Linde Werdelin’s Oktopus Frogman Watch. Photo: Casper Tybjerg
Today in Switzerland, Linde Werdelin unveiled its newest timepiece: Oktopus Frogman. For those unfamiliar, the Frogman Corps (Frømandskorpset) are a Naval Special Operations Force in the Danish Military. It is known that only the strongest, bravest, and greatest of persons complete the training to be granted the honor of being a Frogman. Their missions are important and highly dangerous, but are shrouded in mystery.The Oktopus Frogman is a grand interpretation of a timepiece able to go the distance with that elite corps.
The Frogmen are diving not only into the deepest of waters, but also the deepest of danger. They need a wristwatch that can withstand the waters while maintaining time precision; especially considering their lives may very well depend on it.
The Oktopus Frogman is durable and rugged for the toughest of Frogman missions. Photo: Casper Tybjerg
Conventus Renae is the association of Frogmen, connecting those who have served in the past to those currently serving. They approached Linde Werdelin asking the brand to create a piece that captures the sentiment of the service, and reflects how Frogmen carry a shared set of values — values they wanted interpreted and presented in the watch. The Linde Werdelin brand — with its intense dedication to creating durable watches — created a timepiece that fits into the Frogman’s way of life. Christian Nielsen (“CK”), chairman of Conventus Ranae and former patrol leader in the Frogman Corps states, “This special edition Oktopus acts as a symbol for a life committed to being a combat diver.”
The Oktopus Frogman watch is equipped with an automatic self-winding movement (complete with 21 jewels) with a date function uniquely set at 4 o’clock. Its 42-hour power reserve rests within a 44 mm titanium case. The dial is a much simpler version of other Oktopus models and bypasses the more complicated moonphase or double date features for the sake of ease of reading in the murky deep. The brand has also created an extremely durable one-part titanium casing. The black ceramic bezel ensures an added element of ruggedness function, with the large 3, 6, 9, and 12 numbers providing easy legibility.
The Oktopus Frogman in action. Photo: Casper Tybjerg
Protected by a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inside, this timepiece has been tested to the extreme. The brand’s existing testing regiment was challenged even further in consideration of the watch’s need to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures that Frogmen face. Tackling the issue of nighttime visibility, Linde Werdelin created a Luminova sandwich construction for maximum luminescence.
Naturally, the Oktopus Frogman is water resistant up to 100 meters. Each piece is laser engraved with the Frogman badge, as well as with the corresponding year each member successfully joined the Corps. It is strictly available for those with the strength and perseverance to complete the demanding training to become a Frogman. A truly unique honor for such a highly prestigious group. However, the honor runs bidirectionally. As all Frogmen, past and present, can be connected through a more tangible artifact, Linde Werdelin’s Oktopus Frogman reflects the Corps’ dedication to precision and attention to detail, as well as an ability to withstand the toughest of dangers.
“Our goal has always been to make the best dive watch and now we have achieved making a watch fit for a professional dive unit, one of the best in the world. To have Linde Werdelin be a part of Danish cultural heritage by contributing to the comradeship of the Frogmen is an absolute honour,” says co-founder Jorn Werdelin. The watch — sadly for all of us — is only available to Frogmen (past, present and future).
Established in 1957, this group is comprised of just over 300 members while each year hundreds of applicants attempt to tackle the training. Photo: Casper Tybjerg
