Loading...Glashütte in Germany is the historic hub of German watchmaking. Adolf Lange, Moritz Grossmann, just to name a few famous watchmakers started out in Glashütte.
After Germany’s reunification, we have seen a revival of German watchmaking which mostly lay dormant since World War 2. One of the success stories of Glashütte’s watchrevivals is Glashütte Original, now owned by Swatch Group.
Glashütte Original introduced a steel Perpetual Calendar timepiece at Baselworld 2017. While there was also a rose gold version presented, I want to look at the steel variant which can be had with either leather strap or steel bracelet, the latter giving it a quite modern and sporty look, even more so for a Perpetual Calendar which tends to be a classic timepiece in general.
The movement finishing and the whole watch exude the same elegance and perfection you would expect for this timepiece in Gold. It carries an inhouse movement with automatic rotor:
Movement
Glashütte Original manufactory movementDimensions
Diameter: 32.2 mm, height: 7.35 mmJewels
49Power Reserve
100 hFrequency
28,800 A/h, equivalent to 4 HzRemarks
exquisitely finished movement three-quarter plate/balance cock/rotor with Glashütte stripe finish screw balance with 4 adjustment screws fine adjustment rate symmetry using swan-neck spring skeletonized rotor with 21 ct gold oscillation weight bevelled edges polished steel parts adjustment of rate by adjustment screws
The photoshooting conditions in Baselworld were very difficult, as they were a part dark room and the other part super bright artificial lighting. Not easy to handle it. However, below is a wristshot which should give you an impression of this timepiece with its 42mm contemporary casesize. In steel it felt relatively lightweight as opposed to gold.
Just a quick glance at the rose gold timepiece.
While steel is less obvious, I find the rose gold Perpetual Calendar more elegant. But that is what Gold usually does. As a daily wearer, I would prefer steel however, as it is not catching as much attention and it wears a bit lighter. Both are wonderful perpetual calendar watches and serve the taste of many different people.
Each Glashütte Original Timepiece is tested for 24 days to assure quality. Testing parameters are at least on the same level as chronometer testing.
On a side note, I am soon heading to Glashütte and Dresden and will spend two days with Glashuette Original to visit the manufacture and attend some events. I would like to extend my thankfulness for this wonderful invitation by Swatch Group and Glashuette Original and I am looking forward to report about my visit after my return.
Details of this timepiece:
Reference Number
1-36-02-01-02-30Calibre
Automatic movement 36-02Functions
hour and minute (central) second second stop Perpetual Calendar with week day, Panorama Date, month, leap year and moon phaseCase
stainless steel, crown with double G-logo, screwed case back, waterproof up to 5 barDimensions
Diameter: 42.00 mm, height: 12.80 mmDial
varnished silver-grainé, hour markers/Roman numerals/ railroad chapter, engraved, galvanized in black, Arabic numerals, printed in red, hands bluedStrap
Louisiana Alligator leather strap black, fold fastener stainless steel