Introducing: The Ochs Und Junior Two Time Zones + Date

February 28, 2019

Ever since The Road To Basel, we've always referred to Ochs und Junior watches as "rigorously simple" here at HODINKEE. Now, what do we mean by that, exactly? We mean that the watches appear simple and do away with a lot of the usual pomp and circumstance that accompanies so-called luxury watchmaking these days, while still representing an extremely well-thought out approach to modern watchmaking that prioritizes functionality and customer enjoyment over frills or complication for its own sake. The brand's latest watch, the Two Time Zones + Date is yet another outstanding embodiment of this rigorously simple philosophy. This is a watch that does exactly what the name implies. It shows you the hours and minutes in two time zones at once, the date in your home timezone, running seconds, and the power reserve. The big innovation here is the new system for showing two time zones. Instead of an extra hand being added, Ochs und Junior have added a central disk marked with the 12 hours and a special hour hand that has a wedge-shaped opening.?The main hands show your home time, while the number framed in the hour hand's opening is the hour at your local time. To set this, you just put the crown into the date setting position and rotate the opposite direction to turn the time zone disc. All of this is built on a Ulysse Nardin UN-118 base movement and only 10 additional components were added to enable the date display and second time zone indicator.? The "+ Date" part of this watch comes in the form of Ochs und Junior's usual spiral-shaped date complication, which you've seen a few times before. It works just the same as it always has. There are two additional discs found on the dial, each marked with just one simple dot. The disc at 12 o'clock indicates the power reserve, pointing to the right when full and the left when empty, and the disc down at six o'clock shows the running seconds. As with all of Ochs und Junior's watches, you can customize the Two Time Zones + Date using their online tool, changing case metals, dial colors, and straps so that you get exactly the watch you want. Initial Thoughts Anyone who has read HODINKEE for any serious period of time will know that I'm a big fan of what the folks at Ochs und Junior do. Their approach to watchmaking blends a theoretical interest in timekeeping, a minimalist design philosophy, and a knowing wink that flies in the face of what traditional Swiss luxury watch brands are all about. One of the things I really like about their watches is that beyond the hour and minute hands you likely have no idea what you're looking at the first time you see one of their creations. However, from the moment you're given the secret, everything feels obvious and intuitive. The Two Time Zones + Date definitely elicited that reaction in me. Ok, from the name alone I kind of knew what was going on, but the way that open hour hand and central disc work together is something special.If I had a complaint about this new model it would be the size. I'm personally much more attracted to the 39mm versions of Ochs und Junior's watches C they just fit my wrist best and I enjoy the brand's distinctive proportions most at that size. I understand that for movement-related reasons this watch is only being made at 42mm, and I'm still looking forward to getting one on my wrist for some get-to-know-you time soon enough. The Basics Brand: Ochs und JuniorModel: Two Time Zones + DateDiameter: 42mmThickness: 12.5mmCase Material: Titanium, PVD titanium, or sterling silverDial Color: Can be customized by customerIndexes: Arabic numerals and dotsLume: Super-LumiNova X1 in any color can be requested by the customerWater Resistance: 100 metersStrap/Bracelet: Over 80 options, all come with special Ochs und Junior buckle in the same material as the case The Movement Caliber: Ulysse Nardin UN-118 Base, Modified By Ochs und JuniorFunctions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone, power reserve indicatorPower Reserve: 60 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)Jewels: 50Additional Details: Regulated to 0/+5 seconds per day by Ochs und Junior Pricing & Availability Price: CHF 8,330 (titanium case), CHF 9,200 (titanium case with PVD treatment)Availability: Immediately. Customers can either purchase stock pieces or customize their own to be made upon order.For more click here.