Horological Meandering

A long-awaited Linde Werdelin Spidolite arrived yesterday, and I am pleased to share some prelimary observations and photographs.  44 numbered examples of this watch are to be produced.

Impression #1:  The watch is awesome!  Every aspect of the case and buckle is angular, modern, masculine, and cool-looking.

Impression #2:  It fits beautifully.  The lugs span a slightly shorter distance than a standard-sized Offshore, and the case is not nearly as thick as that of an Offshore.  It will fit wrists on which an Offshore hangs over the sides.  The rubber strap is flexible and beautifuly integrated with the bracelet.

Impression  #3:  It is light as a feather.  The skeletonized  titanium case and buckle, the skeletonized dial, and the rubber strap all contribute to this remarkable lightness.

Impression #4:  While I am not competent to comment on the finish of a movement, particularly one touched by Svend Andersen, I do see that the blue gold rotor is an eye-catching and special touch.

Impression #5:  Linde Werdelin may be based in the U.K., but the case of this watch is in the tradition of the great Danish designers.  It is functional, light, great-looking, and austere. 

Impression #6:  If the bead-blasted finish of the titanium is like others I have owned, this is not a watch one will want to have come into contact with metal or other hard surfaces.  In my experience with other brands, it is all too easy to remove the surface texture, leaving a shiny scratch that can only be removed by refinishing the entire part.

I'll let the photos do the rest of the communicating on this great piece, and I'd refer anyone who wants to learn more or see better photographs to the Baselworld 2009 post by Marcus Hanke.

I can't wait for Linde Werdelin to make a 12-hour chronograph in a similar case!

Park

Park-

Thanks for the great write-up. It is great to see more wrist shots of this watch as the specs on paper make it seem much too large but in person, seems like it wears much smaller. I am waiting for The One, due in January. Enjoy!

DSD,

The first wrist shot is mine, 7".  For comparison, I remove 3 links from an Offshore.

The second wrist shot is that of a friend who removes 2 links from an Offshore.

Park

 

Hi Park

Unfortunately for me now I am going to have to get even more acquainted  to the brand.  There is nothing like actual testimonials that inspire me to dig in.  I have always liked the look but I have yet to handle one in the flesh.  I will be sure to do that in the near future based on your kind review and photo essay.

Being a big Sinn fan for the robust nature and an admirer of the AP offshore I a square in the demographics of this line. 

Best for 2010.

Bill

Really like the aesthetics of this watch. Not a huge fan of the Spidolight but the case design on the One, Three-Timer, etc seems wonderfully done and really appeals to me. Certainly has a Genta-influence but is still unique in and of itself - sort of a combo between a Royal Oak and Nautilus. I love that they developed a wonderful case design and have stuck to it in subsequent versions. Really a great looking watch, IMO. I don't think I'd have occasion to use the attachments but I love the watch for itself.

Bill,

I don't think you will be disappointed by it in the metal.  Whether the watch is actually "robust" remains to be seen, but it does share a robustness of appearance with the others you mention, and I, too, find this quality attractive.  I find it difficult to imagine being satisified with a watch that looks or seems delicate or fragile.

Park

 

Happy new Year Park!

Thanks for the initial impressions and pics.  The lightening cuts to the case and the buckle design are really interesting and look forward in seeing one in person.  Looking forward to your long term report. 

-MW

Ming,

I'm glad you like it.  I think I know why the lightening cuts appeal to both of us.  In this instance, I don't think there need be any concern for a loss of structural integrity, but I do worry about that with certain lightened slides and frames in our other hobby, where I think cuts not intended by the designers pose a risk of catastrophic failure.

Park

 

Thanks for your preliminary impressions. 

One question, how do you like the rubber strap?  Is it too stiff or too flimsy?

Cheers,
Anthony

Anthony,

The rubber strap seemed perfect to me.  The flexibility seems about the same as that on the Survivor, but the angle of attachment to the case leads me to think it will fit somewhat smaller wrists than a Survivor.  There is an interesting design detail on the free end of the strap that I couldn't capture adequately but that illustrates further the careful attention to design that went into this piece.

Park

 

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That's a very good looking watch.

Thanks for sharing.

Vte

What a great looking watch! Congratulations and thanks for sharing your impressions.

its much more interesting than the offshore survivor and looks very nice on ur wrist,  if the case back rotor could get some magic(for example de bethue DB5 like) than it is a very completed piece to MHO

Thanks for sharing,
Ed~
This message has been edited by lien on 2010-01-01 19:03:47

I think the Survivor also represents outstanding design!

Park 

ur wrist fit them both pretty well lol! 

its prob just me, the round holes on the left hand side of the survivor lug looks odd to me cause the whole watch is angular...
Nevertheless i have been told its a design cue taken from a shotgun

Cheers,
Ed~

I have yet to see any Linde Werdelin watches in person, but they do have a very attractive, strong personality in pictures.  Yours is quite handsome, and looks good on your wrist.  Of the current LW watches I like The One best.  I also think the straps are super fun.

Enjoy your new timepiece!

Cheers,

Daos