The focus of the collection is on astronomical complications and calendar displays, including perpetual and annual calendars. In contrast to the classic watch industry, the main emphasis is not on creating complicated solutions, but rather on keeping the solutions as simple as possible. As an example, Ochs und junior AG's moon phase display is accurate to 3478.27 years – making it one of the most accurate moon phase displays in the world. This is achieved using an epicyclic gear trainconsisting of only five components, including the dial. Build on basic movements bought in from Swiss watch companiesETA or Ulysse Nardin, the final products are created by adding specially-developed modules. All other components, such as caseings and straps, are also designed in-house. Although Ochs und junior AG handle the research, development and construction design themselves, the individual components used are manufactured by highly-specialized external subcontractors – with full transparency. The watches are assembled by Ochs und junior AG's own watchmakers in their workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, which also serves as a salesroom.
Design
The watches are designed strictly according to their function. For example, the dials themselves form an integral part of the movement construction. Due to this design philosophy and the high-precision manufacturing process involved, no further finishing, such as polishing the casing, is carried out. Each watch can be individually designed by the customer via a configurator on the company's website. – making every watch unique. In general, neither special lettering nor the company logo are used. The only exception is the embossing of the logo on the inside of the leather straps.
Company size and sales channels
With currently sales of approximately 130 watches per year, Ochs und junior AG is a niche manufacturer. The products are sold exclusively through the company's headquarters in La Chaux-de-Fonds – both on site or via the Internet. Beat Weinmann, CEO and co-founder for many years, who represented the interface between production, planning, communication, sales and service, left the company at the end of November 2019. In March 2020 ochs und junior moved to La Chaux-de-Fonds and announced Marc Bernhardt as the new managing director.
Pricing
Depending on the model and configuration concerned, sales prices range between approx. CHF 6,000 and CHF 21,600 – and can be even higher, if special requests are accommodated. This puts Ochs und Junior AG watches in the upper price range of the luxury watchmarket segment.
