WEMPE Glashütte – Maritime Instrument Marine Chronometers by Tim Heywood Edition 2023
Glashütte (Saxony), January 26, 2023 – The production of marine chronometers is part of Wempe’s watchmaking tradition. Since 1905, the company has equipped seagoing vessels with these special timepieces, whose great precision is unaffected by rough seas and ever-changing temperatures.
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Timepieces that shaped world history
Tim Heywood is fascinated by the history of marine chronometers, whose introduction in the 18th century enabled safe navigation at sea through the precise determination of longitude – which, among other things, formed the basis for long-distance travel and worldwide trade.
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“These timepieces are aimed at a discerning public aware of the importance of chronometry,” explains Kim-Eva Wempe (60). “They also underscore our expertise and legitimacy in making state-of-the-art marine chronometers.”
The perfection of tradition
The basic movement of the unified chronometer — Type 05 — has proven itself for decades thanks to continuous improvement. For the current Type 06 chronometer movement, every component was redesigned and adapted to cutting-edge manufacturing techniques implemented between 2017 and 2021. This is a major reason for the chronometer’s maximum rate variation of only 0.3 seconds per day while maintaining 56 hours of power reserve. This extraordinary precision is also due to the elaborate chain-and-fusée assembly that ensures that the energy supplied to the gear train by the mainspring as it unwinds always remains constant. The energy is transmitted via an intricate chain that slowly unwinds from a cone called the fusée.
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Gimballed within a cube of fine wood and featuring traditional typography against a light-colored dial, the CW800017 chronometer can be found in the collections of all Wempe showrooms worldwide. Bernhard Stoll (63), CEO of Wempe’s watch division, says, “The purchasers of these timepieces also appreciate the historical instrument look because it represents the highest level of precision.”
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A legend in a new look: A Tim Heywood design for Wempe Marine Chronometers
The Type 07 manufacture movement can be found in two chronometer models designed by world-famous yacht designer Tim Heywood (72), who combines watchmaking heritage with modern composition. Over the past several decades, in which Heywood has created a distinctive look for mega yachts, his process has involved developing a comprehensive overall concept. “I literally start with a blank sheet of paper. The shape of the hull and the large superstructures, as well as the individual lights, are created in consultation with the client,” he explains.
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Kim-Eva Wempe is also very satisfied with the collaboration. “Tim Heywood’s designs link our watchmaking tradition ideally with the requirements and expressiveness of modern shipbuilding.”
A blue dial and polished meridians
Heywood has equipped the new chronometers with a bold blue dial featuring state-of-the-art typography, while two openings at 4 and 8 o’clock respectively provide glimpses of the movement. The borosilicate glass on the dial side is cut from a solid block.
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The Wempe Marine Chronometer Cube by Tim Heywood: Symbol of a safe journey
Designer Tim Heywood’s goal was for the chronometer to remind its owner of the wealth of nautical traditions regardless of current location. The dark brown case, which can be ceremonially opened using its three folding doors, contributes to this.
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Wempe Marine Chronometer Coco de Mer by Tim Heywood: A nautical work of art
The British designer is known for the soft organic lines of his designs invoking feminine shapes. He points out that ships are, after all, the only objects referred to using feminine pronouns in the English language. However, there is also another reason why Heywood chose the feminine curves of the exotic Coco de Mer nut after which to model this limited chronometer edition of 50 pieces:
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The humble coconut variation can traverse enormous distances at sea unscathed, making it a perfect symbol for marine chronometry. The triple-doored case of the Coco de Mer is also manufactured by Metrica using laser sintering. The top of its lid is coated with bronze while the inside boasts gold leaf. Sixteen layers of varnish are manually applied to the body, which is then polished by hand. This marine chronometer is limited to 50 numbered pieces and will be available from January 26, 2023, at a price of $91,825.
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About Wempe
The Wempe name is synonymous with fine timepieces and jewelry. This family-owned company, which
is based in Hamburg and was founded in 1878, is headed by Kim-Eva Wempe (who was born in 1962)
and has 32 branches in cities all over the world, including New York, Paris, and London. The company
has been closely connected for generations with the renowned watch manufactures of Switzerland and
Germany. Wempe produces its own Glashütte I/SA brand wristwatch chronometers in Glashütte,
Saxony, and its own By Kim brand jewelry in Schwäbisch Gmünd. In addition, Wempe operates the
largest independent watch workshop in Europe and has been certified as a “Best Place to Learn” in
Germany since 2015.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Collection Maritime Instrument
Model: Marine Chronometer Cube by Tim Heywood
Reference Number CW800018
Facts
Movement: Wempe
Oscillating system: 14,400 semi-oscillations per hour (240 per minute)
Dimensions (chronometer): 151.3 (h) x 142.4 (w) x 157.8 mm (d)
Dimensions (case): 215 (h) x 248 (w) x 250 mm (d)
Escapement: Earnshaw detent escapement
Power reserve: 56 hours
Chronometry: Tested according to former norms; maximum rate deviation of 0.3 seconds per day
Functions
Hour, minute, second, power reserve
Controls: Winding system and winding key
Case
Gold-plated brass; outer casing of special composite material;
temperature- and climate-stable, 16 layers of varnish
Crystal: Borosilicate glass
Dial
Blue, Arabic numerals
Hands: Stainless steel, polished/straight graining; Heywood design
Limited Edition 50 pieces
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Model: Marine Chronometer Coco de Mer by Tim Heywood
Reference Number CW800019
Facts
Movement: Wempe
Oscillating system: 14,400 semi-oscillations per hour (240 per minute)
Dimensions (chronometer): 151.3 (h) x 142.4 (w) x 157.8 mm (d)
Dimensions (case): 209 (h) x 212 (w) x 239 mm (d)
Escapement: Earnshaw detent escapement
Power reserve: 56 hours
Chronometry: Tested according to former norms; maximum rate deviation of 0.3 seconds per day
Functions
Hour, minute, second, power reserve
Controls: Winding system and winding key
Case
Gold-plated brass; outer casing of special composite material;
temperature- and climate-stable, 16 layers of varnish
Crystal: Borosilicate glass
Dial
Blue, Arabic numerals
Hands: Stainless steel, polished/straight graining; Heywood design
Limited Edition 50 pieces
Press releases - 2023
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Contact
Nadja Weisweiler
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 40 33 44 8-847
E-Mail: nadja.weisweiler@wempe.de
www.facebook.com - WempeUS
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