One of the most established newer brands in the sports watch space, Linde Werdelin was founded 14 years ago and made its name with mechanical watches featuring a removable digital module with dedicated functions for activities like diving and climbing.

Now entirely focused on purely mechanical watches, the brand’s latest is a dive watch with an unusual complication – the limited-edition Oktopus MoonLite. Based on the existing Oktopus Moon, the MoonLite is distinguished by the case material, which is made of Alloy Linde Werdelin.

Initial thoughts

The Oktopus MoonLite is very much in the usual Linde Werdelin style, which is a futuristic, aggressive look that brings to mind watches like the Grand Seiko SBGA405 Godzilla 65^th Anniversary and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept. Though large at 44 mm wide, the watch will no doubt be light thanks to the case material. And the color of the case goes exceptionally well with that of the dial, which results in an avant-garde watch that is also the most legible of the Oktopus Moon models to date.

Priced at a little over US$14,000 – quite a lot of money for what it is – the Oktopus MoonLite perhaps justifiably priced considering the limited production and proprietary case material. Nonetheless, the bold styling and “indie” status of Linde Werdelin make the MoonLite an unusual proposition – an oversized, contemporary sports watch from an independent brand, which will appeal to collectors who enjoy luxury-sports watches but want something off the beaten path.

Alloy Linde Werdelin

The case of the Oktopus MoonLite is in the brand’s signature form, a tonneau-shape characterised by heavily-faceted surfaces and an integrated strap. Linde Werdelin has gone a step beyond aesthetics and fashioned the case out of Alloy Linde Werdelin (AWL). Notably, the MoonLite is only Linde Werdelin’s third model with the case in AWL.

An alloy of aluminium and zirconium typically used for aerospace applications, AWL is twice as hard as steel yet half the weight of titanium according to Linde Werdelin, which also has exclusive use of the material in watchmaking. Additionally, the material has been treated to give it a hardened surface, most probably with a chemical process to create a ceramic oxide layer on top, giving it improved scratch resistance.

Ceramic bezel and integrated strap design of the Line Werdelin MoonLite

The AWL case is topped with a bezel in black ceramic. Notably, the bezel is fixed, so even though the Oktopus MoonLite is water resistant to 300 m, it does not qualify as an ISO 6425 dive watch for lack of a rotating dive bezel.

The dial has a complex, layered look, with the evacuated layers rendered in shades of grey. The look, though austere, is in keeping with the industrial feel of the watch.

At six o’clock is the moon phase display: a disc featuring photorealistic depictions of the moon over the course of the month, with the current phase of the moon is indicated by a small blue zero. All of the moons, as well as the hands, are painted in Super-Luminova that glows green in the dark, while the hour markers glow blue.

MoonLite lume shot

As with the earlier Oktopus Moon models, the Oktopus MoonLite is powered by a customised ETA automatic with an added moon phase function.

Key Facts and Price

Oktopus MoonLite

Diameter: 44 mm
Height: 15 mm
Material: Alloy Linde Werdelin
Water resistance: 300 m

Movement: ETA base with added moon phase complication
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and moonphase
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: Interchangeable rubber strap with titanium pin buckle

Limited edition: 59 pieces
Availability: Only on Linde Werdelin’s online store
Price: £11,000; or US$14,177

For more, visit Lindewerdelin.com.

Correction July 28, 2020: The price is US$14,177 and not US$16,000 as stated in an earlier version of the article. Also, Linde Werdelin no longer produces detachable digital modules for its watches.