BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
Glashütte Original pleasantly surprised us with the release of Glashütte Original SeaQ back in 2019. Clearly, we did not anticipate GO to produce a diving watch with this level of durability by branching out from its usual lineup of eminent timepieces imbued with the classic ethos of the German School of Watchmaking. The SeaQ collection drew many design influences from the Spezimatic, a dive watch produced in 1969 by a consortium of brands forming a singular entity and dubbed GUB (Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe).
For 2022, Glashütte Original has continued the surprise element with the release of their newest Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph, the robust diving watch with a chronograph. The combination of a diver with a sophisticated anti-magnetic flyback chronograph movement has resulted in a powerful tool watch with dual functionality and dual purpose. Each of the two functions tackles the same problem in different ways, however, the primary underlying purpose remains the same, to measure the elapsed time, and Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph incorporates both functions in one watch. Provided, by far it’s not the first time that a dive watch is combined with a chronograph movement, but it’s a first for Glashütte Original’s SeaQ.
Technical specifications of the watch include a satin-brushed and polished stainless steel case measuring 43.2mm. A unidirectional rotating dive bezel with dark blue ceramic inlay and a 60-minute scale. Sapphire crystals protect the dial from both sides, offering anti-reflective treatment on both sides as well. The water resistance is rated at 300m.
The case plays host to the domed dial in dark blue (PVD) and dazzles us with a sunray-brushed finish. The applied rhodium-plated numerals and markers are treated with Super-LumiNova, as well as the large arrow-shaped hand for minutes, hour, minute, running seconds hands and triangle on the bezel. The two chronograph registers for running seconds and 30-minute elapsed time counter are found at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock respectively. The registers are embellished with snailed interiors and white markings and are darker in color than the dial. The Panorama Date is found at 6 o’clock with blue background and white numerals.
The calibre 37-23 (base calibre 37) powers the new Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph. It is an automatic movement with an integrated column-wheel flyback chronograph. This chronograph is much more complex than a typical chronograph in that it allows users to reset and restart the chronograph at the same time with the push of a single button. Operating at 4Hz frequency, the movement stores a 70h power reserve.
A number of strap options are available, alongside a stainless steel bracelet with a fine-adjustment mechanism. The strap options are dark blue rubber, grey fabric and blue fabric, each of them further has a choice between a pin buckle or a folding clasp.
The availability of the Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph starts from October 2022 at Glashütte Original Boutiques and selected retailers worldwide and is priced at EUR 14,100 on straps with pin buckle (extra EUR 300 for folding clasp) and EUR 15,300 stainless steel bracelet.
