Linde Werdelin SpidoLite II Tech Green & Gold

LINDE WERDELIN launches the SpidoLite II Tech in two series of 75 pieces each. The main development of these two series is a new case in Alloy Linde Werdelin "ALW", carbon, ceramic, gold and a ceramic coating for titanium.

Linde Werdelin SpidoLite II Tech

A Technical Development of the Spido Case at BaselWorld 2013 (Le Palace)

During the last two years LINDE WERDELIN has tested and developed new materials and composites that best suit the purpose of each LINDE WERDELIN timepiece. The new SpidoLite II Tech is a result of this experimental approach.

Aspiring to achieve a lighter and stronger case, LINDE WERDELIN has focused on the combination of two new materials for the inner and outer case. For weight reduction the new "ALW", a strong composite of metals, has been conceived for the inner case, while the outer case is crafted in forged carbon. The inner and outer case and the bezel have undergone numerous tolerance tests to find the optimal relation between the three materials. A further challenge has been to establish the correct balance between the strength and lightness of the skeletonised carbon case.

The new SpidoLite II Tech is released in two series:

§   SpidoLite II Tech Gold - ALW inner case with skeletonised outer case in forged carbon and an 18 karat rose gold bezel and crown.

§   SpidoLite II Tech Green - ALW inner case with skeletonised outer case in forged carbon with ceramic bezel and titanium crown treated with a ceramic coating.

Case

ALW, carbon, ceramic, gold and ceramic coating.

LINDE WERDELIN is embracing new techniques and testing innovative solutions to achieve the ultimate sports timepieces.

"It has taken two years of research and assessments to finalise the ALW and carbon case construction" says co-founder Jorn Werdelin.

The inner case of the Spidolite II Tech is crafted in ALW. ALW is an alloy of metals which is 50% lighter than titanium. The inner case, which originally retains the same strength as steel, receives 25 microns treatment to harden its surface, while achieving a radiant red or green colour visible through the angular hollows of the skeletonised outer case sides. 2/3 of the treatment goes into the ALW, while 1/3 is applied onto the surface, resulting in a composite stronger than steel.

For the outer case of the SpidoLite II Tech, LINDE WERDELIN has developed a new technique to skeletonise the carbon, to guarantee the challenging balance between its strength and weight reduction.

"We have selected the forging method to secure an enduring structure of our tech cases", explains co-founder Morten Linde.

Forged carbon is made of chopped pieces of carbon fibres forced by pressure and mould into the skeletonised case. Since the fibres are not oriented in any particular direction, the finished part is strong all around, while remaining light.

The four screws on the case are in titanium and secured with tension disks in Hytrel, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer to provide flexibility and strength and protect the carbon.

On the SpidoLite II Tech Green the bezel is crafted in ceramic, satin finished with diamond stone.

The crown is made out of titanium with a newly employed ceramic coating, completed with satin finish to ensure extreme durability and strengthen its surface.

The SpidoLite II Tech Gold features 18 karat rose gold bezel and crown with a microbillé and satin finish.

Both series bear a new LW Spido signature on the crown.

"We engraved, for the first time, the serial number of each piece in the hollows of the skeletonised cases", adds Morten Linde. At 2 o'clock is engraved ALW, at 4 o'clock SL, at 8 o'clock 75 and at 10 o'clock the serial number of each piece.

Movement

The movement is visible through the dial where the upper part bears a black treatment on a perlage surface with blue screws. The engraved Spido icon and the black satin hand finished rotor bearing a gold or green LINDE WERDELIN marque are visible through the sapphire crystal case-back. The date wheels are treated with ceramic coating on SpidoLite II Tech Green and in rose gold on the SpidoLite II Tech Gold.

The SpidoLite II Tech is powered by the LW 04 custom-made mechanical automatic movement by Valérien Jaquet of Concepto; independent movement manufacture based in La Chaux de Fonds.

Dial

The dial consists of two skeletonized layers. The Côtes de Genève lower dial carries the LINDE WERDELIN logo and is laser-cut, revealing angular hollows conveying depth to the dial. The upper dial bears the luminova indexes.

The red or green date wheel, with opening at 3 o'clock matches the second's sub-dial numerals at 9 o'clock.

SpidoLite II Tech Gold is available in limited series of 75 pieces, retailing at $19,300.

SpidoLite II Tech Green is available in limited series of 75 pieces, retailing at $14,800.

Technical Specifications

SpidoLite II Tech

Numbered Series 75

Case:

Outer case crafted in forged carbon with matt finish / Inner case crafted in ALW with 25 microns treatment and microbillé and satin finish / Constructed with 19 components / 2.2mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal / See-through sapphire crystal in back case / Ceramic coating treated on titanium screw in crown / Spido icon and sub-dial engravings

Dimensions:

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

Dial:

Two-part skeletonised upper dial / Côtes de Genève lower dial / Luminova indexes / Date wheel red or green / Hours, minutes, and sub-dial for seconds / Steel hands with luminova

Movement:

LW 04 custom-made mechanical automatic movement by Concepto / 42 hours power reserve / Balance frequency: 28,800vph, 4Hz

Water Resistance:

100m

Strap:

SpidoLite black textured calfskin strap with red or green stitching and ardillon buckle, interchangeable within LINDE WERDELIN's proprietary strap system.

Press Release