Wempe Glashutte Sport Watches – black dials

Most of our readers have probably not heard of the German brand Wempe. A jeweler since 1878 and primarily known as a watch retailer, they added their own watch brand in 2006, under the Zeitmeister line. Nice watches, but little known, especially in the US. They do have a major store in New York City though. This year, after four years of work, they are adding a full line of sport watches, and I like how they look.

Models include a three-hand and chronograph in the Wempe Zeitmeister Sport Herren Automatic and the Zeitmeister Sport Chronograph, as well as a three-hand and chronograph diver with the Zeitmeister Taucher Automatic and Zeitmeister Taucher Chronograph.

Wempe Glashutte Sport Watches – white dials

Wempe offers both men’s and women’s models in the Sport collection, with first-class ETA movements, properly proportioned hands, and nice clean dials. Not design standouts, but well-chosen design elements that should age quite well. Let’s go over the models. This is a “store brand” done very well.

Diver’s watch, in black

The dive model uses one of my favorite movements, the Sellita Sw300, which is a clone of the ETA 2892. Thinner at 3.6mm, the 300/2892 is a chronometer and an excellent choice. Wempe modifies it with their custom fine regulator, too. Wempe lists the size as 42mm, with 20mm lugs, but does not mention thickness. If it’s 12mm or less, I’d be delighted. Ceramic bezel, anti-reflective-coated sapphire, 300m depth rating.

I really like the hands. Nice and wide, long enough to reach the inner portion of the minute markers, beveled and contrasty. I hate dive watches with hard-to-see hands. I also like the color-matched date wheels.

It also comes in blue –

Diver’s watch, in blue

MSRP on both of those is $3,540, available now in their store locations. Next up is the reminds-me-of-the-Rolex-Explorer model:

Wempe Glashutte Sport Automatik, in black

The Sport Automatik has men’s and women’s variants, in black and silver dials. 40mm and 35mm, respectively, MSRPs of $2,970 and $2,825… more »