Monochrome Watches » Linde Werdelin

Linde Werdelin presents the Oktopus II Double Date at Baselworld

mono — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:19:34 +0000

Linde Werdelin presents the Oktopus II Double Date at Baselworld is a post from: Monochrome.nl

Linde Werdelin presents the Oktopus II—Double Date at BaselWorld 2012. This is the first Linde Werdelin with a big date display and as we’ve come to learn Linde Werdelin, they designed it to be a very cool looking watch.

Linde Werdelin is known for bringing us the coolest sports watches around, like the SpidoSpeed, 3-Timer and the 2-Timer we put to the test when traveling in India. They even brought us a watch with tattooed case! Now one of their first models, the Oktopus, gets revamped with a new design and a big date.

At this moment we only have computer rendered images, but they give a good idea of the actual watch that we’ll show you next week from Baselworld. The Oktopus II Double Date is available in three version, titanium/ceramic, titanium/ceramic/yellow and in rose gold/titanium. I think the version with yellow dial accents suits the sporty character of the watch best, however all models look very cool.

The thing Linde Werdelin puts most effort and time in, is the design of the watches. This is not a watch brand delivering watches with magnificent in-house movements, however creating a case like they do does take a lot of time, effort and money to develop. And all models can be equipped with either The Reef of The Rock, their dive and mountain sport instruments.

Here’s a video of Morten Linde and Jorn Werdelin talking about their newest creation.

Oktopus II – Double Date in titanium and ceramic will retail at CHF 8,800. Oktopus II – Double Date in titanium, titanium DLC and ceramic with yellow accents in dial will retail at CHF 9,400; Oktopus II – Double Date Rose Gold and titanium will retail at CHF 18,500. All exclusive of VAT.

More info on the Linde Werdelin website.

Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed Black Orange

mono — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:29:53 +0000

Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed Black Orange is a post from: Monochrome.nl

Linde Werdelin just launched a new version of the SpidoLite and now launches a new version of the SpidoSpeed. But be warned… looking at the photos of the SpidoSpeed Black/Orange is dangerous. If you look too long, you might want one.

I guess it won’t come as a surprise that I really like the Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed and SpidoLite models. There are many different reasons to like a watch. In this case it’s the incredibly strong design, the cool looks and an approach to case design that we’ve not seen before.

For now we have to settle for these computerrenderings, but they give quite a good idea of what the new SpidoSpeed Black/Orange will look like. The centre part of the case, the crown, chronograph pushers and several other parts have been DLC black coated. The outer case, in which the centre parts is incorporated, remains uncoated, which gives a great visual effect of depth.

The two-layer dial now features orange subdials. Maybe a small detail, but combined with another detail like the orange stitching in the textured calf leather strap, it looks very nice. Nothing overdone… very tasteful.

Here are the specifications.

Movement: Chronograph / Power reserve: 48 hours / Number of components: 237 / Balance frequency: 28,800 Alt/H / LW designed oscillator

Case: Three part construction steel satin finish / Number of parts: 32 / anti-reflective sapphire crystal / Back case: see-through sapphire crystal, spider web and chronograph subdial engravings / Screw in crown with LW logo / Chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock

Dimensions: 44mm (w) by 46mm (l) by 15mm (h)

Dial: Two-part black galvanic dial: perlage surface base part, opalin top dial part / chronograph sub-dials for hours, minutes and seconds in orange / Hands: Six diamond cut hands / Grey SLN on main dial and sub-dial indexes

Water Resistance: 100m

Strap: SpidoSpeed textured calfskin strap with ardillon buckle

“ The Spido-case and even more so the SpidoSpeed model is a great watch to ‘experiment’ on in terms of materials and colours. Colour creates extra depth while the combination of material is made possible due to the three part case. The possibilities therefore are endless!” says Morten Linde.

Now that says enough and it looks like we will be seeing several variation of the SpidoSpeed in the future, something that we will be looking out for!

More information can be found at the Linde Werdelin website and official Facebook page.

