Linde Werdelin Oktopus II

A Diver that Doesn’t Dive Deep??? – Linde Werdelin Oktopus II

Linde Werdelin’s new Oktopus II Diving Watch Doesn’t Go Deep! Morten Linde explains the logic

Linde Werdelin is not your average watch company and that is something that they cherish. They enjoy taking paths less travelled, and they are not the only ones who enjoy it! Because they are different than most watch companies, they come out with refreshing new watches that we also can enjoy! Pictured to the left are Morten Linde (left) and Jorn Werdelin, founders of Linde Werdelin.
Such is most certainly the case with the Oktopus II, Linde Werdelin’s new divers watch. Although we are already familiar with the looks of their diving watches through its predecessor, the Oktopus I, the Oktopus II pushes the envelope even further, in every way except water resistance! We had the opportunity to talk with Morten Linde, co-founder and designer of Linde Werdelin about the new Oktopus II;
Martin Green (MG): Dive watches are very popular, even amongst those who don’t dive. How important is it for Linde Werdelin to have a divers watch in its collection?
Morten Linde: A lot of customers have an active lifestyle and like the rugged look of a dive watch. Most of them also use the watch where it was made for; life under water. It is our philosophy that time should be read analog, but that when you use it for sport you need digital. Also when you go diving you need a diving computer. A watch is great, but you need a digital computer to give you all the information you need to dive safely.
MG: In what way is the Oktopus II different than the Oktopus I? Is it an evolution or a revolution?

Linde Werdelin Oktopus II: not just serious about diving but also professional!

Morten Linde; It is a combination of both; we have refined the watch by going into the details, and found a lot of inspiration in the development of The Reef (Linde Werdelin’s diving computer MG). All our watches have to fit in The Reef, they need to be anti-corrosive, have big hands, basically it needs to be suited to working/life in water.

When we design a new watch we work very closely with our suppliers (Linde Werdelin has a very transparent policy that they don’t aspire to make everything themselves, but prefer to make their watches with the best suppliers they can find MG). We need to talk with the people at the suppliers to see what is possible; it is a cooperative effort. It is all about understanding suppliers, working together to make great products and to determine how we can both set a step further.
MG: Most divers also wear a diving computer when they go diving. With the Oktopus this device can simply be attached to the watch. Did “The Reef” also get an update?
Morten Linde: The Reef is in constant development with refinement of software and instruments. Basically it is a constant evolution. For the new Oktopus II we have The Reef now available in blue and yellow to match the colors on the dial.
MG: There is a current trend that divers watches have an increasing water resistance. What technical features has the Oktopus II in regard to this?
Morten Linde: Water resistance should be practical. After 120 meters diving is not possible, all you get is a big watch. It is not a game/contest to get the highest water resistance. The first Oktopus was water resistance to 1100 meters, with the Oktopus II that is 300 meters; the same depth as The Reef is tested for. We are the only watch company that makes a real instrument for diving. Brands that make watches that are extremely water resistant indicate that they don’t know anything about diving. It is easier to make a watch water resistance to 5000 meters than to build a dive computer.

Oktopus II in Blue; the skeleton date wheels

MG: Most watch connoisseurs are quite passionate about the movement. What can you tell us about the movement in the Oktopus II?
Morten Linde: In regard to the movement it was extremely complicated to do the date-wheels. They are extremely thin. I wanted them to be skeletonized. It not only looks good, but it is also resembles the stencil look of the letters found on a lot of divers equipment. We actually had to develop a special process for it, because the regular laser cutting wasn’t possible due to heat. The date wheels would warp and couldn’t be used. With our supplier we had to overcome that problem.
The skeletonized design of the movement was also created so that it resembles an octopus with arms from 3 to 9 o’clock, and the big date look like its eyes.
MG: The Oktopus I was also released with a moonphase indicator. A quite unique feature for a divers watch. Can we also expect complications like this in the near future for the Oktopus II?
Morten Linde: We find it interesting to make complications that have a purpose. We did the moonphase on the first Oktopus because a lot of people like night diving, for this you need the moon, or moonlight. It always needs to add something, an extra functionality that is also relevant for a diver. Big date too, although as a diver you don’t need to have this function underwater. You do need the date to set your diving computer correctly. But about extra or different complications for the Oktopus II,let’s see what happens!

From wetsuit to tuxedo, the Oktopus II in titanium & rose gold can handle both with ease. (pictured to the right)
MG: Is there anything about the Oktopus II that you think everybody should know?

Morten Linde: The case construction is very interesting. It is inspired by the development of The Reef. It consists of 4 separate units after which the bezel locks it in place. This has never been done before. Also the whole architecture of the watch is interesting. We worked hard on the 3D look of the watch, since it all needs to come together. When you dive you go up and down, so we also did this on the case and dial to create the same motion. At 9 and 6 o’clock the case go ups to add dimension. We want to create details, even details in details, and play with light and shadows so it is always interesting to look at the watch. An Octopus II will last at least for 100 years so it should be interesting to look at, and you will see more details over time.
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So what is left to say about a watch after such an insight into its design and development? Well, the Oktopus II will be released in three different versions: titanium and ceramic with blue accents, titanium, DLC-coated titanium and ceramic with yellow accents, and a rose gold, titanium and rose gold accents version. All of them are limited to only 88 pieces and house a modified Dubois Depraz Calbiber 14580.
Although they are the same model, smart use of the different materials and varied colors of the accents give each watch a face of its own. Usually a diving watch has a rotating bezel. Interestingly, Linde Werdelin said good-bye to this feature. They have the opinion that time spent under water can much better be counted on a diving computer, which is also easier to read then a watch bezel and therefore safer. All together gives the Oktopus II a whole new and fresh look on how a diving watch can be: serious, thought through, robust, yet always with an eye for detail!