September 8, 2016 Swiss Mens Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo Replica Limited Edition

Swiss Mens Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo Replica Limited Edition

At Baselworld 2013 trade show, the mens Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo replica Limited Editionwatch strongly reminds me of vintage pocket watches that often had their cases lavishly decorated with floral motifs, birds, dragons and exotic animals. Limited to just 59 pieces, this particular timekeeper, however, takes the idea of a hand-engraved watch on a whole new level. With its massive body first micro-beaded with tiny ceramic particles and then satin-finished by hand, the watch features that beautiful “old bronze” appearance that makes it especially attractive in that eerie, “real pirates of the Caribbean” way.

Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo watch
Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo watch

While many watches that are crafted from rose gold are usually mirror-polished or, at least, vertically brushed in order to make the precious metal look as expensive as possible, makers of this particular timekeeper took completely different approach.

The impression is further emphasized with a set of miniature engravings that seem to be inspired by Polynesian tatau — an especially painful skin decoration technique that started it all. As you can see on the pictures, the “tattoos” cover almost every facet of the case, as well as the central part of the dial. Even the screw-in crown has a stylized octopus image painstakingly engraved on it.

According to official specifications, the watch is not terribly large: being just 44 millimeters wide and 46 millimeters lug to lug, the device could even be called “mildly” oversized if not one thing. It is terribly large, don’t let the numbers fool you. The problem is not even its thickness: at 15 millimeters high, I have seen lots of thicker divers.

The only part of the best quality replica Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo that comes sans the engravings is, of course, the black ceramic bezel, which is attached to the case with eight screws.

Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo Limited Edition
Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo Limited Edition

Yes, this watch is actually beautiful, but just don’t think about including it into your short list of daily rotation, really. It looks gorgeous with this tattoo-styled engravings, but it is the sort of accessory that can only be worn a couple of times per year at very special occasions.

Judging by the way skeletonized varieties of their watches look on wrist, I could make an educated guess that the problem is how it is sculpted. Styled either after a stealth bomber or a Lamborghini Aventador (or maybe both), the Oktopus II Moon Tattoo features lots of angles that together constitute an object that takes a great deal of space on your wrist and lots of volume around it: there is just too much of it (although I always welcome when there is more product offered at the same money, it is not the case here). It looks huge even on a normal wrist of an average man, a guy with thinner bones will simply be dwarfed by this monster.

They only say that the caliber ticks at a pretty standard tempo of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour and is good for 42 hours on a single charge. It’s probably a good old ETA 2824 or, perhaps, its competitor made by Sellita.

The Swiss-based watchmaker also claims that the Moon complication is the first one not only conceived and developed, but also produced in-house. Well, that’s nice.

Photos: Linde Werdelin

WWR preliminary verdict

Originality 5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4.5/5

Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon Tattoo Limited Edition watch specification

Price: CHF 42,500 (approx. $47,000 USD, VAT not included)
Movement: Automatic, in-house Moon complication, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: No data
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Movement decoration: No data
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, moonphase
Case material: 18-carat rose gold
Bezel material: Black ceramic case
Crown material: Titanium
Case shape: Tonneau
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 44.00 mm x 46.00 mm
Case height: 15.00 mm
Lug width: No data
Dial: Black, open-worked, engraved
Numerals: Arabic, rose gold
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous, diamond-cut
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Natural black rubber strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective, 2.2 mm thick
Case back: Solid, screw-in, engraved

A little disappointingly, discount fake Linde Werdelin watch doesn’t offer much information regarding the movement that powers the watch.