MTF[PuristS]
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Baselworld 2010: Glashütte Original
Apr 04, 2010,08:42 AM
Baselworld 2010: Glashütte Original
by Marcus Hanke
This year, Glashütte Original continued its course to consolidate its various lines. After an era of fireworks with new models each year, GO now concentrates on presenting fewer novelties, but with the intention of offering those at the dealers within a shorter time.
The
"PanoMatic Lunar XL" is the larger version of the moonphase PanoMatic. With 42mm diameter, it is dimensioned following the current market demand. Unlike some other manufacturers, whose XL-variants seem to be rather plump and disproportioned, the PanoMatic XL is a perfectly harmonious design. It is available in pink gold and stainless steel. The latter will be especially popular, due to its attractive grey galvanized dial.
Even more stunning is the stainless steel variant of the
"PanoInverse XL". Its double swanneck-regulator, visible on the "Dial" side, makes this watch absolutely unique. Unlike the original version in gold cases, the new steel variant does not have blued screwheads. The mirror-polished finish of the steel screwheads now perfectly matches the ruthenium-coated plates of the movement. In my personal opinion, this variant is even more attractive than the golden ones.
Finally, the
"Senator Sixties", too, received its panorama date. Located between the dial center and 6, the panorama date does not disturb the unique appearance of the "Sixties", but offers more everyday comfort. Spontaneously I had regretted that GO had not chosen the unique typefont of the 13, 3, 6 and 9 on the dial also for the date display. However, it was explained to me that this, while having been the preference of the GO staff as well, had not worked, due to the very long and slim proportions of this font. Consequently, a sans serif font typically used in 1960s printing, was chosen for the panorama date.
The
"Senator Chronograph XL" was now released with a bright dial made from German silver:
While all novelties presented until now have been variations of existing watches and movements, the first technically true novelty is the
"PanoMaticCounter XL". The PanoMaticChrono has been modified by adding a counting mechanism. Thus, the new cal. 96-01 permits counting upward from 1 to 99, or downward from 99 to 1, depending on the pusher pressed. What you want to count, is not specified, but for people having trouble to sleep and who are counting sheep, this might be a perfect function ...
Finally, one of the most interesting innovations of this year's fair, is the
"Senator Diary". This magnificent watch has an integrated alarm chime. Responsible for the extraordinarily long alarm sound of more than 90 seconds is a separate, manually-wound spring barrel. This, however, is not the innovation: All previously released mechanical alarm wristwatches were able to preset the alarm but for one day, most even for twelve hours only. The "Diary" has a complex mechanism (the movement consists of 594 parts!), permitting to preset the alarm for a complete month! The alarm sound is rather loud and not unpleasant, somewhere between the classic Schild AS 5008 (LJP 5900) and the JLC 912. When worn on the wrist, the vibrations are felt clearly.
The "Diary" has a case diameter of 42.2 mm and is offered in pink gold and stainless steel.
Editor's Note
Since our PuristS Tour of the GO manufacture in 2003, when I met Herr Dr Prof Marcus Hanke for the first time, after which, the current Mrs MTF bought me a GO watch for Christmas, I have been following the brand's output with interest. We've had some howlers like the regulator with tourbillon that cut outs a segment of the minute ring; surely the counterintuitive design of the decade as the point of a regulator dial is to read the minutes clearly!
The most interesting mechanical novelty is the 'Senator Diary' for the sheer number of parts needed to function; I am in awe. But, my Blackberry does the same job and can be set in seconds.....
Still, it is good to see GO still offering value for money in the haute horlogerie segment for SWATCH Group. After the recent battering taken by the German watchmaking industry from the economic downturn, any sign of life is a good thing.
Melvyn Teillol-Foo