Comments:
A tribute to Dresden – Made in Glashütte The PanoMaticInverse Limited Edition
The Frauenkirche, the Academy of Fine Arts, the Elbe riverside… Dresden has many
landmarks whose fame extends well beyond the borders of the country. Less well
known is Dresden’s particular significance for the watchmaking town of Glashütte:
the decisive impulse to establish the art of watchmaking in the Ore Mountains
originated in the focal point of Saxony’s art and culture in the 19th century. Today
Glashütte Original pays tribute to the historical importance and forward-looking
character of Dresden with a hand-engraved special edition that celebrates tradition
Florence on the Elbe
That Dresden is always worth a visit is as true in 2024 as it was 300 years ago. Today’s
capital of the federal state of Saxony developed in the Baroque period into a fascinating
metropolis in which art and culture, science and technology flourished. A number of the most
famous sights whose silhouettes still mark the cityscape today have their origin in this time
and earned Dresden its “Florence on the Elbe” nickname. First and foremost is the distinctive
dome of the Frauenkirche in the heart of the city. In close proximity lies the monumental
Academy of Fine Arts, erected at the end of the 19th century on the banks of the Elbe, where
A tale of two cities
Although the town of Glashütte is set amidst the woods and meadows of the Eastern Ore
Mountains, about 35 minutes by car from Dresden, its ties to the city have always been
close. The Glashütte success story began long ago in Dresden: it was there that the decision
was taken to establish the craft of watchmaking in the Ore Mountains and to set up an
independent Saxon watch industry. Even today its proximity to the state capital impacts the
Glashütte Original manufactory. Along with a variety of cultural and commercial ties, since
2012 the watchmaker has operated a brand boutique close by the Frauenkirche. Now the
firm’s design and watchmaking teams have taken inspiration from these and other
A watch with a unique architecture
The remarkable PanoMaticInverse, itself an architectural work of art, served as a canvas for
the project. Its construction is based on a novel interpretation of traditional mechanics: the
inverse arrangement of several different components reveals the movement from an
unusual perspective, lending the watch an avant-garde, technical aspect. Glashütte
Original’s engravers then added characteristic views of Dresden to the components by hand:
a fine miniature homage to the city’s beauty, packed into a round 42-mm platinum case and
landmarks whose fame extends well beyond the borders of the country. Less well
known is Dresden’s particular significance for the watchmaking town of Glashütte:
the decisive impulse to establish the art of watchmaking in the Ore Mountains
originated in the focal point of Saxony’s art and culture in the 19th century. Today
Glashütte Original pays tribute to the historical importance and forward-looking
character of Dresden with a hand-engraved special edition that celebrates tradition
and modernity with considerable originality.
That Dresden is always worth a visit is as true in 2024 as it was 300 years ago. Today’s
capital of the federal state of Saxony developed in the Baroque period into a fascinating
metropolis in which art and culture, science and technology flourished. A number of the most
famous sights whose silhouettes still mark the cityscape today have their origin in this time
and earned Dresden its “Florence on the Elbe” nickname. First and foremost is the distinctive
dome of the Frauenkirche in the heart of the city. In close proximity lies the monumental
Academy of Fine Arts, erected at the end of the 19th century on the banks of the Elbe, where
a magnificent panorama attracts walkers, athletes and tourists throughout the year.
Although the town of Glashütte is set amidst the woods and meadows of the Eastern Ore
Mountains, about 35 minutes by car from Dresden, its ties to the city have always been
close. The Glashütte success story began long ago in Dresden: it was there that the decision
was taken to establish the craft of watchmaking in the Ore Mountains and to set up an
independent Saxon watch industry. Even today its proximity to the state capital impacts the
Glashütte Original manufactory. Along with a variety of cultural and commercial ties, since
2012 the watchmaker has operated a brand boutique close by the Frauenkirche. Now the
firm’s design and watchmaking teams have taken inspiration from these and other
landmarks to create a spectacular timepiece.
