The fairly fresh Oktopus family of ruggedized divers has recently been updated with a fake Linde Werdelin Oktopus II Double Date automatic diving watch. As the name clearly states it, the watch now features a big date indicator at 12 hours. Compared to the concept model that was first revealed almost half a year ago at Baselwolrd 2012 trade show, the production-ready version sports a number of enhancements that slightly increase its legibility, but somehow detract from the grim appearance of the original. According to the watchmaking brand, the timekeeper’s oversized Arabic numerals, as well as the laser-cut digits on the Double Date disks, are covered with either blue (version in titanium and ceramic) or yellow (version in titanium, DLC-coated titanium and ceramic) paint.
The main change is, of course, the color scheme.
To further increase legibility, the hour and minute hands are additionally coated with custom-blended “cool grey” Superluminova paint.
Still, according to the company, the watch retained its superb ruggedness thanks to its five-part case design with the main watertight “hull” (it houses the modified Dubois Depraz caliber 14580 self-winding movement) and four outer parts secured together with 16 screws. As some of our readers noted back in 2009 when Linde Werdelin first introduced its Oktopus 1111m diving instrument, the 1111 meters water resistance rating of the original was totally overkill, so the second-generation Oktopus II has its WR index reduced to more legit 300 meters.
Comparing the Oktopus 1111m and the Oktopus II Double Date I can’t but notice that the new model has got slightly smaller in width and length (46 x 49 mm vs 44 x 46 mm respectively) albeit thicker increasing its height from 13.5 mm to more impressive 15.25 millimeters. Well, I don’t see any problem with that. It is a Linde Werdelin sproty copy watch, after all.
You have probably already noticed that the watch lost the usual rotating diving bezel in favor of a fixed one, which is attached to body with eight screws. The decision is perfectly logic considering that LW designed the watch to be used together with its famous “The Reef” diving computer that sits atop of the watch and does all the hard work when you go underwater.
Photos: Linde Werdelin
Linde Werdelin Oktopus II Double Date Automatic diving watch specification
Price: TBD
Movement: Automatic, Dubois Depraz caliber 14580, modified by Linde Werdelin, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 26
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: From 40 to 44 hours
Movement decoration: No data
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, big date
Case material: Titanium / DLC titanium
Bezel material: Ceramic / Rose gold
Crown material: Matches case with black rubber
Case shape: Rectangular
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 44.00 mm x 46.00 mm
Case height: 15.25 mm
Lug width: No data
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic, luminous
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Custom rubber strap in black or yellow
Crystal: Sapphire, 2.50 mm thick, antireflective
Case back: Screw-in, solid, engraved with octopus image
As for the availability, the timekeepers will be issued in three versions (including a variation with rose gold parts and accents), each limited to only 88 pieces. Prices are still to be announced, but the Linde Werdelin watch replica will surely be quite expensive.