Glashütte Original

While examining a model in a jewelry store, I surprisingly discovered an oxidation spot on the display of the watch. Moreover the watch-strap and the clasp do not look trustworthy to me. Am I the only one to be mistrustful?

. . . and I've purchased five G O's in the last four years. All have been visually as close to perfect as one could expect, and the performance issues for one of them was resolved on it's second trip to the manufactory. Cordially, Art

I've had a RG Panograph for over two years. The finishing of the case, dial and movement are superb, even under the scrutiny of a loupe. No oxidation anywhere. GO's straps are adequate, a bit on the thin side for me. The double deployant has been reliable and performed without any problems, as has the watch.

In the end, no problems, no regrets.

Regards,

SMS

I have a RG Panograph. After about 3mos it distructed. Panograph feature broke. I sent it back,wanted an explanation as to why it happened. No response. After many futile attempts Marcus intervend and I finally did recieve a response b ut no explanation. The repair was completed in a respectable amount of time. My complan t is taht it was returned with a noticle flaw under the back glass. It bothered me but I have accpeted it,rather than sending the watch back again. I think that the finalk inspections are suspent and for an 18k watch it should have been returned in flawlwess comdition. It was only 3 mos old when it "broke"

but after having drawn the attention of GO to the oxidation spot discovered on the dial of one of their watches, all I got from their side was a lousy answer like ? we are doing our best ?.... Moreover it took them over 2 months to send me a simple catalogue with an up-to-date price list in CHF. None of their local retailers was able to provide me with those documents. Their watches are indisputably superb (history, in-house movements, big-date, German brand....), but there is still some room for improvement on the customer service side. If one is ready to spend over EURO 6?500.- for a ?simple? SS watch, then the utmost attentiveness is required. Guess I will have to save a few EURO more for a LANGE 1.

I know that GO stands by its product, and wants its cusotmers to be satisfied. Sometimes, problems can appear only a while after the final quality control, such as oxidation spots on the dial. These can happen when the protective lacquer is not perfectly applied, or rubbed off on a small spot during further assembly. the only way to guarantee an absolutely equal lacquer protection of the dials would be to have all the production made by robots, without any human hands interfering. but we are a strange bunch of people, and pay a premium in order to get a mostly hand-made product, where the human error factor is inherent.

As these things can happen, I am sure that GO will really take care of the problem; and if they tell you they "do their best", then this is really serious.

Regarding the catalogue: All of us had to wait for this catalogue now. If you were really honest, you would not have stated it is a "simple catalogue". The "Opus" catalogue is a book, marvelously made, full of historical and technical information. I have yet to see a similarly high-quality catalogue book from other high-end watch makers (maybe JLC, I really like their book; and, interestingly, Sinn - great stuff!). The new book was in production for a while, and it would not have made sense to send you an outdated book, which does not show many of the more recent models. Therefore, you were served as soon the new catalogue was available. Every company in the world would act like this, so IMHO, your critique was not justified.

Regards,
Marcus

Hi Markus,

Thank you very much for your interesting input regarding the protective lacquer.

Concerning the 2005 catalogue, I still believe that having to wait two months, i.e. until December 2005 (!) ? with only a few weeks to go before 2006 -, is a little bit exaggerated. I am living in Switzerland, so it is not at the other end of the world for a manufactory based in Germany.

I grant you that the catalogue itself is well designed compared to the one of other brands...

... but others are equally good; just take a look at the catalogues of GP and IWC (and of course JLC, which you already mentioned).

My point is, if a brand wants to establish itself durably in the high-end watch makers category, it has to be able to take care of its prospects (for example me) and customers (see thread above of Anonymous on Dec 11, 2005).

If not, then I rather go and buy myself a 5 EURO Swatch (no offence intended), which (i) is definitely a better timekeeper than a mechanical watch and (ii) allowed Nicolas G. HAYEK to buy companies like GO...

Once is enough don?t you think?

Season?s Greetings to you and to your colleagues. You are doing a tremendous job.

And of course to everybody else out there.

Regards

PO

Hello Dr Hanke,

I am interested in GO's panograph. However my background knowledge of German watchmakers is light. Would you recommend some background material to get better aquointed ?

I am also interested in understanding the links between GO and Lange & Sohne and the potential quality difference(s) between their calibers (both ingeneering and manufacturing aspects ?)

Many Thanks,

KDC