db darien
526
Time for a Change?
I've had a sidebar with some of you about the subject so let me put it out there.
I wonder if it isn't time for G.O. to move a bit more aggressively toward introducing an update to its Caliber 39. The 39 is venerable and reliable but it continues to be introduced into many new automatic models (most recently, the new Senator Seventies...). But we live in a time when advancements in the use of materials (e.g., silicone), escapement design and computerization, and the restrictions Swatch now places on third-party modifications of ETA/Valjoux movements, have prompted a renaissance in the introduction of newer self-winding and manual wind movements by top houses. Certainly G.O.'s manual wind movements are real pieces of art, but what about a new self-winding movement? I had thought that was the role to be played by the Caliber 100, but it seems that the older 39 still forms the core of many new automatics.
What do you think?
DB Darien
Baselworld 2011: The big PuristSPro report --- Glashütte Original
Basel 2011 Novelty report Glashütte Original by Marcus Hanke The new models by the Glashütte Original manufacture are more a consolidation of past years’ innovations, partially with new design. Rather spectacular is the "Sixties Square Tourbillon": while ...
Agreed, more a consolidation year...
I wondered where was the Senator Diary, now I know... The defy will be to remember what event was planned one month before, when the alarm will chime. As for the Seventies, not may cup of tea, but I'm sure it will find its fans. The Senator Navigator WT h...
For this, the next model will be the "Diary Notes" ....
... with a small notepad and pen attached to the watch strap. So you can note down the event of which the chime is expected to remind you ... Regards, Marcus
Thanks for the report Marcus, much appreciated
for those of us that could not make it this year. The pink gold with the black face is very striking on the Panorama Date and the Perpetual, any plans to see either of those in WG or Platinum? I still think GO is one of the most undervalued manufactures a...
a very attractoive set of releases
I love the use of rose gold in these releases. thanks for sharing. J
I like the Senator Automatic
The brushed dial reminds me of some of their Chronometres and the Wempe specials. Though the 70s is not to my liking, the bulk of the collection is interesting. I'm a bit disappointed there's nothing new with that Chronometre movement though, like a piece...
Thanks, as always, Marcus, for your reporting . . .
. . . on G O and the many other attendees at Basel. I find myself in agreement with your assessment that 2011 is a year of consolidation, owing to the absence of a significant movement innovation. The Senator Diary was introduced in 2010, but not ready fo...
Time for a Change?
I've had a sidebar with some of you about the subject so let me put it out there. I wonder if it isn't time for G.O. to move a bit more aggressively toward introducing an update to its Caliber 39. The 39 is venerable and reliable but it continues to be in...
There's a kernel of truth to your observations, DB . . .
. . . and a large kernel, at that. Certainly, the balance of 2011 G O novelties is weighted in favor of the venerable cal 39. Two of them are designed around a centrally located date aperture, for which the cal 39 already has a developed module. The Senat...
I think the new Senator Automatic was planned as entrance piece ...
... and I believe it is the cheapest watch of the GO line. With a cal. 100 it would have been considerably more expensive. Regards, Marcus
Less costly than either the Senator Sixties or . . .
. . . Senator HandDate, Marcus? That is thought-provoking, both on account of the needless dilution of the model that goes under the title "Senator Automatic", and also because the aesthetic is more refined than one would expect for an entry-level offerin...
A shaped sapphire crystal like that on the 60's back costs a lot ...
... therefore, it would be strange if the 60s weren't more expensive than the new date-less cal. 39 Senator. Regards, Marcus
Then I'll say it: I'm disappointed by G.O.
Art I have to say it at this point. I'm pretty disappointed with G.O. and what it's done of late. In the past year, I see very little technical innovation inside the cases of their otherwise attractive and well-finished watches. And as to the one watch th...
My thoughts are not so far from this...
To be honest I had expected that the caliber 100 would become the house workhorse and the 39 would move toward retirement with another robust movement being introduced that would anchor the sport models. It was a great movement and I understand that the c...
There's merit to your concern . . .
. . . from a collectors viewpoint, Mike. The Explorer or Speedmaster of today isn't that far removed from their predecessors in decades past, which is, I think, a factor behind the affection collectors have for these icons. The Senator Automatic has funda...
If we review movement introductions . . .
. . . by Glashütte Original in the last ten years, DB, how many would we come up with? Caliber numbers 22, 60, 61, 65, 58, 99, 95, 100, 90, and 93/94, not to mention the myriad permutations within cal 90 and 100. That's ten movements developed entirely in...
The problem is that innovation seems not to be sustainable at GO ...
... since many of the great movements you mentioned were quietly phased out again, before they could become some kind of standard. The wonderful PanoGraph started this development, let's then talk about the PanoMaticChrono - where is it now? And, msot rec...
From my view, the recent release . . .
. . . of the cal 58 . . . . . . and the continuation of the cal 95 in the PanoMatic Counter . . . . . . partially alleviates the admittedly painful loss of the cal 60 and (especially) 61. I'm not sure of the exact breakdown, but notionally, rendering the ...
Impressive
I think this is a great addition to the range, in a typical GO fashion of exquisite craftsmanship as always. Attended the Malaysia launch of these pieces last night, and I must say I think I have my eyes set on the seventies panodate now. The heft and fee...