Linde Werdelin Oktopus II - Double Date — WatchProSite Forum Digest

Kong · 2012-08-09T12:40:36Z

Explore the Linde Werdelin Oktopus II - Double Date, a dive watch with enhanced design and attachable digital instruments, sparking debate on its name and legibility.

Kong

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

17 replies3815 views1 photos

Kong introduces the Linde Werdelin Oktopus II - Double Date, highlighting its enhanced design features since its BaselWorld 2012 concept debut. The article details the subtle yet important modifications made to enrich the owner experience, focusing on readability and material play.

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LINDE WERDELIN, acknowledged for creating meticulously crafted timepieces with attachable digital instruments for diving and free skiing, proudly announces the arrival of the Oktopus II - Double Date boasting enhanced design features from its concept introduction at BaselWorld 2012 in March.

LINDE WERDELIN has since perfected the final realisation of the Oktopus II - Double Date with subtle yet important modifications to further enrich the owner experience in sight and touch.

Oktopus II - Double Date Titanium Blue

The series originally launched as Oktopus II - Double Date in titanium with a black dial now features blue luminent indices, blue tension disks, blue Linde Werdelin logo and blue double date wheels to enhance readability and create extra depth in the dial. The series is now named Oktopus II - Double Date Titanium Blue.

“In bringing the concept series to finish, we gave closer attention to the finest detail and a better play of materials. These subtle final enhancements emphasise our sense of perfection and mark the completion of our challenge to redefine what a dive watch in use with a dive instrument should be now and in the future,” says Morten Linde.

Oktopus II — Double Date in titanium, titanium DLC and ceramic with yellow accents in the dial

The two series of 88 pieces each - Oktopus II - Double Date titanium, ceramic with Blue accents and Oktopus II - Double Date titanium, titanium DLC, ceramic with Yellow accents - is available now from August via our retail partners around the world. The Oktopus II - Double Date rose gold and titanium will be coming in September.

The idea
The Oktopus II - Double Date has been developed with the Reef, LINDE WERDELIN’s proprietary diving instrument, in mind and its construction has been inspired by the air-tight pressure chamber used for deep-sea simulations when testing both the Oktopus and the Reef.

Oktopus II - Double Date & The Reef

“Having completed the complex development of the Reef and acquired unequalled in-house expertise, we had the opportunity to consider what our definition of a contemporary dive watch and dive instrument could be and we set about reconstructing the Oktopus family,” says Jorn Werdelin.

The case
The Oktopus II - Double Date’s innovative five part case construction ensures absolute water resistance and excellent anti-corrosive protection given by the finest materials employed, such as gold, titanium and ceramic. The case features a central movement chamber and four case parts assembled together with 16 screws. Eight screws seal the fixed bezel with the chamber and eight inside the back-case. The four case parts at three, six, nine and twelve o’clock, are built separately from the movement chamber and are used to attach the strap as well as to hold the attachable instrument.

The robust crown at 3 o’clock bears an engraving of an octopus icon. The back case has been decorated with an octopus drawing by Morten Linde.

The Oktopus II intentionally dispenses with a turning bezel as the information (time spent submersed), traditionally measured by a turning bezel, is available in the Reef.

Enhancements: The titanium case body has undergone a rougher polish to achieve a more masculine finish. The ceramic bezel has been widened around the fixing screws allowing a stronger hint of colour display from the eight coloured tension disks.

The bezel has been given a satin finish with a polished facet on the outer side creating a more luxurious and interesting contrast under the light. The 3 o’clock unit has been opened up with a curve on top to add elegance yet enable easy access to the crown.

The dial
The dial of the Oktopus II is built in two layers. The lower layer is made with a circular Cote de Genève dial to give the effect of water ripples. Two laser-cut wheels at 11 and 1 o’clock are powered by the big calendar complication. Bearing the LINDE WERDELIN logo and indexes 3, 6 and 9 in superluminova, together with the big calendar wheels, the upper dial reveals the icon of an octopus.

Oktopus II — Double Date rose gold and titanium with rose gold accents in the dial

Enhancements: The Double Date complication has been visually amplified by opening further the construction of the two independent date wheels. The upper dial has been finalised with a circular satin finish to create an extra visual dimension with subtle gleams under the light.

