The following article is by André, who, as an active reader, is always in contact with me here. His last guest posts here were on the DJI Inspire 2 and DJI Mini 2.
Note: The report consists of two parts. The first contains basic information about the Wernbach brand and the new collection. If you want to know my immediate impression of the new watch, you should jump to “Hands on”.
What is the brand all about?
Werenbach is a Swiss watch brand founded in 2013. The special thing about the watches: Depending on the collection, more or less material from real Soyuz rockets is used to build the watches. Patrick Hohmann, one of the founders and CEO of Werenbach, came up with the idea a few years earlier – while jogging. If you would like to know more about the history of Werenbach, you can read about it on the Werenbach homepage or in the book “Werenbach’s Clock” (ISBN:978-3-03762-052-6). There is a lot of background information about the company and the watches on the homepage.
Soyuz Raketenmaterial
As mentioned, material from real Soyuz rockets is used to build the clocks. The rockets launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The first stage boosters are blasted off at an altitude of approximately 45km. The wind protection fairing then follows at approx. 85km. These blown-off parts fall back into the steppe in Kazakhstan, into a restricted military area, from where they are then recovered. One can imagine that it took years of cultivating relationships, persistence and, according to reports, a few bottles of vodka for Patrick Hohmann to even get hold of this material.
The material that is later used for the corresponding watches can therefore be assigned to the rocket from which it comes!
Soyuz01 Collection – Kickstarter Campaign
With the Soyuz01, the 4 watch collection has now been presented. It is the third collection, alongside the Leonov and the Mach 33, that was pre-financed via Kickstarter. It only took 2 minutes to reach the financing goal of 60k CHF for the new collection. After a good 24 hours, the project financing was already over 400k CHF.
Note: Do not confuse the Soyuz01 collection with the first Soyuz collection.
Soyuz01 Collection
Before I write anything about the watch that I bought via Kickstarter, a few key details about the new collection.
The watches are available in two collections which mainly differ in the movement. Another difference is the back of the watch. Depending on the collection, more or less of the movement can be seen.
“Soyuz01”
A Swiss automatic movement from Selita, the SW-200 (further development of the ETA 2824), is installed here. The accuracy of the movement is -/+ 11 seconds per day. The power reserve is a good 38 hours. The clockwork is used in the standard version, so it has not been additionally “refined”
„Soyuz01 Superlative“
A higher quality Swiss movement from Sopord is used here, the “Newton”. The accuracy is -/+ 6 seconds per day, almost in the range of a chronometer movement. The power reserve is 44 hours. The movement is used in the Premium (top) version.
Both collections otherwise have the following data:
Case: Made of stainless steel, has a diameter of 41.2mm, a height of 9.5mm and a weight of 68g
Waterproof: 10 ATM (100m)
Glass: scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Bulb: SLN X1 GL C1
Rocket: Material from the Soyuz MS-09 rocket is used (with which Alexander Gerst flew to the ISS)
Dial – Soyuz material
But what of the clock really comes from the Soyuz rockets? It’s the dial! The rocket aluminum is used by the boosters of the first rocket stage. It reaches a flight altitude of approximately 45km. The material is melted and processed into the dial using an injection molding process. It then has a 3D look and the final polish is done by hand.
Overview
The dial is available in different colors: White, Raw, Black. White is not available in the Superlative collection. The Suplerlative collection also has the Deep Black model, in which the case is also completely black.
Hands on
I chose the “Soyuz 01 Superlative Black” model. So the model with the more expensive Sporod Newton movement.
The watch is delivered in a simple but high-quality case.
Watch in matching case
In addition to the clock, you will also find confirmation from Werenbach that real material from a Soyuz rocket was used and an unprocessed part of the rocket from which the dial is made.
The watch comes standard with a textile strap. The bracelet feels very valuable and is decorated with beautiful details on the back.
Certificate of raw material
processing
The watch itself is very well made. The dial with the 3D look is also very beautiful. The hands are coated with luminous material. There are also dots with lights at the 9, 12 and 3 o’clock positions.
Dial of the Soyus
The back reveals the Soprod movement. (The back of the watch with the Selita movement has a smaller opening). Some information such as water resistance, the mission from which the rocket material used comes, etc. were also engraved on the back.
Metal bracelet
I decided to buy the optional metal bracelet for the watch. The bracelet is more durable, has a folding clasp and I just like the look of the watch a little better with this bracelet.
Metal bracelet
The length of the band can be adjusted by removing individual links. The required screwdriver is included. It also has a quick-change mechanism. So it can be easily installed/removed from the clock. (Unfortunately, the textile bracelet fitted upon delivery does not have this mechanism. But it can also be easily removed with a pocket knife)
Conclusion
With the current Soyuz01 collection, Werenbach has once again created a really beautiful watch. The workmanship is top notch, as usual from Werenbach. I like the details of the watch. Some people may find the dial and the back have a bit too many details, but that is of course a matter of taste. The story behind the watch and the fact that you actually have material from a rocket on your wrist make the Werenbach watches so unique!
Conclusion on the Werenbach Soyuz01
If you would like to have a “Spaceborn” watch, you will find it on the www.werenbach.ch homepage. If you want an even more unique watch from Werenbach, you should take a look at the BTO editions. The watch described here is available at. Attached is a link to the current Kabel 1 broadcast about Werenbach.
Prices
Soyuz01
Presale: 604.50 CHF
Regular: 930.00 CHF
Soyuz01 Superlative
Presale: 1105.00 CHF
Regular: 1700.00 CHF
Soyuz 01 Superlative Deep Black
Presale: 1169.35 CHF
Regular: 1799.00 CHF