Swiss-Made Mechanical Watch Proven in Himalayan Expeditions: Ocean To Orbit "LHOTSE" Officially Launches in Japan
Shinwa Shoji Co., Ltd. has become the official Japanese distributor for the Melbourne-based micro-watch brand "Ocean To Orbit," launching the "LHOTSE" collection. These watches, designed by former automotive designers, feature high reliability proven during Himalayan expeditions.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 02:42
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(Left) Co-Founder / Designer: Siddhartha Kazami (Right) Co-Founder / Designer: David Dewitt
Founders
"Ocean to Orbit" was founded in Melbourne, Australia, in 2020 by two designers with extensive experience in automotive design. One of the founders, David Dewitt, is known for designing popular pickup trucks during his time at Ford, while the other, Siddhartha Kazami, was a lead designer at Toyota.
Shinwa Shoji Co., Ltd. is proud to announce the start of domestic sales for the Swiss-made mechanical watch collection "LHOTSE" as the official Japanese distributor for the Australian independent micro-watch brand "Ocean To Orbit."
This product is a micro-brand watch equipped with the Swiss-made movement STP 1-21. A key feature is its proven track record in extreme environments, having been carried on Himalayan expeditions by Nepalese mountaineer and photojournalist Purnima Shrestha.
We present this timepiece with confidence to customers in both the horology and outdoor enthusiast sectors.
Design Philosophy — Car Design Philosophy Spanning "From Ocean To Orbit"
Ocean To Orbit develops products under the concept of "tools that function in all environments, from the ocean to orbit." They directly apply the principles of "proportion, functionality, and ergonomics" cultivated in automotive design to watchmaking. Every element—from the case form and dial legibility to the comfort of the bracelet and the design from lugs to clasp—is engineered by working backward from its intended use.
Furthermore, a watch brand led by automotive designers is a rare existence in the industry. Shinwa Shoji proposes Ocean To Orbit as a timepiece that resonates with unique values for everyone, from first-time mechanical watch buyers to seasoned enthusiasts.
Trust and Results: Real-World Use in the Himalayas
Mountaineer/Photojournalist: Purnima Shrestha
Nepalese mountaineer and photojournalist Purnima Shrestha wore this product on her wrist as she headed to Lhotse, the mountain situated just south of Mount Everest in the Himalayas.
Unlike watches that merely "pose" as outdoor gear, the LHOTSE offered by Ocean to Orbit is backed by actual expedition use. For customers who enjoy climbing and the outdoors, this provides a solid foundation of trust.
Walking the final approach to Lhotse in the Himalayas with the LHOTSE on wrist (Provided by Ocean To Orbit)
"When I received the prototype of the Ocean to Orbit Lhotse, I was very pleased with its size and comfort. The time display was very easy to read, and because it is automatically wound by the movement of the wrist, I never had to worry about batteries running out.
Time management is crucial in mountaineering. Since weather significantly impacts plans, it is necessary to grasp the time and accurately calculate each stage of the journey. To succeed in the summit push, one must constantly push themselves to reach pre-set points according to the schedule.
During the Lhotse ascent, I was moving with many other climbers. When they realized I had a watch, they were constantly asking me for the time because they had turned off their mobile phones. This also eliminated the need to call base camp via satellite phone just to check the time, allowing me to save satellite phone battery.
Lhotse was always on my wrist. It was waterproof to 100m, so I even kept it on when bathing in the Khumbu Icefall after descending."
Purnima Shrestha after successfully summiting Lhotse
LHOTSE Collection — Introducing the 5 Models
We offer the LHOTSE collection in five different dial colors. The case shape and specifications are common across all models, with each dial color offering a distinct personality. In Japan, we will primarily focus on the metal bracelet versions, while the NATO Adventure Strap will be available separately as an accessory.
- Blue Steel
- Blue Steel Red Tip
- Classic Steel
- Heritage
- Mission Green
From Blue Steel for daily use to Mission Green for the outdoors and the classic feel of Heritage, customers can choose the model that best fits their lifestyle.
Founders
"Ocean to Orbit" was founded in Melbourne, Australia, in 2020 by two designers with extensive experience in automotive design. One of the founders, David Dewitt, is known for designing popular pickup trucks during his time at Ford, while the other, Siddhartha Kazami, was a lead designer at Toyota.
Shinwa Shoji Co., Ltd. is proud to announce the start of domestic sales for the Swiss-made mechanical watch collection "LHOTSE" as the official Japanese distributor for the Australian independent micro-watch brand "Ocean To Orbit."
This product is a micro-brand watch equipped with the Swiss-made movement STP 1-21. A key feature is its proven track record in extreme environments, having been carried on Himalayan expeditions by Nepalese mountaineer and photojournalist Purnima Shrestha.
We present this timepiece with confidence to customers in both the horology and outdoor enthusiast sectors.
Design Philosophy — Car Design Philosophy Spanning "From Ocean To Orbit"
Ocean To Orbit develops products under the concept of "tools that function in all environments, from the ocean to orbit." They directly apply the principles of "proportion, functionality, and ergonomics" cultivated in automotive design to watchmaking. Every element—from the case form and dial legibility to the comfort of the bracelet and the design from lugs to clasp—is engineered by working backward from its intended use.
Furthermore, a watch brand led by automotive designers is a rare existence in the industry. Shinwa Shoji proposes Ocean To Orbit as a timepiece that resonates with unique values for everyone, from first-time mechanical watch buyers to seasoned enthusiasts.
Trust and Results: Real-World Use in the Himalayas
Mountaineer/Photojournalist: Purnima Shrestha
Nepalese mountaineer and photojournalist Purnima Shrestha wore this product on her wrist as she headed to Lhotse, the mountain situated just south of Mount Everest in the Himalayas.
Unlike watches that merely "pose" as outdoor gear, the LHOTSE offered by Ocean to Orbit is backed by actual expedition use. For customers who enjoy climbing and the outdoors, this provides a solid foundation of trust.
Walking the final approach to Lhotse in the Himalayas with the LHOTSE on wrist (Provided by Ocean To Orbit)
"When I received the prototype of the Ocean to Orbit Lhotse, I was very pleased with its size and comfort. The time display was very easy to read, and because it is automatically wound by the movement of the wrist, I never had to worry about batteries running out.
Time management is crucial in mountaineering. Since weather significantly impacts plans, it is necessary to grasp the time and accurately calculate each stage of the journey. To succeed in the summit push, one must constantly push themselves to reach pre-set points according to the schedule.
During the Lhotse ascent, I was moving with many other climbers. When they realized I had a watch, they were constantly asking me for the time because they had turned off their mobile phones. This also eliminated the need to call base camp via satellite phone just to check the time, allowing me to save satellite phone battery.
Lhotse was always on my wrist. It was waterproof to 100m, so I even kept it on when bathing in the Khumbu Icefall after descending."
Purnima Shrestha after successfully summiting Lhotse
LHOTSE Collection — Introducing the 5 Models
We offer the LHOTSE collection in five different dial colors. The case shape and specifications are common across all models, with each dial color offering a distinct personality. In Japan, we will primarily focus on the metal bracelet versions, while the NATO Adventure Strap will be available separately as an accessory.
- Blue Steel
- Blue Steel Red Tip
- Classic Steel
- Heritage
- Mission Green
From Blue Steel for daily use to Mission Green for the outdoors and the classic feel of Heritage, customers can choose the model that best fits their lifestyle.