Linde Werdelin has launched a new decorative piece on which it collaborated with the renowned master engraver Johnny Dowell. The artist customized the existing model from the Oktopus collection with the recognizable realistic moon phase complication by heavily decorating it on all components of the housing with captivating engraving. The end result is a distinctive timekeeper called Linde Werdelin Oktopus Crazy Universe. The titanium housed watch is launched in a limited series of 50 copies and it has the price tag of around $20,130.
This model comes after another piece on which Linde Werdelin worked with Johnny Dowell – Oktopus Reef. Unlike the first collaborative piece which was inspired with the underwater world as it name suggests, the novel one is inspired by space. As the representatives of the watchmaker explained, this theme was chosen because it goes along well with the most important technical trait of the piece, its famed photorealistic moon phase indication. Unlike the complication itself, the decorations with the celestial inspiration seen all over the case are not made in the same manner. The representations of planets and stars are more comic strip-like. This comes as no surprise for the engraver whose alias is King Nerd. The end result is a unique and very interesting looking watch.
Linde Werdelin Oktopus Crazy Universe Watch and Linde Werdelin Oktopus Crazy Reef Watch
Furthermore, the engraver’s work on the new piece was made additionally hard with the choice of titanium grade 5 for the housing. The British master engraver (who previously worked with the industry giants such as Patek Philippe, Jaeger LeCoultre, Rolex and Panerai) was working on this tough material for the first time. As he admitted, after this experience, engraving metals such as gold, silver and even steel looks more like cutting butter.
The housing of Linde Werdelin Oktopus Crazy Universe consists of three parts made of titanium. Previously to engraving, the case was additionally treated. It was predominately done with a satin finish, as well as with some additional polished sections. The chunky and angled outer section of the case also has micro-beaded parts, while the screw-down crown with a protector features an engraved depiction of an octopus.
Just like the outer section and sides of the case, the fixed bezel of the watch which is held in place with eight screws is likewise covered with charming engravings by Johnny Dowell. It surrounds a round sapphire crystal which features anti-reflective treatment on the inner side. The case-back includes an engraved multilayered octopus motif, as well as the place of the specific number of the model in the 59-piece limited edition. Since the special series customizes the model which is intended for diving, it is not strange that Oktopus Crazy Universe features water resistance to 300 meters. When it comes to the size of the watch, it is important to know that its width is 44 mm, the length is 48 mm, while the thickness measures to 15 mm.
The decorated housing looks pretty well in the combination with a multi-layered, skeltonized and grilled dial whose sections are likewise made from titanium, just like the case of the watch. Different sections of the dial are embellished with finishes such as circular Cotes the Geneva motif and circular graining. Moreover, the dial includes three large Arabic numerals and blued hands which are all covered with blue Luminova coating for better visibility.
As for the bottom of the dial, it is reserved for the mentioned realistic moon phase display which shows the current state, as well as both past and future moon phases. This feature includes round perlage surface on a metallic blue moon disc.
Even though the most prominent trait of the watch are its distinctive decorations, it can also pride itself with a strong technical backbone. The caliber that stands at its core is a self-winding mechanical bespoke movement, a customized ensemble with Frederique Piguet 1150 caliber as a base movement. It beats at the frequency of 28,800 vph and includes the power reserve that lasts for around 44 hours.
The regular attachment for the limited edition newcomer from the Oktopus collection is a black rubber strap that locks with an ardillon buckle made from DLC coated titanium. As it is customary for all Linde Werdelin watches, the attachment is actually interchangeable with a range of different options. These include rubber straps in six other shades, a textile band, as well as various choices for leather attachments. Among them are calfskin, ostrich straps and alligator leather.
