he perpetual calendar is an apt expression of Ludwig Oechslin’s approach to watchmaking: solving a complex problem with as few components as possible. For its Holiday Edition 2026, ochs und junior places that philosophy at the centre of a watch marking the conclusion of its 20th anniversary year.

The underlying idea has a long history. In 1996, the Perpetual Ludwig developed by Oechslin for Ulysse Nardin demonstrated that a perpetual calendar could be adjusted both forwards and backwards using the crown. At ochs und junior, he pursued this thinking through a construction based on rotating gears, using just nine additional and three modified components.

The system accounts for different month lengths and leap years without the numerous levers and springs associated with conventional perpetual calendar mechanisms. Dots and apertures convey the calendar information in the brand’s characteristic visual language. All calendar functions are set through the crown, with the date adjustable in either direction.

Mechanical complexity, visual restraint

The mechanism is built around the automatic Ulysse Nardin UN-118 calibre, manufactured in Le Locle. Equipped with 50 jewels, it delivers a 60-hour power reserve, indicated directly on the dial.

For this edition, the display explores the contrast between two surface treatments. A finely sandblasted, anthracite-black dial surrounds an inner section with pronounced circular graining. The matte surface disperses light, while the circular finish catches it at changing angles, giving the otherwise restrained composition depth.

The month and date discs, together with the seconds, power reserve and leap-year displays, receive an anthracite-black PVD finish. White gold decoration picks out the hands, markers and indicator dots against this dark background.

The two-part Grade 5 titanium case measures 42 mm in diameter and retains visible machining marks, a familiar feature of Oechslin’s functional approach to design. Water resistance is rated to 100 metres. A black Ecopell calfskin strap, handmade by Sabina Brägger and available in four sizes, completes the watch.

Each example is hand-assembled and regulated at the ochs und junior workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

A defined order window

The Holiday Edition 2026 is priced at CHF 15,000 excluding tax, or CHF 16,215 including 8.1% Swiss VAT. According to ochs und junior, producing the watches together as a series allows manufacturing savings to be passed on to customers.

Orders remain open until 6 January 2027 inclusive, after which the edition will leave the collection. The design is fixed, with no customisation offered.

The brand states that orders secured with a 50% deposit by 15 November 2026 inclusive will be delivered before 24 December. Later orders are scheduled to ship in early 2027.

For an anniversary edition, the emphasis remains firmly on the mechanism. The darker palette gives Oechslin’s calendar a distinct appearance while preserving the direct relationship between its gear-driven construction and its unconventional display.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Case

• Diameter: 42 mm
• Material: Grade 5 titanium
• Construction: Two-part case designed by Ludwig Oechslin, with visible machining marks
• Weight: 62 g, excluding strap and buckle
• Water resistance: 100 metres
• Crown: Screw-down, Grade 5 titanium, designed by Ludwig Oechslin
• Crystal: Sapphire

Dial & Display

• Dial: Sandblasted anthracite-black
• Month disc: Circular-grained, with anthracite-black PVD finish
• Date, seconds, power reserve and leap-year displays: Anthracite-black PVD finish
• White gold decoration on markers, hour and minute hands, date and control dots, and seconds, power reserve and leap-year indicator dots
• Calendar functions adjustable via the crown; date adjustable forwards and backwards

Movement

• Base calibre: Ulysse Nardin UN-118, self-winding
• Manufacturer: Ulysse Nardin, Le Locle, Switzerland
• Perpetual calendar mechanism: Nine additional and three modified components
• Jewels: 50
• Power reserve: 60 hours, indicated on the dial

Strap & Buckle

• Strap: Black Ecopell calfskin, handmade by Sabina Brägger
• Sizes: S, M, L and XL
• Buckle: Classic Grade 5 titanium buckle designed by Ludwig Oechslin

Production & Warranty

• Entirely manufactured in Switzerland
• Hand-assembled and regulated at the ochs und junior workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds
• Design: Ludwig Oechslin
• Non-customisable edition
• Warranty: Two years

Price & Availability

• Export price: CHF 15,000
• Price including 8.1% Swiss VAT: CHF 16,215
• Order deadline: 6 January 2027 inclusive
• Orders with a 50% deposit received by 15 November 2026 inclusive: Delivery before 24 December 2026
• Later orders: Shipment in early 2027