The Story of Glashütte Original – A German Producer of Luxury Watches

Glashütte Original Sixties Panoramadate. Photo: A Gentleman’s World

With origins and customs dating back to 1845, Glashütte Original is one of a select group of notable prestige brands from Germany. Midway through the 19th century, Glashütte saw the start of manufacturing apprenticeships, and it quickly developed into the center of German watchmaking. By the turn of the 20th century, the Saxon timepiece industry had a good reputation for quality on a global scale. However, wartime hardships, financial challenges, and tough Swiss competition took their toll. 

The world war impacted Glashütte, bringing the town’s residents to strain in terms of grit and perseverance. In July 1951, all the preexisting Glashütte watchmaking firms merged due to the economic changes in structure. Later, the Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH was registered as a business on October 16, 1990, following German unification. 

Most manufacturing firms that had operated in Glashütte after World War II were officially and legally succeeded by the firm. Since the Swatch Group bought it in 2000, more than 95% of the manufacturing is now in-house. 

Glashütte Original integrates cutting-edge production techniques with ancient craftsmanship to produce some of the most exquisite, refined luxury watches in the middle of Germany’s watchmaking capital. The label is renowned for its rarity because each model is only made in a small number of pieces each year. Besides, limited editions are highly valued and most sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. 

With meticulous regard to detail for casings, dials, movements, and indexes, vertical integrating enables aesthetically appealing overall designs. The phrase “Made in Germany” is proudly displayed on Glashütte Original dials, while the Saxon architectural language is prominently featured across the collection.

Here is a brief tour of the Glashütte Original modern history watches:

• Glashütte Original Panomaticlunar

This modernized version of the 2000s-era model was created in 2015. Ever since, it has been offered alongside the PanoReserve, its hand-wounded sibling. 

Glashütte Original Panomaticlunar timepiece distinguishes, thanks to its simple yet attractive graphics. There is a sense of manual integrity about this particular German and uniquely Saxon. The piece appears to be well-balanced and expertly built. Moreover, the moon face signal has a poetic quality. 

On the other hand, Glashütte Original Panomaticlunar’s dial is distinguished by its galvanic finishing, centralized design, and legible inscriptions. It captures the lighting and mirrors it in a variety of colors, from warm yellow tints to cool blue hues. Also, its dismantled design, which is recognizable as Saxon, is among the key draws.

Lastly, Glashütte Original Panomaticlunar features two swan necks and vibrates at a pace of 28,000. It also offers the indisputable Saxon appeal in addition to being sharp, practical, and stylish and exerts a significant mechanical force.

Glashütte Original Panomaticlunar

• Glashütte Original Senator Excellence

In 2016, the initial senator excellence version was unveiled. Many considered this model appealing because of its fresh internal movement and attractive features. 

The newest Glashütte Original Senator Excellence has a similar diameter as the prior model but a slimmer bezel. Featuring polished case bands, the casing is more attractive and crisper. The dial serves as the most crucial component of this type. It facilitates reading time for the user and is highly aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, the piece is distinctive because it uses conventional coding and has a white display, tracker, blue indexes, plus black Roman numbers.

Glashütte Original Senator Excellence

• Glashütte Original Sixties

The 2007-released Glashütte Original Sixties was a significantly influenced historical design from the 1949–1990 GDR era. It has minor features and is an excellent piece at a reasonable value. Moreover, this variant represents a formal dress piece with marked hours, minutes, plus seconds. 

The Glashütte Original Sixties watch has a 39mm diameter with a 9.4mm thickness and is round. It is a timepiece that can withstand water pressure up to 30 meters. Furthermore, it has an exceptionally good finish, including Glashütte rib, a rotor that has been made skeletonized, as well as a three-quarter faceplate. 

Additionally, this watch features a 21k gold oscillating weight and is decorated with the double G emblem of Glashütte Original. It is controlled by a precise swan-neck adjustment and is quite similar to the previous GUB model. Besides, the dial’s “sixties-style” icons add to its qualities, which may be worn every day.

Glashütte Original Sixties

• Glashütte Original Ladies

The Glashütte Original Ladies line reinterprets classic design in a feminine manner. The Pavonina, PanoMatic Luna, and Lady Serenade models make up the range, which provides clocks in striking yet elegant hues, forms, and coatings. With such a Glashütte Original Ladies timepiece, you’re certain to find the ideal accessory for yourself or the ideal present for that special lady in your life.

Glashutte Original PanoMaticLunar Ladies

Conclusion 

Among the few German Haute Horlogerie labels with a heritage that dates back to 1845 is Glashütte Original. The Saxon label combines skillful manual watchmaking with eye-catching patterns, hues, and patterns. With selections that range from extremely sporting to extremely retro and exceedingly classic, there is something for everybody.

In addition, the exquisite finishing offered by Glashütte Original. Glashütte ribbed, three-quarter discs, golden chatons, and swan-neck precision adjustment are just a few of the high-end specifications in the in-house movements that are distinctive to the area.

A specialty of the region, huge date displays are included in a number of Glashütte Original versions, while other watches are certified chronometers, indicating a high level of accuracy.

Also, Glashütte Original provides a variety of timepieces in stainless steel. This is in contrast to A. Lange & Söhne that has concentrated on creating pieces in valuable metals. Due to this choice, Glashütte Original can now provide several variants at incredibly low rates that give outstanding value.