Reviewing the Robust Wempe Iron Walker Automatic 40

German watch brand Wempe has announced the Iron Walker Automatic 40, a luxury sports model. Featuring an integrated bracelet, a blue dial, and a chronometer-certified movement, it's a robust and elegant watch perfect for everyday wear. This time, we'll be reviewing this model.

A luxury sports model from Wempe, a company that specializes in classic models.

　Founded in 1878, Wempe is a long-established watch and jewelry store based in Hamburg, Germany. In addition to being a retailer, the company began developing its own brand in 2006, leveraging the experience and aesthetic sense it has cultivated through the sale of luxury watches. The company restored the abandoned Glashütte Observatory and established a new workshop there. Furthermore, it established the German Chronometer Standard together with the Thuringian State Metrology Office and the Saxony State Metrology Office. All models shipped are certified to chronometer standards.
　
　Wempe, which specializes in classic models, presents the Iron Walker, a luxury sports model. The design was inspired by the image of construction workers in the early 20th century, idly working among the steel structures amid the skyscrapers overlooking Manhattan. Evoking the image of skilled men skillfully handling steel at dizzying heights, this model features a precisely engineered stainless steel case with integrated lugs. The tonneau-shaped case features polished edges and a steeply rising bezel.

　Iron Walker's new Iron Walker Automatic 40 has an elegant look, designed for the modern businessperson, and can be worn in the office, for leisure, or for sports. The crown protector gives it a squared-off look, and the tightly screwed-down crown makes it suitable for physical labor. A moderate amount of force is required to unscrew and operate the crown. Pulling it to several positions is easy and secure.

The clasp requires some force to operate, but the power of the movement makes up for it.

　The angular impression continues towards the lugs, where the case gently slopes down to merge with the bracelet. Two screws are used to connect the bracelet to the case. They are firmly fixed, but flexible enough to fit even small wrists. The clasp also includes an adjustment screw that allows you to adjust the length of the three-link bracelet.

　The bracelet has a polished and satin finish on the surface and faceted edges. Areas that could be improved include the ease of opening the safety catch when closed and the treatment of the clasp edges.

　The movement is an improved version of the ETA 2892-A2, and is housed in a closed caseback engraved with an image of the Glashütte Observatory. The screw-down caseback provides water resistance to 100 meters. The movement is automatic and is certified as a German chronometer in accordance with ISO 3159. Wempe has equipped the movement with an in-house balance cock, improved regulating mechanism, and shock-absorbing mechanism. The model reviewed here has been field-tested to confirm the theoretical chronometer certification. The all-important rate, the worn-in rate, shows little deviation from perfect timing even after several weeks of wear. While accuracy decreased slightly toward the end of the power reserve, measurements using a timepiece showed a satisfactory chronometer level of 4.6 seconds per day, well within the chronometer's range.

　The high-precision timekeeping is displayed on a sunray-finished blue dial that shimmers elegantly in the light. Notable features include the steep flange with minute and second markers, the luminous indices and hands, the silver frame around the date window, and the blue of the date disc, which matches the dial. The date numerals are silver, i.e., the same color as the stainless steel, demonstrating Wempe's dedication to the power of steel down to the smallest details of the Iron Walker.

Technical specifications

Accuracy stability test (daily difference seconds/day)