Friday Find – Linde Werdelin 3-Timer Racing Yellow

mono — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:24:00 +0000

Friday Find – Linde Werdelin 3-Timer Racing Yellow is a post from: Monochrome.nl

This Friday we present you our Friday Find, a used Linde Werdelin 3-Timer Racing Series in Yellow. Limited to only 9 pieces and this is number 1!

The 3-Timer special edition is released for the Grand Prix in Singapore, which is also engraved in the case back. Technically this is a standard Linde Werdelin 3-Timer, the newer version of the 2-Timer that I tested extensively. The owner made some excellent photos of the 3-Timer Racing Yellow, before deciding to sell it.

This rare Linde Werdelin is for sale for a very nice price of SGD 6,900 which equivalents USD 5,625 or roughly EURO 3,900. Considering this is more that 35% below the retail price and this is number 1 of only 9 pieces. Not bad!

Check it out at the PuristS Pro Collectors Market.

Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed – SpidoLite Chronograph

mono — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:38:31 +0000

Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed – SpidoLite Chronograph is a post from: Monochrome.nl

Last December Linde Werdelin already teased us by showing some close-up photos, but now it’s here! The new SpidoSpeed, Linde Werdelin’s first chronograph.

I never made it a secret that I just love the Linde Werdelin SpidoLite and of course I was very exited to see the teaser photos they released last December. How cool could this new SpidoLite chronograph be? Well, the answer is simple… very cool!

Like the SpidoLite, the SpidoSpeed has a gorgeous skeletonised case and dial. The multiple-layered dial construction suits perfect with the skeletonised case, which exists of no less than 32 components. The SpidoSpeed has a cylindrical chamber inside the 44mm large case, which locks on the case-back. The SpidoSpeed is water resistant up to 100 meters.

The height of the case is 15mm, 3mm more than the SpidoLite, allowing space for the chronograph pushers to be incorporated. The chronograph pushers are hidden at 2 and 4 o’clock position on the side of the case, well protected from sports activities, while allowing the attachment of both The Rock (ski instrument) and The Reef (dive instrument).

The SpidoSpeed is powered by a Concepto movement (calibre 2251) which is partially visible through the sapphire crystal case-back. The specially designed rotor also graphically aligned with the SpidoSpeed case.

On choosing a Concepto movement for the new model, Jorn Werdelin said “Concepto movements have attracted a lot of interest in the world of watch making in the last years for their quality, durability, reliability and versatility in terms of finishing and complications. It was very important for us to have an integrated chronograph for the SpidoSpeed so the pushers and the crown would be at the same level.”

Personally I hadn’t heard of Concepto movement, until Linde Werdelin now starts using it in the SpidoSpeed, so I Googled… and besides many press releases of this new Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed I found one message on Professional Watches about Concepto movements. If Concepto movements proof to be reliable, has to be seen.

I really like the SpidoSpeed for its looks! However the price of € 11,760 seems steep for a watch without in-house movement. Although its looks remind us of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph and several other high-end chronographs, I think a price similar to the Rolex Daytona (just above € 8,000) would be daring enough.

The Linde Werdelin will be available in limited series A of 100 pieces and will be available through the Linde Werdelin website and official retailers.

Linde Werdelin chronograph – Spido Chrono?

mono — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:21:17 +0000

Linde Werdelin chronograph – Spido Chrono? is a post from: Monochrome.nl

Linde Werdelin just released a few teasers of a new watch, that will be released in January during the SIHH/GTE. Finally a chronograph and in the most beautiful Linde Werdelin case, the SpidoLite case!

It looks promising, a chronograph in the SpidoLite case. But unfortunately Linde Werdelin did not share more details at this time. Looking at the two teaser pictures, it clear that the case is skelletonized like the SpidoLite. And from the looks of it, it is also a titanium case. The big difference, are the two pushers besides the crown.

And one more teaser picture with the spider logo.

To learn more about Linde Werdelin, you can visit the Linde Werdelin website and Facebook page.

