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Linde Werdelin Presents the Lightest Crafted Carbon Case

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August 2013


SpidoLite II Tech Green has been crafted with the most high-tech materials in an advanced development to achieve the strongest and lightest case to date. The ultra light case weighing just 33g combines Alloy Linde Werdelin “ALW”, a metal composite developed for the aerospace industry and for the first time in a watch case, with carbon, ceramic, and the new ceramic coating for titanium in a fully skeletonised structure. It comes with a bespoke black calfskin strap with matching green stitching. Limited to 75 pieces worldwide.

Linde Werdelin’s signature case structure allows a beautifully finished custom-made automatic movement at the heart to reveal through the skeleton dial and a clear sapphire crystal case back. The SpidoLite II Tech is crafted in ALW and carbon to further reduce weight yet increase robustness making it ideal for even extreme altitude sports.

SpidoLite II Tech Green by Linde Werdelin
SpidoLite II Tech Green by Linde Werdelin

The Idea

In the last two years Linde Werdelin has tested and developed new materials and composites that best suit the purpose of each LW timepiece. The new SpidoLite II Tech is a result of this experimental approach. Featuring Linde Werdelin’s signature fully skeletonised case and dial construction inspired by F1 car’s weight reduction technology, the SpidoLite II is crafted in ALW, Alloy Linde Werdelin, and forged in carbon to further reduce weight yet in a robust structure making it ideal for even the extreme altitude sports experience.

The Case

The inner case of the Spidolite II Tech is crafted in ALW. ALW, Alloy Linde Werdelin, is a metal alloy/composite almost 50% lighter than titanium, developed for the aerospace industry for the first time and exclusively used in watch case production by LW. The inner case, which originally retains the same strength of steel, receives 25 microns treatment to harden its surface, while achieving a radiant green colour visible through the angular hollows of the skeletonised outer case sides. 2/3 is applied inside the material, while 1/3 is on the surface, resulting further strength than steel. Linde Werdelin has developed a new technique to skeletonise the carbon outer case, appropriately to guarantee the challenging balance between its strength and weightlessness. Forged carbon is the result of chopped pieces of carbon fibres forced by pressure and mould into the skeletonised case. Since the fibres aren’t oriented in any particular direction, the finished part is strong all around, while remaining light. The 4 titanium screws on the case are secured with Hytrel tension disks, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer to provide the flexibility and strength and protect the carbon. The SpidoLite II Tech Green features a titanium bezel and crown treated with ceramic coating, with a microbillé and satin finish bearing a new LW Spido signature on the crown. For the first time the serial number and details of each piece are engraved in the hollows of the skeletonised cases.

The Dial

The movement is visible through the dial where the upper part bears a black treatment on a perlage surface with blue screws. The engraved Spido icon and the black satin hand finished rotor bearing a gold or green Linde Werdelin marque are visible through the sapphire crystal case-back. The date wheels are treated with ceramic coating. The SpidoLite II Tech is powered by the LW 04 custom-made mechanical automatic movement by Valérien Jaquet of Concepto; independent movement manufacture based in La Chaux de Fonds.

The Movement

The LW 04, caliber 2251, powers the SpidoLite II Tech; custom-made by Concepto, the independent movement manufacture based in La Chaux de Fonds. The movement is visible through the dial as well as through the sapphire crystal case-back. On the front and back of the movement it’s finished with a circular perlage and engraved with the Spido icon. The black rotor bears a green Linde Werdelin marque.

All the screws in the movement are blued steel and have been implemented because of their high anti-corrosion properties and to enhance the beauty of the movement. The result is achieved with a slow and cautious heating process.

Source: Linde Werdelin