Since my review on the Linde Werdelin 3-Timer, a number of people asked me how the size of the 3-Timer compares to an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore. Although I answered them that the Linde Werdelin is a bit more flat on the wrist and less ‘in your face’, last weekend I had borrowed an AP ROO Safari for a review and decided to take a side-by-side picture with the Linde Werdelin. As you can see, the dimensions of the Linde Werdelin are comparable to the AP ROO Safari when it comes to width and length, but the height is quite different. The Linde Werdelin is a bit less ‘in your face’ than the Royal Oak Offshore. As Kristian Haagen wrote on my Facebook photo album (where I put this picture as well): “Great pair! They should marry instantly. They will have beautiful children.” I wholeheartedly agree.

Of course, you can expect a review of the AP ROO Safari here soon

This news came in yesterday evening, a new Linde Werdelin Oktopus model with a Moonphase Complication. The Oktopus was introduced during BaselWorld 2009 and during my interview with them I was able to fiddle around with it a bit. The bezel with embossed numerals reminded me a bit about my precious Rolex Yacht-Master, and which I therefore really like. This new titanium Oktopus features a solid rose gold bezel, together with the moonphase complication the ultimate luxury diving watch.

If you have a pale skin like me, you know you have to stay away from gold watches. However, a rose gold bezel on a titanium case will suit you fine. It is actually the only possibility for me to wear a gold watch.

Also this time, Morten Linde and Jorn Werdelin got help from Svend Andersen (like he did with the SpidoLite SA models) to work on the complicated automatic movement based on Frederic Piguet caliber 1150. The moon disc is made out of Super Luminova, which will make sure it is visible during every time of the day (or night). Svend Andersen built this moonphase complication based on the date feature of the Piguet movement, allowing to show a countdown to the next full moon. The transparent sapphire case back of the Oktopus reveals the Andersen-modified Piguet movement. The titanium watch is water resistant to 888 meters and includes an automatic helium escape valve located on 9 o’clock in the case.

Normally, Linde Werdelin watches are limited to either 22, 44, 88 or 222 pieces each. However, the LW Oktopus is also a bit different in this aspect. It is limited to 29 pieces, connoting to the days before the next full moon. The Oktopus Moonphase Complication will be available for pre-order in September 2010.

And now, for the specifications of this ultimate luxury diving watch:

Size
46mm (w) by 49mm (l) by 14mm (h)
Movement
Automatic mechanical Frederic Piguet movement calibre 1150,
Linde Werdelin & Andersen Geneve personalised oscillator
72 hour power reserve / 28 jewels / 28,800 bpm
Moonphase complication by Svend Andersen with luminous photorealistic moon
phases and moonphase countdown, manually adjustable by second crown position
Case
Titanium gr. 5, microbille finish
Screw on case-back with sapphire crystal
Rose gold unidirectional turning bezel with 10 minute markings & Super Luminova
marker at 12 o’clock
3.8mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Screw in crown with LW logo
Helium escape valve at 9 o’clock
Dial
Black matt dial
Arabic numerals rose gold plated applied indexes with Super LumiNova
Hands
Rose gold plated, diamond cut rhodium plated with applied Super LumiNova
Water Resistance
888m / 2913 ft
Strap
Black alligator strap with titanium ardillon buckle

After a week of fun in the snow (wearing my Linde Werdelin 3-Timer), it is time to get back to work and back to blogging about watches. During my vacation, the invitations for BaselWorld and press releases are flooding my mailbox. So beware of some frequent updates here at Fratellowatches. Furthermore, an Orient review is coming up. Although I never took a serious look at Orient watches before, it seems to be a lot of bang for the buck. More this week!

As you can see above, I shot some pictures of my Linde Werdelin timepiece during the holiday. Although I am not particularly careful with this watch, it seems to be hard to get any scratches on this baby. Just recently, a reader of my blog asked me about the Linde Werdelin and if it was a scratch magnet…  Well, it is not. After owning it for several months now, the scratches on my Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and IWC Ingenieur are far more present (and visible). I don’t think there is even one scratch on the LW. Nice eh?

Back to answering a lot of unread e-mail on my Mac.

Although I have mentioned the Linde Werdelin SpidoLite SA All Black before (click here), I never really published about it, since I don’t want to become too biased. On the other hand, this blog represents my own interest in watches and brands, so why not? Fellow Dutchman Martin Wilmsen’s website (WristWatchPhoto), normally dedicated to Panerai watches, mentioned the SpidoLite SA All Black a few days ago. I was blown away by the pictures he took and he told me I could use them for my own blog if I wanted to. Well, here you go. The full set of pictures can be found at his other web initiative, PaneristiPix.com.

The SpidoLite SA All Black DLC version was introduced on the 15th of October 2009, retailing at 9.800 Euro. This DLC’ed titanium watch is limited to 88 pieces world wide, and is available for pre-order via the Linde Werdelin website or through one of their distributors. Like all SpidoLite SA versions, the movement is a A.Schild caliber 1876 modified by Svend Andersen. The rotor, made from blue gold, is engraved with both the LW and Andersen Geneve logo. Svend Andersen is an independent watch maker, based in Geneva, and respected member of the AHCI (Horological academy of Independent Creators). Actually, Andersen is one of the founding members of the AHCI, an initiative from 1985 for (master) watch makers to demonstrate that watch making is more then meets the eye. Michael Clerizo covered Svend Andersen in his recently released book on watch making, Masters of Contemporary Watchmaking.

The SpidoLite has been designed to fulfil the need of professional mountaineers, to have a light weight wrist watch. Like all other Linde Werdelin time pieces, this one can also be extended with The Rock instrument for mountaineers or skiing fanatics. This All Black version has been coated with DLC (the normal version has a titanium grade 5 watch case) and features blued hands.

I think it is important to stretch that despite its size (dimensions: 46mm (w) by 49mm (l) by 12mm (h)), the Linde Werdelin watches wear very comfortably on the wrist.

Also, if you are Dutch, please visit www.horloge.com for more information on Linde Werdelin. Horloge Platform Nederland recently became Linde Werdelin’s official retailer in The Netherlands.

Photos courtesy of M.Wilmsen.

Since I got back from my honeymoon on the 13th of November, I am proudly wearing my Linde Werdelin 3-Timer with brown dial, no.13/22 (my birthday is on the 13th of April). Ofcourse, I already wrote an article on the prototype that Linde Werdelin sent me, but I thought it would be nice to do a small write-up on the final version as well.

The picture above shows three of my watches, all – in my opinion – similar in design and wear. My review doesn’t compare these three watches, since they each have their own pros and cons (and prices), but I included the photograph to show that a relative new brand can create such a great design that approaches the classic ‘Genta’ lines of the AP RO and IWC Ingenieur, without being a copy cat of these models.

Click here for the review on my Linde Werdelin 3-Timer