Posts tagged #Spezichron

Insider: Glashütte Original Sixties Square Chronograph. Reminescent of the Mad Men Era.

This time we decided to skip the long detailed review and focus on sharing some nice live pictures of this flawless vintage inspired timepiece. The Glashütte Original Sixties Square Chronograph ref. 1-39-34-02-32-04 is a timepiece that truly transports us back to the 1960s and the Mad Men era. With its perfectly square cushioned shaped case in stainless steel measuring 41.35mm by 41.35mm and its black domed galvanized dial, this 30-minute chronograph clearly evokes the early days of GUB and its transformation into Glashütte Original with the first Spezimatics and Spezichrons.

This exceptional example of Saxonian watchmaking is powered by the Glashütte Original automatic calibre 39-34 composed of 51 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 40 hours while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph. Fitted with a gorgeous black alligator strap with pin buckle this watch is nothing but comfortable and elegant. The domed sapphire crystal on the front along with the domed sapphire crystal display case back complete the vintage essence of this timepiece.

Next time you get all envious while looking at Don Draper's wrist during one of those old classic Mad Men episodes, just relax and look at your wrist sporting this beautiful Sixties Square Chronograph. Then, tell yourself "What is there to be envious about?", at the end of the day you are wearing this flawless execution of a vintage inspired timepiece that looks and feels extremely vintage but without the potential headaches of a true vintage watch. Now, in case you don't fancy the black dial, this watch is also available with silver dial with rose gold markers, numerals and hands.

Sticker Price $9,300 USD. For more info on Glashütte Original click here.

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Glashütte Original and tagged Glashütte Original Sixties Square Chronograph ref. 1-39-34-02-32-04 Glashütte Original Calibre 39-34 Spezi Spezimatic Spezichron Mad Men Posts 2013.

Insider: Glashütte Original Sixties Panorama Date. A German Modern Vintage Timepiece Where 'Less is More'.

In 1845, Ferdinand Adolphe Lange founded the first watch manufacture in Glashütte, Germany, a place well known for its silver mining industry. At the time, the goal was to turn Glashütte into a German watchmaking central. In 1927, the first Glashütte Original watch appeared —a ladies watch bearing the 'Glashütte Original' imprint on the dial.

In the early 1950s, GUB —VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe— was formed through the merger of multiple firms including UROFA, UFAG, VEB Lange –formerly A. Lange & Söhne—, VEB Präzision Glashütte, VEB Messtechnik —formerly R. Mühle & Sohn—, VEB Feintechnik, VEB Estler and the Makarenko trade school.

In the mid sixties, two large automatic men's movements were launched under the 'Spezimatic' name and in 1978, the Glashütte Original 'Spezichron' with day and date was released.

Images below from the Glashütte Original website.

In the 1990s with the reunification of Germany, VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe changed to Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe GmbH and in October of 2000, the brand was acquired by the Swatch Group to be transformed from a locally renowned brand into a global luxury name. Today, Glashütte Original is one of the most sough after watches by savvy watchlifestylers and those in the know.

The Sixties Panorama Date ref. 23947030204 we are reviewing here belongs to the 20th Century Vintage collection of Glashütte Original. The vintage look of this timepiece clearly reminiscences the iconic watches from the Mad Men era —a time in which your wristwatch didn't say much about yourself unless you were wearing a Rolex. Nowadays, watches have turned into a clear reflection of individual taste as well as personality.

The Sixties Panorama Date ref. 23947030204 in stainless steel is a vintage modern watch fitted with a 42 mm case, a domed flat top sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a black domed galvanized dial —with white markers and stylized Arabic numerals at 12, 9, 6 and 3—, a display case back and the usual Glashütte Original iconic big date indicator at 6 o'clock composed by two-independent discs.

While the dial on this watch is black —also available in blue and silver—, the color of it varies depending on lighting conditions, going all the way from jet black to graphite gray and every other hue in between.

The watch features a gorgeous Louisiana alligator strap with a pin buckle that is very comfortable, soft and extremely well crafted. You really can't expect anything less from a brand like Glashütte Original or any other brand owned by the Swatch Group.

The Sixties Panorama Date comes with a screwed display case back that is worth talking about. While most display case backs include a small sapphire crystal, the Sixties Panorama Date features a case back mainly composed by a domed flat top sapphire crystal —very similar to the one on the front of the watch— surrounded by a very thin stainless steel bezel that is secured to the case via five screws. This case back offers a fantastic full view of the gorgeous Glashütte automatic calibre 39-47.

Overall, this watch is not only beautiful but also very comfortable, regardless of its thick case construction. The watch sits very nicely on the wrist without protruding too much. One thing that is worth highlighting, is that due to the domed shape of the crystal, the watch appears to wear larger than 42 mm and more like a 44-45 mm watch.

The Glashütte Sixties Panorama Date is a watch that definitely comes with the prestige and craftsmanship that the most demanding watchlifestylers seek when buying that next piece to add to their collections.

If you want to look like Don Draper or Peter Campbell on that next new business pitch, this watch is a must have.

Sticker Price $9,200 USD. For more info click here.