The dial – its purpose is clear

The dial of the 1969 DeltaWorks presents the essentials of time, namely, hours, minutes and seconds. There is nothing superfluous. In fact, when designing the watch, Bart and Tim were keen to ensure that the dial imparted information in a clear, intelligible format. To deliver peerless legibility, day or night, the hands and hour markers are treated with Super-LumiNova®, that produces a blue glow in restricted light.

While the dial is highly practical it is still enriched with numerous details. For example, the hour track sits on a higher plane than the central dial area and small seconds display. The plump lancine-style hour and minute hands deliver impressive readability even in the most challenging conditions. At the fulcrum of the hands, the ‘centres’ are black polished to a gleaming conclusion. The small seconds display features ‘60’, presented in an orange hue, a respectful nod to the brothers’ homeland. Likewise, the country of origin is proudly proclaimed at the base of the dial.

A watch for all occasions

The 1969 DeltaWorks is presented in a 45mm stainless steel case, measuring 12.5mm in height. The case features an integrated strap that ergonomically encircles the wrist, conferring a high degree of wearer comfort while appearing smaller than its stated dimensions would suggest. The scale of the case endows the watch with a generously proportioned dial area, augmenting legibility but without appearing unduly large. Every aspect of the case has been carefully considered.

Four inserts are integrated and steadfastly secured to the middle-case. The inserts are offered in two formats: stainless steel, matching the case material, or titanium shrouded in coloured FKM rubber, designed to match the shade of the strap. A notable attribute of the latter option is that there is less risk of the case band picking up annoying scratches. Throughout the composition, the case juxtaposes brushed and highly polished surfaces, contributing to the model’s notable allure.

A triple-seal, screw-down crown mitigates the risk of dust or water ingress. In addition, the crown features an ingenious safeguarding system. When the Grönefeld logo on the crown is perpendicular to the dial and pointing upwards, the triple-seal, screw-down crown delivers maximum protection. To reduce the load on the ceramic ball bearing of the DeltaWorks’ oscillating mass, Grönefeld has extended the four steel spokes beyond the 18K gold mass. In the event of an extreme impact, these protruding spokes will tap against the middle-case or the inside of the rear cover. This ensures that the impact is not transmitted directly to the ball bearing and helps maintain its durability. The sapphire crystals, to the front and rear, are thicker than normal and, by default, stronger. As a result of the aforementioned details, the watch is water resistant to 100m, making it suitable for an array of leisure pursuits, including swimming, sailing and windsurfing.

The 1969 DeltaWorks is offered in an array of different coloured rubber straps. Grönefeld has selected FKM rubber in preference to conventional rubber as it proves more supple, more resistant and it retains its colour for longer. The exterior of the strap features a wave pattern, while the inside of the strap is decorated with a motif formed of numerous Grönefeld logos, allowing the wearer’s wrist to breathe. The strap can be cut to length for optimal sizing, while the micro adjustable clasp, featuring gleaming facets and relief engraving, allows the wearer to fine tune the union between the strap and the wrist.

The aforementioned pane of sapphire crystal, positioned to the rear of the watch, affords views of the beautifully appointed, self-winding movement. The case back features ‘GRÖNEFELD’ and ‘DELTAWORKS’ in relief, while the name ‘Oldenzaal’ is discretely engraved opposite the crown, an elegant reminder of where the Grönefeld family’s watchmaking story began.