simple watches, mostly three handers so when I saw how the date was displayed, I knew that to me it was a special watch. No logo, no numbers, no written text anywhere to be found on Ochs und Junior watches. They even leave the machine marks on the case and buckles. So I know what you’re thinking, Why would you buy a watch that has had zero finishing on it and not to mention the price???? My answer is, because it’s different. I always give credit to people in today’s world that do things a little differently in a world where most things we do and own are exactly the same or very closely matched to everyone else.

The case, mine coming in at 42mm with a lug to lug of 42mm. While the lugs are definitely stubby (and I am a huge lug man), they are tastefully done and for whatever reason, it suits the watch and the over all aesthetic. Made out of grade-5 titanium with a titanium buckle. You can also choose from over 80 different strap colours and materials (cordura, rubber & leather) but be warned, there are three buckles, none of which work with the other material and they are on the expensive side.

The dial is simple and can come in many different colours or textures, the thing about Ochs und Junior is that you can build the watch just the way you like it including the hands and date disc. Again, another plus from me about being able to customise. So, when you start to think about it, it looks like nothing else around, and you can make it the way you want it. All this has a cost though, but then again, how much do you pay for individualism?

To read the date there are 31 holes around the dial that indicate 31 days in the month. Each marker at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 give 5-day intervals so if the date dot is one dot left of the 6 o’clock marker, you go 5, 10, 15 + 1 = the 16th. Trust me, once you have it for 5 mins you no longer need the calculations. Powered by an ETA 2824-2 and I will not bore you with the specs, but the plus is that it can be serviced anywhere, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

The crown is really my only real gripe with the watch. It is quite sharp and digs into your wrist. I simply had a high quality and well-known watchmaker file it down and smooth it out for me and it instantly made the watch more comfortable and I no longer notice the crown at all. Ochs umior Junior will also do this for you from the factory if you wish or they also offer the watch in a LHD version and then the problem is non-existent.

This watch is not for everyone! If you are a bit quirky and want to find something unique that you won’t see around too often, give it a go. It’s the watch I put on when I am feeling rebellious and don’t want to conform for the day.