Launched in 2006 by Morten Linde and Jorn Werdelin, Linde Werdelin watches bring together Swiss watchmaking and innovative Danish design and technology. The company specializes in producing small watch series between 22 and 222 pieces for each model. For 2010 Linde Werdelin is launching a new series called SpidoLite, one version of which offers something special: a NOS (new, old stock) A. Schild caliber 1876 movement modified by renowned Danish watchmaker Svend Andersen.
Andersen is a legend in watchmaking circles. In 1969 he was dubbed “Watchmaker of the Impossible” at the Montres & Bijou show for his “clock in a bottle” – essentially a large pocket watch movement with dial assembled inside a glass bottle with a narrow neck (the dial was made in strips linked together inside the bottle). The achievement took Andersen to the complications department at Patek Philippe where we worked with the company’s most accomplished watchmakers. In 1979 Andersen opened his own workshop, and Patek promptly hired him to restore prized watches from the company’s private collection. In 1985, Andersen co-founded the AHCI with Vincent Calabrese. Over the last 29 years, he has created more than 100 unique watches, including the world’s smallest calendar watch, certified by the Guinness Book of Records in 1989.
Linde Werdelin’s SpidoLite case is a good match for Andersen’s technical skills. It embodies Colin Chapman’s famous approach to race car design: add lightness. The titanium case has been drilled to remove excess material, leaving just a durable frame. The “lightening” process leaves the case with distinctive hollowed, angular, polygonal facets throughout. The dial is also skeletonized to reveal the movement beneath. The sapphire crystal caseback displays the movement with a blue gold rotor bearing the LW and AG (Andersen Geneve) logos. “We wanted to make an even more functional watch for the sports enthusiasts and professionals without however compromising on design”, says Morten Linde, co-founder and Creative Director of the brand. He continues saying, “It took us a couple of years to perfect this technique which is based on the simple idea of removing all parts that are not needed on a watch case. The result is a much lighter and aesthetically pleasing case”.
The launch of the SpidoLite SA also signals the beginning of Linde Werdelin’s collaboration with independent watchmakers whereby every year a new movement will be introduced for one new limited model. “We are very excited about the collaboration with Svend Andersen. Svend has been one of the most well-respected watchmakers for decades and is on top of that Danish, which obviously for us is of relevance” says Jorn Werdelin.
The MSRP for the SpidoLite SA Skeleton Dial with titanium case is $11,970. The black DLC version is $12,310, and in rose gold the price is $22,000.
Technical specifications appear below the images, which may be enlarged with a click.
Technical Specifications for SpidoLite Skeleton Dial
Size: 46mm (w) by 49mm (l) by 12mm (h)
Movement: NOS Automatic movement (AS 1876 calibre) modified by Andersen Geneve Atelier to include blue-gold rotor plate engraved with LW & AG logos
– 42 hour power reserve
Case: Titanium gr.5 drilled case with microbille finish
– See through sapphire crystal case-back
– Anti-reflective sapphire crystal (2.2mm)
– Screw in crown with LW logo
Dial: Skeleton titanium grey galvanic matt dial
– 4 Super LumiNova filled indexes
Hands: Super LumiNova
Water Resistance: 300M / 1000ft
Strap: SpidoLite alligator strap with titanium ardillon buckle