Watch brands with a weblog

mono — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 20:09:02 +0000

Watch brands with a weblog is a post from: Monochrome.nl

Most watch brands are present on Facebook these days. While most brands hardly make the most of social media, some brands (or watchmakers) really use these new media to share more than just a press release.

Social media are becoming an important factor in communications. Not only in personal communications, but also businesses blend in and use these communication channels. When internet arose, most watch brands didn’t hurry to get an online appearance. Years later, when social media are booming, the same thing happens. Most watch brands do have a Facebook page by now. In 2008, Cartier was the watch brand with the most ‘fans’, almost 10,000. Today they have no less than 37,000 Facebook ‘fans’. The big question however is if they use this medium to really interact with their Facebook ‘fans’?

Especially among independent watchmakers, Facebook has become a well used medium. Independents don’t have the media budget like the big brands, so it’s smart they found their way to alternative communication channels and inform watch aficionados about new watches and other interesting developments. Blogging another way of communication, maybe a more personal way of expressing yourself than what brands do on Facebook. Three brands, all independents, have a blog where they share more information than watch related info…

Max Busser of MB&F shares some remarkable things about environment friendly new developments, art and other things that stand out of the crowd and Max likes to share. Check out his personal notes he shares through theparrallel world section of the MB&F website. Personally I was amazed to see the photos of the Niagara Falls… frozen!

Ochs und Junior is a collaboration between Ludwig Oechslin, Beat Weinman, Paul Gerber and several more people who’s contribution to the Och und Junior watches is essential. The creation of smart, innovative and renewing watch-technologies is what they do and through the Ochsenblog they share how things are done. I especially enjoy the drawing of Sjoerd van Rooijen’s cartoons and Bea Weinman’s photos a lot.

Jorn Werdelin and Morten Linde, the two men behind (of course) Linde Werdelin, share their ideas through The Lab. According to their own statement. The Lab is where creative thoughts flow. They say it’s an inspiring window to the Linde Werdelin universe where creative and thought-provoking ideas come and go and where some of these ideas turn into Linde Werdelin creations. Now that sounds good, doesn’t it? Check it out yourself

Linde Werdelin 3-Timer Racing Series

mono — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:52:54 +0000

Linde Werdelin 3-Timer Racing Series is a post from: Monochrome.nl

Linde Werdelin teamed up with E’collezione in Singapore which resulted in a special edition 3-Timer Racing Series. But be aware, it’s limited…very limited!

This limited edition of the 3-Timer is seriously limited… only 9 pieces of each color! If you’re not familiar with the Linde Werdelin multi timezone watches you can read my reviews. In January of this year Linde Werdelin gave me a 2-Timer for an extensive test and last year I reviewed the 3-Timer.

The launch of this Linde Werdelin 3-Timer special edition coincides with the Grand Prix in Singapore. The model name is engraved in the caseback. The other difference with the ‘normal’ 3-Timer are the two color variations. Personally I really like the 3-Timer as an all-round sports and out-door activities watch. And now I really like the yellow version!

The details of the special edition are nice, colored screws, colored indexes on the rotating bezel and a dotted racing strap. It comes in yellow and red…. both 9 pieces, so be quick.

Baselworld day two – Linde Werdelin

mono — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:29:07 +0000

Baselworld day two – Linde Werdelin is a post from: Monochrome.nl

Last year Linde Werdelin almost completely renewed their collection. This year they build further on that collection and in a surprising way.

There’s the new Oktopus Titanium Black Bezel…. the Oktopus Tattoo…. the Oktopus DLC…. and the Oktopus Moonphase. Now that’s 4 new Oktopus models. And there’s a SpidoLite in rose gold….

The case of the Oktopus Tattoo has a tattoo engraving, designed by Danish tattoo artist Henning Jensen. On the press release photo the engraving looks very ‘in-your-face’, however in the metal it’s rather discrete. The parts of the watch when it’s on your wrist, that are seen (the dial and dive bezel), are not tattooed. Also the tattoo engraving is only 80 nanometers deep which gives it a refined look.