The movement
Oktopus II Double Date is a Linde Werdelin customised Dubois Depraz caliber 14580.

Technical Specifications

Name:
Oktopus II — Double Date

Models:
Oktopus II — Double Date in titanium and ceramic with blue accents in the dial — 88 pieces

Oktopus II — Double Date in titanium, titanium DLC and ceramic with yellow accents in the dial — 88 pieces

Oktopus II — Double Date rose gold and titanium with rose gold accents in the dial — 88 pieces

Case:
5 part case-construction / 2.5 mm sapphire crystal antireflective on one side / Screw in back case with engraved octopus drawing / Screw in crown with engraved octopus symbol

Dimensions:
44mm (w) by 46mm (l) by 15,25mm (h)

Dial:
2 layer dial / upper layer laser-cut in stencil technique/ lower dial circular Côtes de Genève / date dial at 12 o’clock / date wheel laser-cut layer / hands in stainless steel with satin finish / LW cool grey 1U customised superluminova

Movement:
Linde Werdelin modified Dubois Depraz caliber 14580 / automatic / double date at 12 o’clock / 40 to 44 hour power reserve / 26 jewels / 28,800 bph (4 Hz)

Water Resistance:
300m

Strap:
High-end rubber strap, interchangeable within Linde Werdelin’s proprietary strap system

Oktopus II – Double Date Titanium Blue in titanium and ceramic with blue accents retails at CHF 8,800;

Oktopus II – Double Date Titanium Yellow in titanium, titanium DLC and ceramic with yellow accents retails at CHF 9,400;

Oktopus II – Double Date Rose Gold in rose gold and titanium retails at CHF 18,500, all exclusive of VAT.

Press Release

These pictures are better representative of the Oktopus II Titanium Blue ...

This message has been edited by Kong on 2012-08-11 11:38:25

Key Points from the Discussion

The initial press release for the Oktopus II - Double Date was criticized for obscuring the date display in key photos and for the 'Double Date' naming convention, which led to confusion about whether it featured two separate date displays instead of a big date.
The author provided additional images to better represent the Oktopus II Titanium Blue, aiming to clarify the date display and overall aesthetic.
A contributor questioned the practicality of attaching a dive computer to a mechanical watch for diving, suggesting that if a dive computer is used, the mechanical watch's presence becomes redundant.
The watch's unique and compelling look is acknowledged, but the legibility of the date function remains a concern based on photos, with hope that it is clearer in person.
The second hand obstructing the date display in promotional images was noted as a poor convention, as important dial features should not be blocked.
The 'Double Date' nomenclature is seen as a mismatch between marketing and product, with suggestions for alternative names like 'Big Date' or 'Date Diver'.

The Discussion

BDLJ

Aug 9, 2012

"...blue double date wheels to enhance readability."

I can't even spot the date in that first picture....

Kong

Aug 10, 2012

You are not the only one ...

Hi BDLJ When I first received this press release, that was my first response to LW ... The second-hand blocked the date-discs. The pic of the gold piece does show the date discs... Kong

Marcus Hanke

Aug 10, 2012

Indeed, the pictures are very unlucky ...

... since it normally is the convention to depict a watch in a manner that the view on none of its important dial features is obstructed by a hand. In this case, the second hand straight at 12 is not only blocking the view on the name-giving feautre of the big date, but its also appears a bit weird in the picture, there is no aesthetic tension. Regards, Marcus

cazalea

Aug 10, 2012

but why call it a double date when only one date shows

or is it because the date is displayed by 2 wheels, not one? This is a case of mis-matched marketing and product. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt but cannot. What were they thinking? Cazalea

Kong

Aug 11, 2012

I guessed so ...

Hi Cazalea How would you describe it? Besides the descriptor, which of the variations attract you most? Thanks. Kong PS : Just received a few real pics from LW: http://home.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-17/pi-5439178/ti-807698/s--9/

AnthonyTsai

Aug 9, 2012

Looking good. Love the blue and yellow colors [nt]