While many might not be familiar with Wempe, those who are fans of independent German watchmaking will be aware of all they’re doing. Yes, they are a jewelry store, but they’re also producing their own line of watches. Back in 2020, they released their third line – the Iron Walker – and now they’ve come back with versions on rubber straps.
What we like about these watches
Frankly, that you can have three different versions (ok, two versions with a version that has two different internal bezel options) all fitting into the same case and dual-crown layout, that just tickles our fancy. It makes it very clear that these are, indeed, the same family of watches. In our minds, it’s also a vote of confidence from the watch designer that the case is a great platform to build from, rather than trying to come up with something new because of a different movement.
What are the options?
For this line, you’ve got the Iron Walker Diver and Iron Walker Tide that both use the Sellita SW300-1A movement. The main difference (aside from dial colors) on these watches is on the internal bezel. You’ll either have the classic dive timer, or one that’s used for marking (and tracking) tides. Then you’ve also got the Iron Walker GMT that utilizes a Sellita SW330 to bring a GMT complication to the party. This also means, of course, that the inner bezel is a 24-hour time scale.
How can you get one?
You’re definitely not going to find the Wempe Iron Walker line at your local store (unless you’re local to where Wempe calls home, we suppose). The Iron Walker Diver starts at $4,150, and the Iron Walker Tide starts out at $3,625. Want to go for the Iron Walker GMT instead? That one starts at $4,440. Oh, and if the new rubber straps aren’t your thing, it looks like the steel bracelet versions are the same price. Check them out, and all of the others in their lineup, directly over at wempe.com
Tech Specs from Wempe
Iron Walker Diver with Rubber Strap
- Movement: Caliber Sellita SW300-1a
- Oscillating system: Balance frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Movement dimensions: Round, 26.6 mm (Ø); 111?2 ’’’; 3.6 mm (height)
- Escapement: Swiss lever escapement
- Power reserve: Approx. 56 hours
- Chronometry: Officially certified German chronometer according to ISO 3159
- Functions: Sweep seconds; date
- Controls: 2 screw-in crowns
- Case: Stainless steel; 42 mm (Ø); water resistant to 30 bar
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Black; markers with Super-LumiNova® Blue; markers with Super-LumiNova®
- Bezel: Inner diver bezel
- Hands: Rhodium plated with luminous Super-LumiNova®
- Strap: Rubber strap with folding clasp and security pin
Iron Walker Tide with Rubber Strap
- Movement: Caliber Sellita SW300-1a
- Oscillating system: Balance frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Movement dimensions: Round, 26.6 mm (Ø); 111?2 ’’’; 3.6 mm (height)
- Escapement: Swiss lever escapement
- Power reserve: Approx. 56 hours
- Chronometry: Officially certified German chronometer according to ISO 3159
- Functions: Sweep seconds; date
- Controls: 2 screw-in crowns
- Case: Stainless steel; 42 mm (Ø); water resistant to 30 bar
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Black; markers with Super-LumiNova® Blue; markers with Super-LumiNova®
- Bezel: Inner tide bezel
- Hands: Rhodium plated with luminous Super-LumiNova®
- Strap: Rubber strap with folding clasp and security pin
Iron Walker GMT with Rubber Strap
- Movement: Caliber Sellita SW330
- Oscillating system: Balance frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Movement dimensions: Round; 4,1 mm (height); 25.6 mm (Ø); 111?2’’’
- Escapement: Swiss lever escapement
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Chronometry: Officially certified German chronometer according to ISO 3159
- Functions: Sweep seconds; date; second time zone
- Controls: Screw-in crowns
- Case: Stainless steel; 42 mm (Ø); 11.7 mm (height); water resistant to 10 bar
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Black; steel markers with Super-LumiNova®
- Bezel: Inner adjustable 24-hour bezel in silver/black or black/orange
- Hands: Rhodium plated with luminous Super-LumiNova®
- Strap: Rubber strap with folding clasp and security pin
