With its distinctive, chiselled good looks combined with genuine hard-wearing durability and the reassurance of a superb bespoke self-winding Swiss movement, the Spidospeed Arktis by Linde Werdelin is a fabulous contemporary sports chronograph, designed equally for the rigours of the outdoor life or the quayside bistro, from a pioneering independent watch brand which has carved its own niche as a specialist luxury style icon in the world of independent watchmaking since marking its arrival in 2006.

Echoing the brand’s unmistakable futuristic design ethos, with its signatures cues of an uncompromising high-tech case with its uncompromising angular design, inset hex screws, and its detailed three dimensional multi-layer dial, the Spidospeed Arktis represents a cool and individual alternative to the mainstream.

Measuring 44mm across and 46mm from end to end, the surfaces of the three-part stainless steel case have been given a satin finish, which mutes the tone of the metal, and accentuates the deep filets around the bezel and sculpted cutaways which give the watch its distinctive Linde Werdelin appearance, and presented on a chunky natural rubber strap with pin buckle, the Spidospeed Arktis is an imposing piece indeed, with enormous presence on the wrist.

Beneath the sapphire glass, the dial is an elaborate layering consisting of a skeletonised chapter ring over a dark blue base which is decorated with a concentric circular pattern, replicating the lines of latitude from the perspective of the North Pole. Three silvery subdials at the three, six and nine o’clock positions respectively indicate the 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters, with the small constant seconds at the nine. The pointers and principal hour and minute hands are a uniform tapering shape and skeletonised.

Underneath, a sapphire caseback provides a view of the LW03 calibre, a premium quality bespoke integrated chronograph movement developed and custom finished for Linde Werdelin by movement specialist Concepto. The skeletonised rotor is inscribed with the Linde Werdelin motif, and beating at a brisk 28.800 vib/hour it boasts a power reserve of 48 hours.

A cool and contemporary watch created to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Linde Werdelin Spidospeed collection, the Arktis is produced in a limited edition of only 99 pieces.