Side by Side comparison of the Linde Werdelin Spidolite II Green vs the AP F3

[panerai153]

I posted this comparison on another forum a few weeks ago, should have done it here first, but I didn't. So here it is, a side by side comparison of the Linde Werdelin Spidolite Green vs the My AP FC. As stated below, the Linde Werdelin is bone stock, the F3 has been modded (see below)
There seems to be a lot of interest in the new Linde Werdelin Spidolite II, and several folks have asked about comparisons between it and the AP FC, I am going to attempt to write a side by side comparison review of the two.My photos pale in comparison to Mikes photos in his pictorial review below, awesome photography. First off, I have owned the FC V3 since November 2013, so mine is about 2 ½ years old. It recently came back from a trip to Legend’s spa where it got a case polish, a 2X crystal, cyclops mod relumed hour hand (to correct the Grey color of the stock hand) and a slow beat movement conversion. While the appearance has changed, dimensionally it’s the same.Still residing on the original rubber strap that it came with. It has been one of my favorite watches since I bought it. I really like the light weight of theCarbon Fibre. Also since it’s a “Black watch” It flies under the radar.
The LW on the other hand is brand new, picked it up yesterday and it of course is bone stock. Because it is brand new and yet to be worn except to try it on, I cannot comment on the comfort factor. The strap is pretty stiff, but others here have said that it breaks in pretty quickly, and isc omfortable. The FC is very comfortable to me. The rubber strap while not soft is very flexible. Hopefully with a little time, the LW will be as comfortableas the FC. My wrist size is a little over 7” sometimes up to 7 ¼ “. The FC wears very well, and doesn’t look overly large on my wrist.

In the next couple of days, I'm going to post a second review which will be "My thoughts on the LW Spidolite II after a few weeks of wear". Stay tuned if you are interested in this watch!!

First group of photos are a side by side comparison of the two watches, front back and sides.






















As you can see from the above photos, the cases are markedly different, while the FC is more conventional, the LW is quite different, primarily because of the case design to accommodate the electronic modules that LW sells for Scuba and Mountaineering. Since I really haven't worn the LW much, I cannot comment on it's level of comfort as opposed to the FC

The next group of photos are the actual measurements of the watches, using a digital caliper. I was a little surprised at the dimensions of the LW as it seems smaller visually. In all cases, the LW will be first
First are height:





Width including Crown:





Length Lug to lug:





I didn't have access to and accurate scale, so impossible to tell the exact weights. Using my postal scale which is probably pretty inaccurate, I got 4.0 oz. for the LW and 3.9 oz. for the FC

And last, Lume shot. To me lume shots can be very misleading. If you are using a DSLR or other adjustable camera, you can manipulate aperture and shutter speed to make lume look a lot brighter than it actually is. However when you compare two watches side by side, no matter how much you manipulate the settings it will affect both watches equally.



For those interested in how these were photographed, camera is a DSLR Canon 70D with a Canon 28-135 Ultrasonic lens. Camera mounted on a Gitzo tripod with a Gitzo Ball head. Watches were photographed inside a collapsible light tent with 100W Fluorescent's both sides top and angled front.

Conclusion: Since I cannot comment on wearability, I can only comment on obvious physical factors. looking at the two watches, as I said before they are very different. One thing that stands out when you pick the two up together is the obvious edge the FC has in legibility. Big bold indices, more lume and bigger hands make for easier reading. the lume isn't even close, the FC is way, way better. Size ands weight wise, they are pretty close. I suspect that the LW will wear as comfortably as the FC once the strap is broken in a bit. All in all while the FC is a rep of a tool watch (although at the price point of the genuine, I would never imagine anyone actually wearing one diving). The LW on the other hand could not be used as a dive watch per se. It is designed to accommodate the dive module (the Reef) that sits on top of the watch in the genuine model. Being a diver, I cannot imagine why one would ever want to use this combination, as self contained dive computers have gotten very reasonable and are very accurate with lots of features. Just my idea!! To me the LW is more of a novelty watch in it's genuine form. Don't get me wrong, I like the watch, and I believe it will fit well into my watch rotation. Were I buying a genuine watch however, I don't believe that I would spring for one of these. One factor that is somewhat distressing regarding the genuine market, the Spidolite II Green when new was selling for around 15K, now only a couple of years later, they are around 7-8K asking price, so they have taken a pretty big hit depreciation wise, which is not unusual for smaller boutique brands that are not well known. But all this is food for another discussion. These are reps, and at the price point I think it's a really nice watch, maybe different. I would expect that the LW Spidolite II is one of those watches that folks will really like or they will not like at all. Open the package and it's either WOW!! Great watch, or oh well this one is headed to the sales forum!!

[Legend]

I was about to tell you to be succinct old friend but I realize that would be tantamount to asking the mountain to move.

Besides, knowing you brother, this IS already succinct.. haha

Jokes aside, thank you very much for the review and comparison. I have been interested in the LW recently. Electronic modules you said? Hmm I would have to read up more on that. I had only looked at the watch and found it palatable. Nothing on specs, accuracy to gen, functions etc.

[panerai153]

My wife has said for many, many years, you should have been a lawyer instead of a doctor!! I have always been of the old south school of writing whose cardinal rule is "Never use ten words when a hundred will do"!! Just in my DNA I suppose. Heck, If it was good enough for guys like William Faulkner, then it's good enough for me.

My dear friend, thank you very much for your kind words. As I said, I'm going to write another review basically what I like and what I dislike about the LW. It's got some nice features and pluses, but it's got some minuses as well. Since I'm only talking about one watch, I will try my best to keep it concise and on point. Stay tuned!!

[KB]

wow what a great write up, thanks for sharing that Arthur

Ken

[Legend]

2 minutes ago, panerai153 said:

My wife has said for many, many years, you should have been a lawyer instead of a doctor!! I have always been of the old south school of writing whose cardinal rule is "Never use ten words when a hundred will do"!! Just in my DNA I suppose. Heck, If it was good enough for guys like William Faulkner, then it's good enough for me.

My dear friend, thank you very much for your kind words. As I said, I'm going to write another review basically what I like and what I dislike about the LW. It's got some nice features and pluses, but it's got some minuses as well. Since I'm only talking about one watch, I will try my best to keep it concise and on point. Stay tuned!!

A my friend, to be brief, I like your writing and your posts are usually the type and quality with which I would have a cuppa while reading. 

Thank you for your contribution, I appreciate it very much as always sir.

 

[Norgs]

thanks for the write up and pics. 

[StormTooper4]

Big effort thank you. Didn't know the FC was such a hefty piece 

[panerai153]

Big effort thank you. Didn't know the FC was such a hefty piece 

I was a bit surprised as well. Because of the weight, both it and the LW seem to wear smaller than their size.

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[Trevorbobo]

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