OW Early Bird EB-24 – The Return of a Legendary 24-Hour Watch
With the OW Early Bird EB-24, Ollech & Wajs is bringing back one of the rarest and most historic watches in the company’s history. The original was introduced back in 1965 as a tribute to the Intelsat I “Early Bird” communications satellite, the first geostationary satellite to revolutionize communications between Europe and North America. The reissue combines the historic original with modern Swiss watchmaking craftsmanship and a specially developed 24-hour automatic movement.
A Tribute to the Dawn of the Global Age
When the Early Bird satellite went into operation in 1965, it changed the world forever. For the first time, it enabled virtually delay-free commercial communication between Europe and North America and made live global broadcasts of historic events possible. Among other events, it broadcast the splashdown of Gemini 6, the Apollo 11 moon landing, and the Beatles’ worldwide live performance of “All You Need Is Love.”
Before Early Bird, the world was connected by undersea cables—afterward, by space. To this day, the satellite is considered one of the most significant technological milestones of the 20th century. Although it was decommissioned as early as 1969, it remains in orbit to this day.
Albert Wajs dedicated a watch to this extraordinary technological advancement, one that reflected the pioneering spirit of the space age.
Military Function Rather Than Space Mission
Despite its name, the original Early Bird was not developed for astronauts. It was created specifically for military users—particularly pilots and radio operators—who benefited from a true 24-hour display. The so-called “Military Time” dial shows all 24 hours of a day at a glance, making it easier to keep track of time during professional operations.
The distinctive blue-and-red bezel was visually inspired by the colors of the satellite itself. Many buyers at the time ordered the watch directly through advertisements in newspapers such as the Army Times. Since these were printed only in black and white, numerous owners were surprised by the striking two-tone bezel only when they unpacked the watch.
With fewer than 500 pieces produced, the original Early Bird is now one of Ollech & Wajs’ rarest models and is considered the personal favorite watch of company founder Albert Wajs.
The 24-Hour Concept Reimagined
While 24-hour time displays are now commonplace worldwide, mechanical 24-hour watches remain among the great specialties of watchmaking. The new Early Bird EB-24 stays true to this concept and features a specially developed Soprod P125 automatic movement, in which the hour hand completes only one full rotation within 24 hours.
This allows the entire course of the day to be grasped at a glance. Combined with the bidirectional 24-hour world time bezel, a second time zone can also be tracked—a practical feature for pilots, frequent travelers, and anyone who regularly works across different time zones.
In Celebration of Ollech & Wajs’ Platinum Anniversary
Although both the Early Bird and the Satellite of the same name celebrated their 60th anniversaries last year, Ollech & Wajs made a conscious decision to wait until 2026—the brand’s platinum anniversary—to unveil the reissue. Given the special significance this model held for Albert Wajs personally, its return was to be marked by an equally special occasion.
Swiss Precision for Everyday Use – Early Bird
Inside, the watch is powered by the Soprod P125 automatic movement, configured specifically for Ollech & Wajs. It features a frequency of 28,800 half-vibrations per hour (4 Hz), 25 jewels, a seconds stop, Incabloc shock protection, and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. The movement features a semi-instantaneous date change, can be conveniently adjusted via the crown, and is assembled exclusively for Ollech & Wajs—equipped with a custom-engraved rotor, an engraved mainplate, and specially manufactured screws, and regulated in three positions. The rate accuracy is approximately -7 to +7 seconds per day.
The 39.5-millimeter case, crafted from brushed 316L stainless steel, is manufactured in the Swiss Jura region and features a screw-down crown, a screw-down case back, and water resistance up to 300 meters (30 ATM). An anti-reflective sapphire crystal reliably protects the dial from scratches, while Super-LumiNova® on the hands and hour markers ensures excellent readability even in the dark.
High-Quality Features
The OW Early Bird EB-24 comes standard on a high-quality black strap made of Italian leather with natural linen, which is manufactured in Switzerland and features a brushed pin buckle engraved with “OWZ 1956.”
The distinctive M-Link stainless steel bracelet is also available as an option. It consists of hand-brushed stainless steel links and features an adjustable folding clasp with an engraved OW logo. Like every Ollech & Wajs watch, the Early Bird EB-24 is crafted entirely by hand in the Swiss Jura region and combines historical authenticity with modern Swiss precision.
