Marcus Hanke's Baselworld 2011 report on Linde Werdelin's SpidoSpeed chronograph offers a detailed first look at this significant new release. His review highlights the brand's design philosophy, focusing on the skeletonized steel case and the innovative sandwich dial structure. This article synthesizes community feedback on the watch's ergonomics and movement, providing a comprehensive perspective for collectors.
Basel 2011 Novelty report
Linde Werdelin
by Marcus Hanke
This
year, the small Danish watch manufacturer presents its first
chronograph. Two years ago, when the fascinating SpidoLite was launched,
it had been the clear priority to save weight: the result was a highly
skeletonized titanium case with a weight of only 29 grams!
Now, the reduced weight was not the driving force behind
the new “SpidoSpeed” chronograph. Consequently, the case material used
is not the lightest one, but highly solid: stainless steel. this watch
proudly wears its skeletonized case as a design feature: Like a
complicated scaffold it entwines around the inner structure, which is
barely more than a water tight container for the movement. Somehow, it
reminds me of the home tree in James Cameron’s “Avatar”. Of course, also
the SpidoSpeed permits the docking of the electronic instrument
modules, like all other Linde Werdelin watches.
The pushers are well integrated and protected by the case design
The
dial, too, is far from conventional: A finely crafted sandwich
structure permits some tiny glimpses on the underlying movement: Unlike
the jigsaw dial fashion that is currently so popular in the watch
industry, the SpidoSpeed only suggests a hint that something is moving
under the dial; as so often, well-made disguise is more attractive than
nudity ...
The
abandonment of the date, while compromising everyday usefulness a bit,
is a clear gain for the dial design: it appears clear and very strong in
its outlines. One thing that I dislike, though, is the lack of
legibility of the 30 minutes-counter. The tiny dots that appear to be
the minute increments, are too far inwards to be of use in connection
with the counter’s wide hand, and also lack the clear marking of the
five minute steps. This may be overly nitpicky, but in my opinion, a
chronograph is still an instrument for precision time measurements.
Consequently, its legibility must serve this purpose, and if this is not
the case, I will not refrain from criticizing this; be the addressee’s
name Linde Werdelin, Zenith, Chopard, or whatever else.
The
holes in the subdial quote the disc brakes of modern sports cars. Light
grey Super Luminova is responsible for legibility in the dark, and the
small "R" at 4.5 hours marks the time when the batteries of the "Reef"
and "Rock" instruments are fully recharged
At first sight,
the movement looks rather unique, but on close inspection, the
displayback reveals the well-known Valjoux 7753, albeit in a
substantially reworked version.
While
the SpidoSpeed is Linde Werdelin’s only completely new watch this year,
the electronic instruments “Reef” and “Rock” have seen some
improvements; an own software engineering department is responsible for
frequent updates.
A black DLC version is also available
Watch
novelties left aside, we also longingly expected the sequel of Linde
Werdelin’s graphic novel “The perfect Five”. Part two of the
action-loaded comic (more explosions and gunfights this year!) is very
thrilling. This, and the comic-style illustrated catalogue are real
collectibles, and a joy to read and study.
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2011-04-26 06:44:24 This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-04-29 01:58:21 
