Swiss-made Mechanical Watch Validated by Himalayan Expedition: Ocean To Orbit 'LHOTSE' Launches Official Sales in Japan
Shinwa Shoji Co., Ltd. has begun domestic distribution of 'LHOTSE' from 'Ocean To Orbit,' an independent micro-watch brand from Melbourne. Designed by former car designers and tested during a successful ascent of Mount Lhotse, this collection offers professional-grade reliability and ergonomic design.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 02:42
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 18:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 19:10 (1h 7m after Collected)
(Left) Co-Founder / Designer: Siddhartha Kazami (Right) Co-Founder / Designer: David Dewitt
Founders
'Ocean to Orbit' was founded in 2020 in Melbourne, Australia, by two designers with extensive experience in automotive design. David Dewitt, one of the founders, is known for designing popular pickup trucks during his tenure at Ford, while Siddhartha Kazami is recognized as a lead designer who excelled at Toyota.
Shinwa Shoji Co., Ltd., acting as the official Japanese distributor for the Australian independent micro-watch brand 'Ocean To Orbit,' is proud to announce the domestic launch of the Swiss-made mechanical watch collection 'LHOTSE.'
This collection features micro-brand timepieces equipped with the Swiss-made movement STP 1-21. A standout feature is its proven track record in extreme environments, having been carried and used by Nepalese mountaineer and photojournalist Purnima Shrestha during her expedition to the Himalayas.
We present this collection with confidence as a top recommendation for both watch enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.
Design Philosophy ── Car Design Principles of 'Ocean to Orbit'
Ocean To Orbit develops products under the concept of 'tools that function in any environment, from the ocean to space.' The principles of 'proportion, functionality, and ergonomics' cultivated in automotive design are directly applied to watchmaking. Every element—from the case silhouette and dial legibility to the comfort of the bracelet, lugs, and clasp—is designed by working backward from its intended purpose.
Watch brands led by car designers are rare in the industry. We offer Ocean To Orbit as a piece that resonates with a unique set of values, catering to everyone from first-time mechanical watch buyers to seasoned collectors.
Trust and Proven Results: Field 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 peak located south of Mount Everest in the Himalayas.
Unlike typical watches that merely 'look outdoor-ready,' the LHOTSE offered by Ocean to Orbit is backed by actual expedition use. This provides a solid foundation of trust for customers who enjoy climbing and outdoor activities.
Walking the final approach to Lhotse in the Himalayas with LHOTSE (Provided by Ocean To Orbit)
'When I received the prototype of the Ocean to Orbit Lhotse, I was very satisfied with its size and comfort. The time display was highly legible, and since it is automatically wound by wrist movement, I never had to worry about the battery running out.
In mountaineering, time management is critical. Because weather plays such a huge role, you need to track the time and calculate each leg of the journey accurately. To succeed in reaching the summit, you must constantly push yourself to reach pre-set waypoints on schedule.
During the Lhotse climb, I was moving with many other climbers. When they realized I had a watch, they were constantly asking for the time because they had turned off their mobile phones. Additionally, I no longer needed to make satellite phone calls to the base camp just to check the time, which saved valuable battery on the satellite phone.
Lhotse was always on my wrist. With its 100m water resistance, I even kept it on while bathing in the Khumbu Icefall after descending.'
Purnima Shrestha after her successful ascent of Lhotse.
LHOTSE Collection ── Introducing 5 Models
We offer the LHOTSE collection in five distinct dial colors. While the case shape and specifications are common across all models, each dial color provides a unique aesthetic. In Japan, we primarily offer the metal bracelet versions, while NATO adventure straps are available as separate accessories.
- Blue Steel
- Blue Steel Red Tip
- Classic Steel
- Heritage
- Mission Green
From the daily-wear appeal of Blue Steel to the outdoor-ready Mission Green and the classic feel of Heritage, we provide options to suit every lifestyle.
Founders
'Ocean to Orbit' was founded in 2020 in Melbourne, Australia, by two designers with extensive experience in automotive design. David Dewitt, one of the founders, is known for designing popular pickup trucks during his tenure at Ford, while Siddhartha Kazami is recognized as a lead designer who excelled at Toyota.
Shinwa Shoji Co., Ltd., acting as the official Japanese distributor for the Australian independent micro-watch brand 'Ocean To Orbit,' is proud to announce the domestic launch of the Swiss-made mechanical watch collection 'LHOTSE.'
This collection features micro-brand timepieces equipped with the Swiss-made movement STP 1-21. A standout feature is its proven track record in extreme environments, having been carried and used by Nepalese mountaineer and photojournalist Purnima Shrestha during her expedition to the Himalayas.
We present this collection with confidence as a top recommendation for both watch enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.
Design Philosophy ── Car Design Principles of 'Ocean to Orbit'
Ocean To Orbit develops products under the concept of 'tools that function in any environment, from the ocean to space.' The principles of 'proportion, functionality, and ergonomics' cultivated in automotive design are directly applied to watchmaking. Every element—from the case silhouette and dial legibility to the comfort of the bracelet, lugs, and clasp—is designed by working backward from its intended purpose.
Watch brands led by car designers are rare in the industry. We offer Ocean To Orbit as a piece that resonates with a unique set of values, catering to everyone from first-time mechanical watch buyers to seasoned collectors.
Trust and Proven Results: Field 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 peak located south of Mount Everest in the Himalayas.
Unlike typical watches that merely 'look outdoor-ready,' the LHOTSE offered by Ocean to Orbit is backed by actual expedition use. This provides a solid foundation of trust for customers who enjoy climbing and outdoor activities.
Walking the final approach to Lhotse in the Himalayas with LHOTSE (Provided by Ocean To Orbit)
'When I received the prototype of the Ocean to Orbit Lhotse, I was very satisfied with its size and comfort. The time display was highly legible, and since it is automatically wound by wrist movement, I never had to worry about the battery running out.
In mountaineering, time management is critical. Because weather plays such a huge role, you need to track the time and calculate each leg of the journey accurately. To succeed in reaching the summit, you must constantly push yourself to reach pre-set waypoints on schedule.
During the Lhotse climb, I was moving with many other climbers. When they realized I had a watch, they were constantly asking for the time because they had turned off their mobile phones. Additionally, I no longer needed to make satellite phone calls to the base camp just to check the time, which saved valuable battery on the satellite phone.
Lhotse was always on my wrist. With its 100m water resistance, I even kept it on while bathing in the Khumbu Icefall after descending.'
Purnima Shrestha after her successful ascent of Lhotse.
LHOTSE Collection ── Introducing 5 Models
We offer the LHOTSE collection in five distinct dial colors. While the case shape and specifications are common across all models, each dial color provides a unique aesthetic. In Japan, we primarily offer the metal bracelet versions, while NATO adventure straps are available as separate accessories.
- Blue Steel
- Blue Steel Red Tip
- Classic Steel
- Heritage
- Mission Green
From the daily-wear appeal of Blue Steel to the outdoor-ready Mission Green and the classic feel of Heritage, we provide options to suit every lifestyle.