Zeitwinkel Updates Its Classic 082° Central Second Watch

For more than 15 years, Zeitwinkel, an independent watchmaker based in Saint-Imier, has quietly crafted mechanical watches focused on precision, clarity, and long-term reliability. Founded in 2006, the brand produces all its movements in-house and builds every watch by hand in small numbers. Its collections, including the 273° with large date, the 188° with small seconds, and the recent 240° sports watch, all show fine craftsmanship without unnecessary, or rather with a restrained decoration. The Zeitwinkel 082° Central Second, first introduced in 2009, represents the brand’s most straightforward expression of its philosophy. Now redesigned, the new 082° keeps the character of the original but gets a more refined case, sharper details, and an updated dial while continuing to use Zeitwinkel’s own calibre ZW0102.

The new Zeitwinkel 082° is available in 39mm or 42.5mm stainless steel cases made from a high-quality alloy that resists corrosion and feels smooth on the skin. Each case is made up of 26 parts and assembled by hand in more than 80 individual steps. The surfaces alternate between brushed and polished finishes, giving the watch a balanced, technical look. The slightly domed sapphire crystal has an anti-reflective coating on the inside, and the sapphire display back reveals the movement. A screw-down crown with dual O-rings helps guarantee 50m water resistance. Despite its solid construction, the case wears well thanks to the curved lugs and moderate thickness of 11.6mm (39mm model) or 11.7mm (42.5mm model). Lug-to-lug is measured at 47.5mm and 52mm, respectively.

At first glance, the dial looks simple, but Zeitwinkel’s design is built on layers and texture. Each dial is made from three separate sections: a central plate decorated with a subtle pattern inspired by the brand’s logo, a broad ring for the hour markers with a fine circular finish, and an outer minute track for precise reading.

The dials come in Silver or Black Or, both galvanised for long-lasting colour stability. There’s also an additional version with a silver central part, framed by a light blue chapter ring, for a more casual look. Applied numerals and indices add three-dimensional depth, while the diamond-cut hands are angled to catch the light cleanly on one side only. The central seconds hand is polished steel or thermally blued, depending on the dial colour.

The Zeitwinkel 082° series runs on the brand’s in-house calibre ZW0102, an automatic movement designed and built in Saint-Imier. The movement is constructed using a solid three-quarter plate made from uncoated German silver (maillechort), with 30 jewels, employs a bi-directional winding rotor, and provides a 72-hour power reserve. Operating at 28,800 vibrations/hour, the calibre is regulated in five positions for precision. All components are finished by hand: Côtes de Genève on the bridges, perlage on the baseplate, polished bevels, and screws chamfered and polished.

Customers can choose between a hand-sewn calfskin strap with an embossed alligator texture or a natural caoutchouc rubber strap. The leather is vegetable-tanned and hypoallergenic; the rubber strap is UV-resistant and tearproof. Both are closed with a stainless-steel folding clasp engraved with the Zeitwinkel logo.

The Zeitwinkel 082° is made to order; prices are CHF 16,107 (incl. VAT) or CHF 14,900 (excl. VAT). Should you prefer a no-central-seconds variant, the Zeitwinkel 312° shares the same characteristics, movement, and price. For more, visit Zeitwinkel.ch.