The new Oktopus Tattoo also has new hands, which are designed to resemble the tentacles of an octopus. Because the Oktopus models are 2mm thicker than the rest of the Linde Werdelin collection, the water resistance of this series is now 1.111 meter or 110 ATM. In the side of the case, at the 9 o’clock position, is an integrated helium escape valve. And another highlight of the Oktopus Tattoo… it’s now powered by a Frederic Piguet caliber 1150.

Another new Linde Werdelin is the Oktopus Moonphase. With a rose gold bezel and rose gold numerals & markers on the dial, it’s a mix of a dress watch and a sports watch. The moonphase complication, made by Svend Anderson who also did the movement of the SpidoLite, adds to that as well.

The moonphase is a just stunning to look at . It has a base of super luminova and on top of that, a photo-realistic moon has been ‘silk-painted’. The Oktopus Moonphase is also powered by an automatic Frederic Piguet caliber 1150 with a power reserve of 72 hours. The moonphase complication can be adjusted manually by the second crown position, normally used for the date.

Last year the SpidoLite was my favorite. I just loved the skelletonized titanium case. This year there’s a SpidoLite in rose gold.

Usually i have a strong preference for white metals. Somehow i feel white metal suits me much better and besides a vintage Glashütte Sixties i only own watches in white metal. For the SpidoLite i would make an exception and i would do this without hesitation. When i put it on for a wrist shot, i immediately fell in love again.

It doesn’t look like most watches in gold. The black screws and crown, the skelletonized case and dial, add something bold and sporty to this watch that makes it anything but a typical gold watch. By the way, it also looks good on a women’s wrist.

I’d love to know what you think of the SpidoLite in rose gold. Please post a comment or let me know by email.

Baselworld day one – part 2

mono — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:02:59 +0000

Baselworld day one – part 2 is a post from: Monochrome.nl

At the end of day one of Baselworld 2010 the official AHCI book launch party was held. I was totally overwhelmed to see so many of the best watchmakers on this planet together in one place. But there was more that really blew me away…

The most spectacular watch i have seen on day one was the Rebellion T-1000. Rebellion was launched in 2008 by the racing team with the same name. The idea was that high tech mechanics could go well together. In the Predator series Rebellion comes with a new mono-poussoir chronograph. Mono-poussoir or single-button chronographs are probably my favorite complication.

Now the thing that blew me of my socks was the T-1000. The number in the name is for the hours of power reserve. Yep… it’s got 1000 hours of power reserve! OK… take a deep breath… inhale, exhale… yes indeed a mechanical movement with 1000 hours or 41 hours of power reserve. The six spring barrels, three on each side, provide the power for this. In a patented system of energy distribution, six barrels are wound in parallel via a central prop shaft driving two chains, but they discharge in series (2 x 3) to optimize a regular power supply to the regulator. The movement has a double balance that releases the immense power at a controlled rate, according to Rebellion.

For now only a quick photo of the movement. The watch can be seen on the Rebellion website.

I also visited Linde Werdelin and got a tattoo… just kidding, but i did try their new Oktopus Tattoo. Later i’ll tell more about Linde Werdelin’s new watches. Now a wrist shot of the Oktopus Tattoo.

Linde Werdelin test almost over…

mono — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:57:44 +0000

Linde Werdelin test almost over… is a post from: Monochrome.nl

And now the Linde Werdelin test is almost over, so is my vacation…

The 2-Timer has been on my wrist for the past 3,5 weeks, except when i rinsed the salt sea-water off and when making photos of the watch. The Linde Werdelin proved to be an absolute reliable partner for traveling, even if you’re going off the beaten track. With it’s rubber strap it was very comfortable to wear with 35 degrees Celsius during day time. Yes 35 degrees Celsius and it’s winter here in India… can you imagine? The sea water’s temperature is around 28 degrees, which is also no punishment.

Now a last photo before i’m going to write the test review…