Oscar Vazquez from Swiss watch manufacturer Ovel contacted me via Twitter to see if I’d be interested in introducing you to the ‘philosophy’ of Ovel, alongside some details on a couple of their models.

“Of course”, says I, being an obliging sort of fellow :-)

Pictured are Ovel’s Tornado and Grand Prix watches, but let me start by allowing Oscar to elucidate the Ovel philosophy:

“Switzerland is renowned globally for its natural beauty and great industry.

It is therefore no surprise that accurate timepieces, manufactured by Ovel in Delémont, Switzerland have been highly successful.

Providing eccentric timepieces with the use of fine materials and unsurpassable craftsmanship has allowed the company to carry on the Swiss tradition of excellence and elegance.

Accurate Swiss Watches are made available at affordable prices to suit all personalities’ styles. Ovel has built a reputation by providing affordable timepieces with the finest available materials and simply does not plan on stopping now.

Combining craftsmanship and superb quality with an elegant design is at the core of the Ovel philosophy.”

Thank you Oscar.

I believe Ovel use the Valjoux 7750 in their pieces (the specs don’t specify).

I’ll let you be the judge as to how ‘eccentric’ Ovel are.  Nice watches, but in the grand scheme of eccentricity I dare say they’re at the more ‘normal’ end of the scale :-)

Here’s some specifications for you.

Technical Specifications

Grand Prix

Mechanical chronograph movement 25 Jewels
Self-winding
44-hour power reserve when fully wound
Date and day display
Small hacking seconds
Mechanical external rotating bezel
Luminescent elements on hands, dial and external rotating bezel
Screw-in crown
Sapphire glass, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant 100 m
Case height 15 mm
Diameter 44 mm
Transparent sapphire crystal screw caseback

Tornado

Mechanical chronograph movement 25 Jewels
Self-winding
44-hour power reserve when fully wound
Date and day display
Small hacking seconds
Mechanical external rotating bezel
Luminescent elements.
Sapphire glass, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant 100 m
Case height 15 mm
Diameter 42 mm
Transparent sapphire crystal screw caseback