See: http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-033117a-soyuz-rocket-metal-watches-werenbach.html And: https://www.kickstarter.com/project...ilt-from-spaceborne-rockets?ref=project_tweet
Most Russian watches are made out of material recycled from Ladas, Yugos, and Trabants. Much cheaper.
Strange, if you go to their website http://werenbach.ch/ then scroll down to the bottom of this page http://werenbach.ch/konzept/ they would appear to be highlighting their use of 7750, 2892-A2 and Seiko cal.15 movements (presumably 6R15?)
Just hit the contact button and asked. Here is the reply: "For the earth collection we use seiko ne15. If you click on the watches on my webpage you will find the information you look for. Kind regards Patrick"
That's the same response I got even though I specifically asked if the origin of the movement was china. Considering the ne15 is identical to the 6r15 out of the new turtle but 1/2 the price. I'm not saying they are Chinese clones, just saying they did not deny it.
My understanding is that the ne15 is the unbranded version of the 6r15, but is still a Seiko movement rather than a Chinese clone. I have no idea where it is manufactured though or whether it is made under licence anywhere. This thread may shed some light on the relationship with the 6r15 (though it drifts off-topic) http://forums.watchuseek.com/f21/talk-me-about-6r15-automatic-movement-663975.html Others may have more definitive information. Edit - digging further, I believe both movements are produced by SII - Seiko Instruments Inc as per this spec sheet https://bigwatchworld.com/movement/sii-ne15seiko-6r15
The NE15 matches up with the 6R15 and as far as I'm aware is the same movement except shipped out to anyone who can pony up for them. Last I checked, I think a lot of these movements are made in Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan, but might also be made in other factories in Asia. Also as far as I know, the movements are all made to the same Seiko specifications, meaning good enough (at least for me) for the price point. Anyways, not interested in the watch in question, but I wouldn't knock the movement if it's the NE15. I've had a few 6R15's and they were all reliable and came in well-priced Seiko watches.
And it has arrived! Shipped Friday from Switzerland, arrived Monday in California, that alone is impressive. They ended up going with the STP1-11 movement, which was a nice upgrade. First impressions: I love it. Finish on the case is a nice even brushed look, caseback crisply engraved and has Werenbach log on the rotor. The textile strap is stiff and beefy, but I expect it to loosen up. Clasp has got a cool industrial machining look to it. It's got an inner rotating bezel controlled by the upper adjustment crown, and a screw-down movement adjustment crown with Werenbach logo. This watch is really all about the dial; its wonderfully imperfect, straight off the cladding of the MS-04 Soyuz rocket. Dial plots and hands have superluminova. I'll let the pics tell the story:
That is so cool, a watch made from a salvaged rocket ship ! The 21st century is officially here my friends.
And yet another venture: Mach 33 wrist watches http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-061218a-werenbach-mach33-watches-earth-views.html
Having considered the original ones I don't like these. It's just a little bit on the didi of the watch, it's cool, but I'd rather get one of the originals which seem nicer to me.
Werenbach wristwatches made from the metal of spent Soyuz launch vehicles recovered post-launch in Kazakhstan... For spaceflight aficionados it's interesting to highlight that the Werenbach '57 Spaceborn chronograph version flew in space in September 2015 with Danish ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen on Soyuz TMA-18M onboard the ISS for 9 days 20 minutes. Plenty of ESa and NASA ISS onboard photos but I like these best, as the watches are clearly visible in the foreground... Andreas Mogensen wore the Werenbach chronograph on his left wrist ! (Photos: ESA) . September 12, 2015 Andreas Mogensen's X-33 is taken off his righthand wrist, the Werenbach chronograph sits at his lefthand wrist. (Photo: ESA)