The remarkable PanoMaticInverse, itself an architectural work of art, served as a canvas for
the project. Its construction is based on a novel interpretation of traditional mechanics: the
inverse arrangement of several different components reveals the movement from an
unusual perspective, lending the watch an avant-garde, technical aspect. Glashütte
Original’s engravers then added characteristic views of Dresden to the components by hand:
a fine miniature homage to the city’s beauty, packed into a round 42-mm platinum case and
executed in a splendid contemporary style
Hand-engraved sights
Each of these special edition watches is engraved by hand, rendering it unique. The
engraver’s delicate touch brings the silhouettes of familiar Dresden buildings and
panoramas into view. The roof of the Academy of Fine Arts and its winged statue of Fama
are memorialized on the front, next to the unmistakable “lantern” atop the Frauenkirche
dome. Its form is taken up on the back of the watch by a skeletonised rotor that turns above
an idyllic view of the Elbe promenade. With every glance this scene reveals new, lovingly
drawn details. The balance bridge, for example, is adorned with baroque ornaments, and in
the sky over the rooftops of the city one sees not just birds and clouds, but a small hot air
balloon as well — a familiar sight to every citizen of Dresden. The dial’s off-centre time
display cedes centre stage to the engravings beneath: sapphire crystal rings ensure optimal
transparency and make the dial appear to float above the artfully decorated three-quarter
plate.
Each of these special edition watches is engraved by hand, rendering it unique. The
engraver’s delicate touch brings the silhouettes of familiar Dresden buildings and
panoramas into view. The roof of the Academy of Fine Arts and its winged statue of Fama
are memorialized on the front, next to the unmistakable “lantern” atop the Frauenkirche
dome. Its form is taken up on the back of the watch by a skeletonised rotor that turns above
an idyllic view of the Elbe promenade. With every glance this scene reveals new, lovingly
drawn details. The balance bridge, for example, is adorned with baroque ornaments, and in
the sky over the rooftops of the city one sees not just birds and clouds, but a small hot air
balloon as well — a familiar sight to every citizen of Dresden. The dial’s off-centre time
display cedes centre stage to the engravings beneath: sapphire crystal rings ensure optimal
transparency and make the dial appear to float above the artfully decorated three-quarter
plate.
A movement with precision and character
Dresden today is a modern, multi-faceted city with much to offer, and the movement of the
PanoMaticInverse Limited Edition beats just as tirelessly as the heart of this metropolis. The
automatic Calibre 91-03 presents an off-centre display with hours, minutes and small
seconds, flanked by the classic Panorama Date. The balance oscillates at a frequency of
28,800 A/h and is carefully regulated using a duplex swan-neck fine adjustment. The
movement is further distinguished by its elaborate decorative finishes: the hand-engraved
and rhodium-plated frame components complement polished steel parts, bevelled edges,
and blued screws. All can be easily admired through the sapphire crystal on both sides of
the watch.
Dresden today is a modern, multi-faceted city with much to offer, and the movement of the
PanoMaticInverse Limited Edition beats just as tirelessly as the heart of this metropolis. The
automatic Calibre 91-03 presents an off-centre display with hours, minutes and small
seconds, flanked by the classic Panorama Date. The balance oscillates at a frequency of
28,800 A/h and is carefully regulated using a duplex swan-neck fine adjustment. The
movement is further distinguished by its elaborate decorative finishes: the hand-engraved
and rhodium-plated frame components complement polished steel parts, bevelled edges,
and blued screws. All can be easily admired through the sapphire crystal on both sides of
the watch.
The new PanoMaticInverse Limited Edition takes the beholder on a journey to a fascinating
city, always worth visiting once again. The Dresden Special Edition is limited to 25 pieces
and will be available beginning April 25, 2024 at Glashütte Original Boutiques around the
world.
city, always worth visiting once again. The Dresden Special Edition is limited to 25 pieces
and will be available beginning April 25, 2024 at Glashütte Original Boutiques around the
world.
Proud to be the Original #PTBTO
Well, not much my taste, but it was already the case with the former PanoInverse LE which was manual... But to each his own, my point of view is highly subjective.
Things that make you go hmmmm....
This song just came to mind as I looked at the photos.
Sorry guys, but… I find more appealing the series version rather this “special” one. Surely, a matter of taste.
An elaborate, fine platinum watch made in exclusive numbers: something for people who have a strong connection to Dresden. Why not, makes sense and looks nice.
Quite romantic and calm looking, actually.