A watch custom built by Ollech & Wajs for elite French helicopter pilots is to go on sale to the public for the first time.
The C-1000 FAGN was originally built for the National Gendarmerie Air Force.
It has been reissued for general release with a a Soprod-based automatic movement with a 44-hour power reserve.
The closed caseback carries the insignia of the Gendarmerie Air Force.
It comes in a 39.5mm stainless steel case that is water-resistant to a no-nonsense 3300 feet.
Ollech & Wajs began life as a watch shop in Zurich in the 1950s.
In the 1960s, the brand made its name with the OW Caribbean 1000 Precision, which itself had 1000m water-resistance – an even more incredible achievement with the technology of the day.
The company went on to deliver thousands of watches to US soldiers in Vietnam and now specialises in pieces of military origin.
The new watch is available on either a heritage beads-of-rice style steel bracelet, or a fabric strap.
Prices for the Ollech & Wajs C-1000 FAGN start at $2,146.