Gronefeld Makes A Debut In Sports Watches With The 1969 DeltaWorks
5 min read
‘The Horological Brothers’ of Grönefeld, Bart, and Tim have conceived the latest iteration of its beautifully proportioned sports utility watch launched at the Watches and Wonders 2023. Inspired by the world-leading Dutch water management and associated engineering endeavors, named the ‘Delta Works’, this timepiece from the brand understandably called the 1969 DeltaWorks is designed to cope with the perils of water ingress and shocks while still upholding high horology standards.
Released as the brand’s first-ever sports watch, the 1969 DeltaWorks Rubber Clad Inserts celebrates the engineering triumphs of the Dutch Delta Works the watch which can be configured as per buyer preferences is available with a trio of dial designs or colors, 5 strap options, and, a choice of stainless steel or color-coordinated FKM rubber-clad inserts for the case flanks.
A dial with a clear purpose
The utilitarian aesthetic of the dial is in tune with its true sports watch aesthetic and highlights the essential timekeeping parameters of hours, minutes, and seconds. Avoiding the superfluous and ensuring unhindered legibility in all conditions, the hands and hour markers are treated with Super-LumiNova®, which produces a blue glow in restricted light.
The quintessential practical aesthetic of the dial isn’t monotonous in any way as buyers get to choose from an impressive array of 3 color configurations. It is highlighted with a plethora of details like the slightly higher plane for the hour track than the central dial area and small seconds display, giving the face of the timepiece launched at Watches and Wonders a sense of depth.
The plump lancine-style hour and minute hands feature a generous coating of Super-LumiNova® and are black polished at their fulcrums. Printed in the Dutch color of orange, a nod to the country of origin for the horological brothers, the text ‘60’ is the only number printed on the dial other than the enlarged 12.
A timepiece with a dynamic appeal
The imposing yet easily wearable profile for the Grönefeld 1969 DeltaWorks Rubber Clad Inserts results from its strap that occurs integrated with the case measuring 45mm in diameter and 12.5 mm in thickness. Hugging the wrist ergonomically, the timepiece wears smaller than the dimensions would suggest.
An intentional sports watch designed to cope with depths of up to 100 m, the stainless steel case is integrated with case flank inserts which occur in: stainless steel, to match the case material or titanium shrouded in colored FKM rubber, designed to match the strap colors. This novelty for the brand prevents the case from accidental scratches.
Across the case, we find a beautiful translation between brushed and highly polished surfaces. Preventing the ingress of water is the triple-sealed screw-down crown with an ingenious safeguarding system. Maximum protection is achieved when the Grönefeld logo on the crown sits perpendicular to the dial or points upwards. Both the front and back feature thicker the usual sapphire crystals.
The timepiece is paired with a selection of FKM rubber straps featuring a wave pattern on the exterior surface and a repetitive brand logo motif on the inside. To perfectly encircle the wearer’s wrist, the strap can be cut to length and also micro-adjusted with the clasp.
A movement upholding elevated finishing standards - A symbol of the Grönefeld brand
As a timepiece for which no detail is overlooked, the 1969 DeltaWorks Rubber Clad Inserts continues to pursue high horology standards for its movement engineering and finishing as well. Maintaining an omnipresent allure of compatibility with active lifestyles, the choice of a self-winding movement was natural for the timepiece.
This movement, the calibre G-06 encapsulates the charms of ‘Haute Horlogerie’ in every sense of the word. Although the movement is instantly recognizable as the brand’s first-ever automatic caliber as featured in the 1941 Principia Automatic, there are notable details that distinguish this iteration and give it a distinct character.
An open-worked architecture of the distinctive oscillating weight features four stainless steel arms, presented in a double-spoke design. Beneath the arms occurs an 18K gold mass adorned with a wave motif which energizes the barrel for an autonomy of 24 hours after 633 rotations.
The movement elements feature a mix of fine finishing techniques ranging from bevelling, mirror polishing, media blasted frosting as well as satin finishing. Some of the bridges also feature relief engraving.
The escapement is adjusted to heat-cold, isochronism, and six positions, one higher than the requisite chronometry standards. Gold chatons stand testament to the no-compromise specification of this movement.
Overall, the finishing for the calibre G-06 offers a perfect mix of traditional and contemporary ‘Haute Horlogerie’ techniques.
Technical Specifications:
Movement
Calibre: G-06
Movement Dimensions
Diameter: 32.0 mm
Thickness: 5.5 mm
Number of Parts
231 parts
Power Reserve
56 hours
Number of Jewels
31 jewels, partially set in solid gold chatons
Automatic System
Uni-directional winding mechanism.
For 24 hours of autonomy 633 rotations of the Oscillating mass are required
Oscillating Mass
Entirely decorated by hand. 18 karat solid gold segment. Stainless steel centre pivoted on a high precision ceramic ball bearing to avoid excessive wear. To prevent damage to the movement and winding mass the extremities of the 4 arms are extended and guided by the case and case-back
Balance Wheel
Variable-inertia balance wheel with four white gold timing screws (diameter 10 mm)
Frequency
21.600 vibrations/hour
Balance Spring
Free-sprung with triangle hairspring stud
Escapement
Jewelled Swiss lever
Main Plate
Spotted and ruthenium electroplated brass main plate
Bridges
Stainless steel, bevels polished by hand, micro-blasted center, circular grain on the top to highlight the bridges shapes and relief engravings
Displays
Central hours and minutes
Small seconds at 6 o’clock
Case and dial
Number of components
68 parts
Dimensions
Diameter incl. case inserts: 44.5 mm
Diameter bezel: 43.3 mm
Thickness: 12.5 mm
Lug to lug: 53 mm
Water Resistance
10 atmospheres – 100 meters – 330 feet
Material
Stainless steel AISI 316L (1.4435)
Crown
Screw down crown. Triple gaskets with upright logo
Hands
Flame-blued or polished steel extended Lancette hands with blue light emitting Super-LumiNova® Grade X1. The small poised seconds hand
Strap
Integrated FKM rubber strap available in black, olive, blue, white or orange
Clasp
Stainless steel 316L micro adjustable (7 increments over 9mm). Embossed Grönefeld and logo engraving. Opening must be done by operating both push buttons at once
Crystals
Domed sapphire crystal on the front with hard anti-reflective coating on both sides
Flat sapphire crystal on the back with hard anti-reflective coating on both sides
Total Weight
135 Grams
