Available in 18K red gold or stainless steel, the new Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar is the latest complication released by this German brand belonging to the Swatch Group. Based out of Saxony in Glashütte, Germany many dare to call this manufacture the 'poor man's Lange' in a despective way. However, in its short history, Glashütte Original has consistently shown that their watches are exceptionally good, its product quality is up to par with their price tag and the new Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar is no exception. Exquisitely finished and featuring the characteristic codes of Glashütte Original timepieces, this new watch is powered by the new automatic calibre 36 endowed with an impressive 100-hour power reserve. Remaining true to its DNA, this new perpetual calendar features the traditional panorama date that characterizes Glashütte Original timepieces and a clean well-balanced lay out.

The Dial

Its timelessly elegant appearance is enhanced by the off-white hue of its silver-grained dial and is echoed by the clean and easy-to-read layout of the multiple indications on its dial. Featuring galvanic black indexes and railroad chapter ring with Roman numerals at 12 and 6, the red gold version features minute numerals printed in red while the stainless steel model presents the leap year and minute numerals in black. With a leap-year indicator at 12 o'clock, apertures for the day of the week at 10 and month at 2, the panorama date aperture with its double-digit and the moon phase with its gold moon are the highlights of this dial.

The Case

Equipped with a generous but not too large case measuring 42 mm in diameter in either 18K red gold or stainless steel, the Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar is elegant and perfect on the wrist. Its case is finished with a satin brushed finish along the case band and with a highly polished bezel, lugs and case back. Its look is elegant and refined just as it is expected from a manufacture of this caliber and considering the price point of the watch. The adjustment of the calendar is made via the crown and through four discreetly located correctors throughout the case band with three on the left side and one right above the crown on the right case band.

The Movement

At the heart of the new Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar is the new calibre 36 automatic movement.  Equipped with an innovative silicon spiral that guarantees extreme precision and a single barrel that ensures a 100-hour power reserve while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph, the movement in this new watch is subject to a series of tests at the Saxon manufacture over a period of 24 days under conditions even more demanding than those of the challenging German Chronometer test. Accompanying the watch is a document with the test results for each watch in the form of an individual Examination Certificate. The movement is fully visible via the display case back and exquisitely finished with German stripes and a skeletonized oscillating weight with 21K yellow gold mass.

On the Wrist & Price

On the wrist, the new Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar wears true to its size and with immaculate wrist presence. The watch is delivered on a brown hand-stitched alligator strap with folding clasp matching the metal of the case.

In summary, the new Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar is a very elegant timepiece that packs a lot of watch for the money with exquisite finishes and consummate reliability. If you are looking for a Perpetual Calendar watch with this level of craftsmanship and quality without breaking the bank, this new watch along with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Perpetual Calendar would be the best options out there. For the price, it really doesn't get much better than this.

Sticker Price $37,100 USD for 18K red gold and $22,000 USD for Stainless Steel. For more info on Glashütte Original click here.