Comments:
This message has been edited by Dave G on 2014-08-15 21:28:23
Zeitwinkel, Swiss watch brand with in house movement
I would be keen to hear from any member who has had experience of a reasonably new Swiss brand called Zeitwinkel
The manufacturer was created by two gentleman (Peter & Max) in 2006 and their first watch was released in 2009.
They have created their own in-house movement.
I met with Peter last week and we spoke at length about the brand & the Swiss watch business in general.
They produce approx 500 pieces per annum and the model that I an interested in is their 273 with the silver dial.
The base plate is produced using German silver.
I have added a link to their website and in particular the 273.
Please let me know your thoughts & any input from current or previous owners.
www.zeitwinkel.ch
Thank you
Kind Regards
Tony
[ corrected the link DCO 2.8.2014 ]
This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2014-08-02 04:08:44
The manufacturer was created by two gentleman (Peter & Max) in 2006 and their first watch was released in 2009.
They have created their own in-house movement.
I met with Peter last week and we spoke at length about the brand & the Swiss watch business in general.
They produce approx 500 pieces per annum and the model that I an interested in is their 273 with the silver dial.
The base plate is produced using German silver.
I have added a link to their website and in particular the 273.
Please let me know your thoughts & any input from current or previous owners.
www.zeitwinkel.ch
Thank you
Kind Regards
Tony
[ corrected the link DCO 2.8.2014 ]
This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2014-08-02 04:08:44
I'm affraid the link is wrong;-)
But their watches look fine, I'm unsure about their in-house movement. A truely in-house mov. with 500 pieces/year wouldn't be sustainable, as development might cost millions in CHF, if I'm correct. Do they sell movements for other brands?
Zeitwinkel movements
The Zeitwinkel movements were designed for Zeitwinkel by Les Artisans Horlogiers several years ago.
With the demise of Les Artisans Horlogiers I don't know who is producing them now, but as I understand the succession of the production of all the Les Artisans Horlogiers movements has been well taken care of. I see no problems there.
The watches are "nice", but for me at least, are missing "the certain something" that would make them interesting from a design point of view.
And, at least in German, I find their advertising tries to be too "cutesy" which I find to be a turn off.
If you should decide to go for one please write us a review. This is a brand we don't see much of.
Please tell us what you like and dislike, my taste is certainly not worth more than yours.
Don
With the demise of Les Artisans Horlogiers I don't know who is producing them now, but as I understand the succession of the production of all the Les Artisans Horlogiers movements has been well taken care of. I see no problems there.
The watches are "nice", but for me at least, are missing "the certain something" that would make them interesting from a design point of view.
And, at least in German, I find their advertising tries to be too "cutesy" which I find to be a turn off.
If you should decide to go for one please write us a review. This is a brand we don't see much of.
Please tell us what you like and dislike, my taste is certainly not worth more than yours.
Don
Zeitwinkel Movements
Les Artisans Horlogers were assigned with the development of two calibers for Zeitwinkel, but it was Zeitwinkel itself who conducted the "prototypage" and finished the construction of the movements in St-Imier and who is in charge of their production!
In January 2013 the big date mechanism of the model 273° was patented. Only four watch brands feature a large date on the left side of the dial which is much more complicated than on the right side.
May I recommend a nice article by Thierry Brandt: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=828657620487525&id=297178506968775
Regards,
Peter
In January 2013 the big date mechanism of the model 273° was patented. Only four watch brands feature a large date on the left side of the dial which is much more complicated than on the right side.
May I recommend a nice article by Thierry Brandt: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=828657620487525&id=297178506968775
Regards,
Peter
Thank you for the replies so far……
I hope to get a better look at the 273 next week.
I have to admit to being intrigued by the brand from the moment that I saw an article about both the watch and the brand.
Advertising, I am pleased to say doesn't worry me in the slightest.
I am far more interested in the actual watches.
Zeitwinkel...
http://www.zeitwinkel.ch/zeitwinkel/5-reasons-for-zeitwinkel/?L=1
Or Google 'zeitwinkel watches' or similar. Very nice watches. Vive la Suisse!
=8^{D>
I have a 181° model that I bought a few years ago...
Stylistically it is quite conservative, and at 42.5mm fills my wrist. I bought it from an AD when I lived in Kuala Lumpur who was very knowledgeable and we spent a lot of time discussing the firm, construction of the watch, etc.
The movement is what attracted me to buy one. The company lists the movement as manufacture caliber ZW0102. It features German silver bridges, a 72 hour power reserve, hand decoration, etc.
From the Zeitwinkel website:
Data Zeitwinkel 181°
| Manufacturer | Zeitwinkel Montres S.A., CH St-Imier |
| Model | Zeitwinkel 181° |
| Functions | Displays hour, minute, sweep second |
| and date | |
| Running autonomy | >72 h |
| Case | |
| Material | Stainless steel 316 L |
| Height | 11.7 mm |
| Diameter | 42.5 mm |
| Glass | Saphire, convex & with anti-reflection on interior |
| Back | Saphire with anti-reflection on interior |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM |
| Crown | Ø 6.70 mm, Bi-O-ring seal, 12 grooves |
| Dial | Galvanic black / Galvanic silver |
| Appliqués facetted & diamond-worked | |
| Small second with guilloches | |
| Hands | Facetted & diamond-worked |
| Small second polished / thermally blued | |
| Strap | |
| Leather | Hand sewn calfskin leather strap |
| With flawless Louisiana alligator structure | |
| Brown / black / blue / grey | |
| Rubber | Black / blue |
| Impulse | 20 mm |
| Clasp | |
| Leather strap | Folding clasp with Zeitwinkel engraving |
| Rubber strap | Folding clasp with applied logo |
Data movement ZW0102
| Caliber | ZW0102 |
| Version | Zeitwinkel 181° |
| Manufacturer | Zeitwinkel Montres S.A., CH St-Imier |
| Functions | Automatic winding |
| Small second | |
| Balance stop | |
| Quick date setting | |
| Diameter | 13½ lines, 30.40 mm |
| Height | 5.70 mm |
| Winding | Rotor, bidirectional winding |
| Running autonomy | >72 h |
| Bridge and plate material | German silver |
| Bearing jewels | 28 – version small second |
| Balance | Glucydur |
| Spiral | Straumann |
| Frequency | (4Hz) 28800 alternations / h |
| Impact resistance | Incabloc |
| Adjustment | Regulated in five stages |
| Decoration | Screws chamfered and polished |
| ¾ plate and balance cock with Geneva | |
| Stripes (Côtes de Genève) | |
| Pearlage on interior surfaces of plates and | |
| bridges | |
| Lining on wheel bridge and rotor | |
| Edges of ¾ plate and bridges | |
| chamfered and polished |
This message has been edited by Dave G on 2014-08-15 21:28:23
Thanks Dave……..
Thanks Dave for both your input & photos.
I would be very interested to read what your thoughts are, about the watch.
Are you pleased with it etc?
I did the 273, but due to a delay with the delivery, courier fault, unfortunately the watch arrived within hours of me leaving on holiday, until the end of the month.
So, it is sitting at home awaiting my return
I owned a 082 (which i'm now selling).
However, my particular example was 39mm which was very good for my 6.25 inch wrist. The dial is interesting but I think it's a matter of taste, the 273 and 181 have plain dials which I think suit the overall sober characteristic of the watch better than the "monogram" style dial mine has. There's no doubt the company has a lot going for it, I just don't know if they've captured enough of a niche in a horological world where simply being good is not always good enough.