Horological Meandering

Of course, the most time of us watch show journalists is dedicated to the “usual suspects”; be it the famous independents, or the major watch manufacturers. Each media has its own main focus of interest, appropriate to its target group. For PuristSPro, this focus not necessarily lies on the most famous manufacturers, but on those whose products and company philosophy matches best our quest for perfection and purity - whatever this may be ...

Anyway, it is of course necessary to keep an eye on the small, lesser known, or even completely unknown brands and newcomers. These could be the Purist brands of tomorrow, and more than once we found highly interesting designs and ideas realised by such small companies.

For this year, I want to present you a very small and new manufacturer of sports watches. - Yawn, you might say - or rather express your boredom with. However, falling asleep now will make you miss an interesting novelty, I assure you.

The ideas behind Linde Werdelin were conceived by Morten Linde and Jorn Werdelin in 2002, followed by the official foundation of the brand in 2006. It can be truly called a European brand: While both, Linde, the designer, and Werdelin, the businessman, are Danish, the company is located in the United Kingdom, and uses Swiss watch technology. The goal behind the cooperation of the two gentlemen was the creation of a sports watch system, rather than of just another sports watch. This system should combine the advantages of the variety of information that can be collected and presented by electronic systems, with the solidness and classic feel of an analogue watch with mechanical movement.

Unfortunately, the first years of the brand activities went unnoticed of "purist" horology enthusiasts, despite its innovative approaches. However, the most certain way to catch purists' attention is to cooperate with an independent watchmaker, or better even, a member of the prestigious AHCI. This is what Linde and Werdelin did, approaching another Danish, the famous watchmaker and AHCI founding member Svend Andersen, and asking him to make a watch movement for them. The announcement alone worked well, since it stirred some interest in the watch lovers' communities. It was also the reason why I undertook the search for the small booth.

Here is the new watch in question, called SpidoLite. The constructive goal was to create a mechanical watch that is as light as possible. While using titanium as case material is a good starting point, Linde Werdelin achieved a hitherto unknown degree of lightness by fully skeletonising the case itself, leaving only what is necessary to keep the watch structurally stable and water tight to 300 meters. The result is a case weight of only 29 grams! For a limited edition of 44 pieces, Linde Werdelin even skeletonised the dial.


This is also the edition using the Svend Andersen movement you already have heard about. In fact, Linde Werdelin of course could not undertake the task of having a completely new movement designed and tested from scratch. Instead, Andersen took a batch of 1970s selfwinding movements, the A. Schild AS 1876, and completely reworked it. A new balance and fine regulator was added, as well as a new rotor with its bearing. Additionally, all parts were decorated and coated. Thus the old movement became able to reach a high degree of accuracy. All other watches in the LW collection are using the tried ETA 2892/3 A2 selfwinding movements.



In my opinion though, the truly interesting with this brand is not the old, rejuvenated movement. Rather the system as a whole is what makes Linde Werdelin really unique on the sports watch market. Every LW watch shares some common design features on the case; this being the general dimensions (except the height, which differs according to the water tightness rating), outlines, and the four depressions in the case flanks. These serve for attachment and locking of digital modules, which can be set on the top of the watch. Why should anybody want to do this?


As I already have mentioned, the principle idea behind the LW sports watch system is to have a reliable and attractive mechanical watch, but to also have a digital sensor pack full of functions added, whenever necessary. An electronic module can measure so many data, and present the readings in a highly legible way.

This ability is especially needed for diving. Therefore, the most important digital module for LW watches is called "The Reef", and is nothing less than a veritable diving computer; complete with depth gauge, decompression chronograph, with alarm function when the decompression intervals are not followed, dive algorithms, water temperature, compass, and a logbook function, showing all the recorded data of the previous dives. While the module's battery is charged on an adapter, the user can also connect it with a PC by USB, and transfer the data to a logbook software.


Most divers use diving computers now, and take a mechanical diving watch with them, as a backup. Any instrument depending on electrical energy can fail in sudden temperature changes, when the stored energy is not enough. Therefore, a mechanical backup watch can save lives. With the Linde Werdelin system, the diver simply unplugs the digital module from the watch, and has the backup underneath.


Not only divers are taken care for, but also climbers and skiers, mountain bikers and other outdoor activists. A smaller module, called "The Rock", adds a compass, barometric altimeter, chronograph, inclination reading, and an external temperature sensor. Unlike other thermometers integrated into watches, this sensor does not measure the wrist temperature, but is external, and can be clipped anywhere with a karabiner hook. It communicates with the digital module by a 2.4 GHz wireless sensor network.


Additionally, "The Rock" warns from frostbites, avalanches and weather trends, and even includes a ski guide database (currently several resorts in France, Italy and Switzerland). Its log book can also be transferred to a computer. Both modules are prepared to accept a GPS receiver, which will be implemented shortly. The nice thing is that the digital part can be upgraded, and is not that expensive to be replaced, even if it is damaged beyond repair. They are offered in various finishes and colours.

