By Harlan Chapman-Green
There’s something to be said for watch manufacturers which are non-traditional which make their living from that fact. The best examples of companies like this are found in Glashütte, Saxony, where watchmaking is as refined as in Switzerland. Although artisans hone their techniques and skills, German also pride themselves on being different with their watches, one of the best at this is Glashütte Original. Glashütte Original watches are sometimes seen as cut-price A. Lange & Söhne watches, and while there are a few similarities down the model lines, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Senator Chronograph Panorama Date is just one example of this.
The Caseback
Let’s go straight to the back of the watch where the movement is on display. An automatic winding movement, the Calibre 37 is an in-house built, column wheel gem. Along with all this, the chronograph function is also flyback, so you don’t need to go through a whole step process to reset it, just press the reset pusher on the fly. Finally, there is a uniqueness to the build of this chronograph: it’s integrated. What this means is that Glashütte Original built the chronograph system into the movement. It is common to see us when talking about chronograph wristwatches mention a ‘chronograph module’. That’s when the chronograph functions are a part of a bolt-on system, which you can attach to any movement, in theory, specialist companies such as Dubois Depraz make them for loads of watches. There’s nothing wrong with doing it this way, Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Offshore collection is hugely popular and uses chronograph modules instead. Integrated chronographs are more valued merely for the extra layer of effort required to build them.
The Front
At 42mm in diameter and 14.6mm in thickness, this stainless steel chronograph dress watch is a modern piece for the go-anywhere gentleman. The black dial is neutral in theme, but the subtle colouration of the watch is cool, thanks to the blue SuperLumiNova on the lancet hands and the markers. The chronograph subdials are clean, straightforward, and legible. That’s partly thanks to the unique shape of the running seconds hand, which has a counterweight, while the chronograph subdial hands do not. Smart details in watches like this go a long way, one of the best I’ve seen is the power reserve indicator, which is hidden inside the running seconds subdial. By the way, the power reserve of this watch is 70 hours when wound, though that may be different when the chronograph is running.
Another detail on this watch, not secretive in any way, is the date window at 6 O’clock. The date window is made up of two discs between which, unlike on other watches using a similar system, there is no difference in depth. Although, this is something you probably won’t notice without a loupe, especially considering how awesome the watch looks. Complimenting the colour theme on the dial, the black leather strap of the watch even has light blue stitching. The fact that this watch is steel means that it’s quite practical, and doesn’t require so much coddling as other dressy pieces might (don’t be too harsh, that movement is still complicated!). We love the look of it, sleek and stylish, but quite large and modern too. glashuette-original.com
