The Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer

May 17, 2019,08:43 AM

Senator Chronometer in a contemporary look

Certified in accordance with German chronometer standards

With the most recent edition of its successful Senator Chronometer, Glashütte Original presents certified precision in an elegant contemporary design. Inspired by the famous Glashütte marine chronometers of the 19th and 20th centuries, this wristwatch chronometer, too, is distinguished by its proven rate precision, perfect legibility and timeless aesthetics.

Subtle variation in design

The Senator Chronometer was introduced in the year 2009 and voted “Watch of the Year“ by readers of the trade magazine Armbanduhren the following year. Since then, the timelessly elegant model has emerged as a successful classic within the Senator Collection. In 2019, a contemporary version follows, featuring a newly designed case in red gold. The new model’s slimmer bezel offers more space for the dial and its refined, silver-grained texture.

Certified time measurement and German chronometer standards

The term chronometer characterises the most precise timekeepers of their generation, which must offer proof of their rate precision by undergoing stringent standardised testing. In the past, these exceptionally accurate and reliable timepieces were used primarily for navigation, in order to determine the exact position of a ship on the high seas. The standards for a contemporary chronometer remain high: only when a watch has earned the seal of approval from an authorised testing institute may it exhibit the proud title of “chronometer”. The Senator Chronometer offers proof of its quality in the form of official certification, by the German Calibration Service, as a chronometer, and assumes with pride its role as heir to its exceptionally accurate predecessors. A particular feature of the German chronometer standard is the requirement that one must be able to set the time precisely to the second, and that the movement undergo the entire test procedure while mounted in its case.

Distinctive colouring and surface structure

The elaborate finishing of the dial testifies to the expertise of the artisans who make the diminutive work of art in the watchmaker’s own dial manufactory in Pforzheim. The silver hue highlights the fine grain of the silver-grained lacquer and lends the surface a velvety texture. The railroad chapter ring, indexes and numerals are laser-engraved and subsequently galvanized in black. Pear-shaped hands in blued steel for hour and minute glide along their paths. Further hands in blued steel grace the running time indication and small seconds displays, which are turned into the dial, thus lending it additional depth.

Authentic historic models

The design of the displays takes its inspiration from historic marine chronometers: the small second is positioned at 6 o’clock, the running time display at 12 o’clock. In addition, the Senator Chronometer presents the characteristic Panorama Date at 3 o’clock, attuned to match the hue of the dial. Thanks to the so-called “jumping date”, the date change, which lasts only a few seconds, takes place precisely at midnight. The corrector, which assures maximum comfort when setting the date quickly, is located at 4 o’clock on the side of the case. A discreet day/night indication simplifies setting of the date and is positioned in a round opening within the running time display: from 6 in the morning until 6 in the evening, the little circle appears in white, from that point on in black.

Sophisticated technology

The functions are powered by the elaborately finished Calibre 58-01 manual winding movement. Among its features is a refined stop-seconds mechanism: when the crown is pulled out, the time display stops and the seconds hand is reset to zero and held in that position. At the same time the minute hand jumps ahead to the next full minute index. When one then turns the crown to set the time, the hand jumps ahead to the next minute index – thus ensuring that the correct relationship between seconds and minutes is maintained at all times. A sapphire crystal case back permits one to take in the classic features of the Glashütte art of watchmaking at a glance: the characteristic three-quarter plate, the screw-mounted gold chatons and the hand-engraved balance cock blend horological expertise with genuine craftsmanship. A dark brown Louisiana alligator leather strap with fold fastener or pin buckle in red gold complete the elaborate design of the new chronometer.

Important product facts:

Model name: Senator Chronometer

Launched: 2019

Reference number: 1-58-01-02-05-30 (fold fastener)

1-58-01-02-05-01 (pin buckle)

Movement: Manual winding Calibre 58-01, finely finished

Functions: Hour, minute and small seconds, stop-seconds mechanism, day/night indicator, running time indication, Panorama Date

Special feature: German Chronometer certification

Power reserve: 44 hours, 40 minutes (± 5 %)

Oscillating frequency: 28,800 vph, equivalent to 4Hz

Case: Polished/satin-brushed red gold, sapphire crystals front and back, water resistant to 5 bar

Dimensions: Diameter: 42.0 mm, height: 12.47 mm