The Linde Werdelin 3-Timer was already available in black, white and brown and now, they introduce a green version of this superb traveller’s time piece. Just like the brown version, it is limited to 22 pieces world wide.The watch has a proven and solid mechanical mechanism (ETA 2893-2) featuring a 2nd time zone hour hand and because of the 24h bezel, you can actually use it to point out a 3rd time zone as well. This 46mm x 49mm x 12mm (w x l x h) watch is not for everyone probably, but let me tell you that it doesn’t wear as big as the specifications let you think, as you can read in my review on the brown 3-Timer here.

The green dial 3-Timer comes with a black pointed calf strap and a deployant buckle to keep it put. However, if you are – just like me – not really a fan of deployant buckles, they have a ver nice Ardillion buckle as well. What I really like about this watch, is the dial pattern as shown below in a close-up image.

As I wrote before, the dial reminds me of a turtle shell, because the colour and the pattern changes very nicely. This is only the case on the brown (sold out) and this green version though. Further more, the ‘ears’ on this watch that can be used to connect a Reef or Rock instrument makes this watch remind me of a Patek Philippe Nautilus. Because of the size of the watch, you could define it as a cross-over “Nautilus Off-Shore”. Perhaps that explains the popularity of this specific model (the guys over Hodinkee can’t stop raving about this watch as well).

The 3-Timer is water resistant to 300 meters (1000 ft) and has a screw down crown mechanism. The bi-directional bezel is very pleasant to use (not the rattle system as on the former Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster Professional models) and the used font for displaying the hours on the bezel has been designed by Linde Werdelin as well.

Price of this green 3-Timer is 4920 Euro. Since it is restricted to 22 pieces world wide, I guess it will run out pretty fast.

As I wrote in a post on the 29th of November 2004, involvement of a brand’s CEO is a mighty marketing weapon. Not only Angelo Bonati (CEO Panerai) got the hang of it, also Jean Claude Biver of Hublot seem to know how it works. Hublot, which is present on the TZ forum since may 2005, is responding to a long winded post by a dissappointed customer of the All-Chocolate Hublot Big Bang watch. Forum moderator Mike Margolis (also Sales Director of Hublot for North-America) and Jean Claude Biver (CEO Hublot) give a fair response to fellow TZ visitor and Hublot-fan Ron (a.k.a. WatchRon). The full post by Ron can be read here: http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=msg&goto=3867474&rid=37687#msg_3867474.

In short, Ron ordered an ‘All-Chocolate’ Hublot Big Bang wrist watch, as pictured below. This watch was introduced during the Basel 2008 expo in Switzerland. As you can see, it is an all-brown Hublot Big Bang (44mm). At least, that’s how it was presented during the Basel fair. On the TZ forum, Ron complains that the watch he got delivered turns out to be not so all-brown.. The chronograph second hand is red and the date disc is white. Both should be brown, according to the prototype that was demonstrated to him. Ron had sent this watch back to Hublot to get the correct brown second hand and date disc wheel. Free of charge.

Both Mike Margolis and Jean Claude Biver react on the message posted by Ron, saying that they are terribly sorry and that it was purely a business decision to send out these not-so-brown watches, because not all parts came in on time at Hublot. Dealers wanted it now, they didn’t care about these details. Right or wrong, up to you… It is clear that JC Biver and his Sales Director of the USA create a lot of respect and goodwill amongst Hublot (Big Bang) adepts by participating actively on TZ.

Note: Mike Margolis used to be the Hublot Forum moderator, this task is now done by AMR_KSA. Thanks for the info Ron.