Under either "The Reef" or "The Rock", one can wear the SpidoLite already mentioned, or the other three models offered in the Linde Werdelin collection. the most elegant of them is the 3-Timer, which adds a 24 hours hand and a separately bi-directionally turning bezel with 24 hours markings. This permits to read three different time zones.


A bit more bold is the design of the standard dive and sports watch, simply dubbed "The One", and my personal favourite. It is rated to 300 meters depth, has larger luminous hands and markers than the 3-Timer, and a diver bezel.


Finally, the "Oktopus" is the specialised diving watch, with a substantially thicker case and a 4mm sapphire crystal, resulting in a rating down to 1,111 meters, or 3,333 feet. For the larger markers, the date window had to be sacrificed.

I think Linde Werdelin is a highly interesting niche brand. Unlike many other products I saw in Basel, designated sports watches, the LW concepts bear the traces of real experience. I hope to see that development to be pursued further. So, did I make false promises? You have to admit: Falling asleep because of "'ye another sports watch brand" would have been a mistake here, wouldn't it?

Regards,
Marcus

This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2009-04-10 13:04:20

 

This message has been edited by MTF on 2009-04-14 07:48:34 This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2009-04-15 00:19:23

even though I'll probably never ever use one of these in the future since I don't go diving. 

I checked out their website and they have a "Try It For Free" program on their steel Element watch where you can test the watch and diving instrument for 5 days at no cost.  Too bad this program doesn't apply to the SpidoLite. 

Thanks for the rundown on this relatively new and unknown brand Marcus!

Cheers,
Anthony

Marcus,

Thank you for this report.  I think the SpidoLite case design is the most interesting introduction since the Royal Oak Offshore.  I hope one day a version will be released equipped with a mechanical chronograph.

Park

Very nice report, much more understandable then their internet site.

I'm actually contemplating ordering the speadolite.  I agree that for once it is a rather succesfull design.

Regards,

 

George

The Skeletonized Spidolite is ultra-cool.  I especially like the unique design of the connection between the case and strap in all the models.

The parallel visible screws are a nice signature touch.  

Another great report and pictures. Thank you

 

This message has been edited by pingtsai on 2009-04-10 22:48:04

Big fan of LW. The 3 Timer looks great.

PuristSPro management was intrigued by the hybrid conjoining of analogue and digital display.  In fact, we asked the same question of Chopard LUC President K-F Schuefele, who did not rule out such hybrid displays from his products....."if there was an advantage".

After careful analysis of their objectives and somewhat purist approach, we were glad to make a deeper study of Linde Werdelin.  We sent our undercover agent Herr Doktor Professor Hanke off to Basel with a secondary mission.....seek out Linde Werdelin! 

Indeed, the good Professor has not disappointed;  his report is far more understandable than the LW website!

Regards,

MTF

 

...in real information, but I do love their little superhero/secret agent cartoon drawings!  LW seems to be a brand to watch.

Cheers,

Daos

nt

For the urban adventurer
Really just a GPS module, maybe with a pedometer function.  Something for those of us "athletes" who never leave the city!
A

The Spidolite is an attractive design, although I'd have to pass based on the legibility of the dial.  I tend to need a bit more contrast and/or indicators on the dial in order to tell time (This is probably my own personal shortcoming!).  Of the models presented I like "The One" best, because of its high-tech presence and easy-to-read dial.  The strap integration on all the models is a great design feature.  For folks who really dive or participate in extreme sports, being able to couple the various computer modules with their mechanical LW watch is an added bonus.  I give credit to LW for choosing to marry digital and analog technology in this way.

Thanks, Marcus!

Daos

Very informative.

Cheers

if it had GPS andf a decent battery life.

for the great report. Had checked out their website a few weeks back and was pleasantly surprised to see several models that i would not mind owning.

Gotta love the Two Timer Red dial. And i think there probably is no trial period for the SpidoLite due to the fact it is a pre-order item.

Although I am surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, I am not a diver, which brings me to a couple of questions:

• What is the purpose of the UV filter foil? Does it make it easier to see udnerwater?

• Is the diving instrument rated to the same depth as the relative model? For instance, if someone purchases the SpidoLite rated at 300 meters or the Oktopus rated at 1,111 meters, does the instrument have the same, respective rating?

Would have loved to see some wrist shots with and without the additional instruments.

Thanks, again.

Bob

ad 1) I assume the UV foil is just a gag, and changes the watch appearance nicely. But it has no real function. IN earlier years, it happened that the luminous mass on hands and dials became greyish, as a result of UV radiation. By using better clear binding lacquer, this problem was solved. So if reach a point where you have to start worrying about the effect of UV radiation on your watch, I'd rather not look into a mirror any more ...

ad 2) No, the "The Reef" digital module only comes in one water tightness rating, 200 meters. This is enough even for professional divers. Unlike us watch-lunatic desk divers, they know what they really need, and live well without any multi-thousand meter tightness ratings on their equipment.

Best regards,
Marcus