Glashütte Original is a brand we appreciate. A symbol of German watchmaking whose name obviously recalls the origins. But, like A. Lange & Söhne for example, it often reflects the image of a very classic brand. Too classic, with elegant collections and real know-how, certainly, but also a lack of daring and originality. However, it would be a shame to limit Glashütte to austere production and its Seventies Chronograph Date Panaroma is there to prove it!
Glashütte Original, a historic brand undergoing a revival
Founded in 1845 in the small town of Glashütte, Saxony, Glashütte Original embodies German watchmaking excellence. Originally focused on the production of pocket watches and marine chronometers, the house has been able to renew itself over the centuries to become a key player in contemporary fine watchmaking.
For some time now, watch brands have not been afraid to add color to their dials. And the brighter it is, the better it seems! Next to the “classic” blue trio…Read more
Among its most emblematic models, we include the PanoMaticLunar, with its elegantly off-center moon phases, or the Senator Excellence, a symbol of precision and sobriety. The brand is also recognized as the specialist in large datesa seemingly simple complication, but still very poetic.
After complicated decades, the true renaissance of Glashütte Original began after German reunification, when the brand came under the umbrella of the Swatch Group in 2000. Since then, it has combined traditional know-how and modern innovations to offer watches to both classic and contemporary. It is notably one of the few to make its dials itself and by hand using very sophisticated techniques. And indeed, the Seventies collection is a perfect example of this fusion between heritage and modernity.
Swimming pool or watermelon: the Seventies (re)takes color!
It was in 2011 that Glashütte unveiled the Seventies Date Panorama for the first time… And if it remains in the shadow of the German brand’s emblematic collections mentioned previously, it certainly does not lack interest.
As its name suggests, its design is inspired by the 1970s and is reminiscent of that of a certain Multifort Big TV from Mido. Nevertheless, with the new Seventies Chronograph Date Panorama, Glashütte is bringing a real breath of fresh air to its collection.
The watch naturally retains its iconic 40mm square case with rounded corners. But the novelty lies in the dial, with two new limited editions Water Melon and Swimming Pool which follow in the footsteps of the Vibing Orange and Disco Blue of 2022. These two daring versions, limited to 100 pieces each, feature a dazzling dial: a bright red which evokes the juicy flesh of watermelon for the first, an almost turquoise blue which reminds the crystal clear water of a swimming pool for another.
With their velvety finish, these dials catch the light and offer remarkable depth, while the grooved counters surrounded by black rings add contrast and improve readability. In this regard, we appreciate the arrangement and variety of elements present on the dial, such as the 12-hour digital counter or the famous Panorama Grande Date, which integrate harmoniously into the design. And since Glashütte knows how to pay attention to details, a power reserve indicator is subtly added to the small seconds counter, at 9 o’clock.
Under the hood, these limited editions are powered by the caliber 37-02an automatic chronograph movement entirely developed and produced by Glashütte Original. Offering a generous power reserve of 70 hours, this movement is a true jewel of precision, with careful finishes at the height of Saxon fine watchmaking: Glashütte ribbing, blue screws and decorated skeleton rotor.
Finally, to complete this sporty chic outfit, this Seventies Chronograph Date Panorama comes with a choice of a stainless steel or rubber bracelet, for a more casual and sporty look.
Priced at €15,800 for the version with a rubber strap and €17,000 for the version with a steel bracelet, these two limited editions are the perfect opportunity to (re)discover the Glashütte brand under a new face. And appreciate the know-how of this historic figure in German watchmaking.
