After the fall of the Berlin Wall, German brands that made a big comeback include Glashütte Original, whose understated timepieces embody micro-engineering and a horology tradition cultivated over 172 years in Saxony.
Glashütte Original takes its name from what was formerly a mining town, which became a hub for the crafting of fine timepieces on par with world-renowned Swiss watchmaking.
Traditional design elements, functionality and mechanical complexity are combined in the Senator family of watches, whose members include a steel reinterpretation of the Senator Chronograph Panorama Date and white gold Senator Moon Phase Skeletonised Edition.
White gold Senator Moon Phase Skeletonised Edition.
Launched in 2014 in platinum and red gold variations, the 42mm Senator Chronograph Panorama Date is powered by a newly-developed chronograph movement, the Calibre 37, offering 70 hours power reserve while featuring an integrated, compact construction with a flyback mechanism.
The 2017 remake is housed in an alternately polished and satin-brushed stainless steel case. The deep black dial is set off by contrasting white print and radiant blue Super-LumiNova highlighting hands, Roman numerals at 6 and 12 o'clock and all hour indexes, ensuring legibility under all lighting conditions.
The legibility is also a distinctive feature of the Panorama Date positioned centrally on the dial's lower half beneath a triad formed by the 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters and the small seconds display, in which the power reserve is charmingly integrated.
Strap options include matching steel bracelet, black calfskin sewn with blue thread, or black rubber adorned with a lightly textured, laser-cut decoration.
Glashütte Original's openwork prowess is showcased in the 42mm Senator Moon Phase Skeletonised Edition, whose filigreed dial reveals the finely decorated 49-13 manufactory movement driving the blued hour, minute and small second hands as well as the moon phase display positioned at 10 o'clock.
Marked with the words "auf" (up) and "ab" (down), a separate indicator located at 2 o'clock is dedicated to the 40-hour power reserve.
The German brand has its own dial manufactory in Pforzheim, and 95% of its components are made in-house for its vertically-integrated watchmaking that results in the elegant timepieces.
