Wempe is going full throttle: Two new racing chronographs from Glashütte in pole position
As the official timing partner of the “ADAC Ravenol Nürburgring Endurance Series” (NLS) and the “ADAC Ravenol 24h” race at the Nürburgring (24h NBR), Wempe supports not only one of Germany’s largest racing series, but also Germany’s biggest motorsports event.
With perfect timing, the Hamburg-based family-owned company Wempe is launching two limited editions: the “Iron Walker Chrono XL Carbon Model 24h Nürburgring Edition,” limited to 24 pieces, and the “Zeitmeister Chrono 42 mm 24h Nürburgring Edition,” limited to 240 pieces.
Since the company was founded nearly 150 years ago, Wempe has been synonymous with innovation—in timekeeping, maritime chronometers, and chronometric quality standards, as well as in jewelry design and customer service, backed by Europe’s largest independent watch workshop. Now, Wempe is also making its mark in motorsports.
“As a motorsports fan, I’m excited to become part of Nürburgring history with Wempe starting in 2026,” says Chiara Wempe (27).
In fact, the limited partner and co-head of business development brings a strong personal commitment to the partnership. She has agreed that Wempe will serve as the Official Timing Partner for the NLS and the 24h NBR for at least three years.
“The ‘ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring’ is one of the most prestigious endurance racing events in the world—just as the NLS is a fixture and an established racing series on the legendary Nordschleife,” says Chiara Wempe, who also attends motorsport events in her free time.
She also has a particular passion for high-performance watches. As part of the development team for the “Wempe 24h Nürburgring” edition, she contributed her ideas and her keen sense of customer needs. The result is two exceptional mechanical chronographs that, according to Chiara Wempe, “contribute to the evolution of the racing experience—especially for the unique 24h family.”
Iron Walker Chrono XL Carbon Model 24h Nürburgring Edition
“Green Hell”—that’s the nickname Formula 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart gave to the famous northern section of the Nürburgring. The nearly 21-kilometer-long course, with its ups and downs, 73 turns, and blind crests through dense forest, is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world.
To complement this, the new “Iron Walker Chrono XL Carbon Model 24h Nürburgring Edition” features high-tech materials from the world of motorsports. Only 24 pieces will be produced, with four or five models reserved for the winning team.
Matte, jet-black, and crafted from scratch-resistant carbon fiber with a 46-millimeter diameter, this timepiece sits confidently on the wrist with its two easy-to-grip pushers. The dial, protected by sapphire crystal, features a carbon fiber texture, silver-framed sub-dials, and a tachymeter scale. For optimal visibility even in the dark, the stainless steel baton indices as well as the hour and minute hands have been coated with Super-Luminova.
This timepiece offers exciting racing details that will particularly appeal to Nürburgring fans: The number 24 is highlighted in gold next to the date—a nod to the 24-hour race. The hour marker at the 1 o’clock position is also gold, symbolizing first place. The tachymeter scale, which allows for the measurement of speeds, also features the inscription “24h Nürburgring.”
Including the rubber strap and black-coated stainless steel folding clasp, the timepiece weighs just 157 grams thanks to its lightweight and robust carbon case. It scores another point with its accuracy: Thanks to fine-tuning at Wempe in Glashütte, the SW 500 automatic movement and its stopwatch functions operate so precisely that the watch passes the German chronometer test (ISO 3159) and is certified as an official chronometer. The power reserve is 56 hours.
The black-coated stainless steel case back, featuring the engravings “Sternwarte Wempe Glashütte I/SA” and “1 of 24” as well as the “ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring” logo, serves as a reminder of the limited edition of just 24 pieces. (MSRP: €6,924)
Zeitmeister Chrono 42 mm 24h Nürburgring Edition
Slightly sleeker, more understated, and slimmer than its carbon-fiber counterpart—at just 16 millimeters thick—the “Zeitmeister Chrono 42 mm 24h Nürburgring Edition” is ready to hit the gas. The chronograph was designed and manufactured “Handmade in Germany”—specifically in Glashütte.
The ETA 7753 Valjoux automatic movement, with a 48-hour power reserve, has been awarded a German chronometer certificate. The Wempe development team also paid close attention to the watch’s handling: to make the crown and chronograph pushers easier to grip and more easily identifiable, they were coated with matte black DLC (diamond-like carbon). In addition, the date features a quick-set function via the crown.
Behind the anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the matte black dial features a framed date window between 4 and 5 o’clock, as well as three sub-dials with steel rings. These display the small seconds and serve as 30-minute and 12-hour counters during stopwatch operation. To ensure optimal readability, the stopwatch seconds hand is linked to the long central seconds hand.
A black-coated stainless steel bezel sits atop the watch. Not only does it protect the crystal from impacts, but it also features an engraved tachymeter scale that allows you to measure speeds—whether in everyday life or on the Nürburgring. A secure grip is provided by the black rubber strap with a textile overlay, which can be easily fastened with a folding clasp and adjusted with millimeter precision.
A maximum of 240 collector’s editions will be produced, as indicated by the engravings on the stainless steel caseback: “Sternwarte Wempe Glashütte I/SA,” followed by the “ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring” logo and the inscription “1 of 240.” (MSRP: €2,924)
