Glashütte Original

. . . crossed my mind. One of the reasons I'm taken with Glashütte Original as a manufacturer is their modest and unpretentious corporate image - they do not seem to have a 'flagship' line or model. They will likely never create a grand complication. Most of their tourbillons are extensions of existing ranges that include relatively affordable models. There are tourbillons of limited production, but these are watches for a special sort of collector - the sort that cares little for prestige and peer approval, and appreciates fine watchmaking for it's own sake.

There have been many exquisite chronographs - PanoRetroGraph, Panograph, PanoMatic Chrono, Senator Rattrapante - but these, too, seem not to be the focus of many collectors; it seems that very few have more than one of any of the 'heavyweight' chronos. The exquisite cal 42 and cal 49 models have their fans - I count myself as one - but I can't say that any of them are icons. The laterally expansive Pano series is iconic, but likewise, I can't say that any of them are icons per se.

In my humble opinion, Glashütte's métier is the application of perpetual calendar complications to otherwise standard movements, and offering them at reasonable prices. It would be difficult to pick one as especially worthy, but if I had to choose one, it would be the limited edition steel Navigator perpetual:

glashutte.watchprosite.com

All in all, though, I don't think any model has the same iconic weight as the FF does for Blancpain, the Speedmaster for Omega, or the Submariner for Rolex. That, I believe, is a function of the quiet sensibility that seems to guide Glashütte Original . . . cordially, Art This message has been edited by Dr No on 2009-12-22 21:46:40

I find Glashutte pano series dial layout is very unique and  in my humble opinion an iconic of Glashutte Origianl. If I have to limit myself to one Glashutte, it has to be one of pano series.

Apart from the dial layout, I find myself look more and more on the movement of the Panograph, to my untrained eyes, the movement design, layout, finishing for the calibre 61 is second to none and well deserve their right in watchmaking history.

Thank you.

. . . I'd be hard-pressed to come up with another watch that came with as finely finished an integrated manual winding chrono movement* at anywhere near the price.  It's a bit disappointing that the Panograph had such a short production run, and those that have them are fortunate indeed . . . cordially, Art

* Montblanc's Nicolas Rieussec is the only current equivalent that comes to mind 

Were I forced to pick one watch that represents what GO is all about it would be the panograph. While I agree with Art that it is difficult to put a finger on one universally accepted model as THE grail the design aesthetic and inherent value of the panograph does more to sum up what GO is about than any other single piece in my mind. 

. . . the Panograph is not the most exotic model from G O's catalog. I suspect that if the average watch-forum participant were asked to choose a grail PP, VC, Lange, or AP, the choice would come from the upper echelons of their respective lines. By nominating the Panograph as the most likely G O grail watch, would it be fair to say you're weighing the value represented as a primary consideration? If so, that would be confirmation of my own prejudices. I like to think of G O as the manufacturer people gravitate to if they're more concerned about innate value and quality than tradition and prestige . . . cordially, Art

While I cannot put my finger on any one piece in the collection that I would call a grail watch I can pick one that I feel best defines the brand which would be two different things. That would be the panograph and for the reasons I mentioned already. I wonder if the OP was not really asking about the latter concept rather than the the  former? And yes, I see GO in the same light and appreciate the brand for the same reasons.

. . . and it's possible that the original poster meant the latter. If that's the case, then the Panograph fills the requirement neatly, although I'd be inclined to give the nod to the Panomatic Lunar, which strikes me as the definitive G O design from a purely aesthetic perspective . . . cordially, Art

Hi there,

My name is Tudor and I'm new to this forum....just registred as I was looking for info about the Panograph since I'm a GO fan and camed across the SS model at my dealer and the watch is winking at me  Still I am a little doubtful about taking the plunge for it and so I try to find as much info about this model as I can because I know better the current line of models. After lurking on the forum I think I will grab the watch because my first impressions about the watch were confirmed (that the watch and it's movement are somehow a landmark for GO), but was wondering what would be a fair price to pay? ( don't really know the marketing facts like if it's a discontinued model it would entitle me to a big discount or something? ---also keep in mind that I am from Europe and here it seems that the RRPs are quite higher than in the US...at least after my research on the web). Any inputs would be much appreciated.  

 

thanks

quicklook.watchprosite.com

quicklook.watchprosite.com

. . . 11800 Euros on a strap and 12900 Euros on a bracelet. I have a hard time coming up with any contemporary design that offered as much for the asking price . . . cordially, Art

for the info. The watch in the review is a gold version. The price you quoted is for SS version right?  This is the price I've found about as well. Don't understand why there is such a big dif. among US and EU rrps.

will keep you posted if I take the plunge,

Tudor

. . . the steel version you're considering. Silver dial, or the less common grey? Cordially, Art

...silver dial. If it was the grey I was already with it on my wrist !

 

 

Tudor

. . . cordially, Art

one of those I think I can live with this too.....I can always trade it if the situation needs it

 

 

cheers,

Tudor

.......I'm a weak man...I just hope it was the "holy grail" that made me cave in the sin. This is my first manual winding watch and I think from now on automatic ones will not find their way in my heart anymore. Now, what I would like to know it's how many times one has to turn the crown to wind the watch? (because the line " until you can distinctly feel resistance" is quite vague)

 

cheers,

Tudor, a weak man

. . . unfortunately, I don't have an answer as I've never owned a Panograph . . . perhaps a kind Panograph owner will chime in on my behalf.

...the time is not right to wait for fast replies with all the new year's eve fuss around

BTW, sorry for not posting pics....I don't have my camera on me and I want to do something special (at least by my standards ) for my ''Club Entrance Photo-Fee'' with both my Glasshütte watches I own so far..........I have to wait until I get to the country side, where my camera resides and where I can give some thought and time to a photo shooting session.

 

Cheers,

Tudor 

Hi Tudor

I have missed the question of how many turns to fully wound the panograph. Thanks Art for PM to remind me.

I happen to wear my panograph today, so i did a test, the watch was fully wound  yesterday and when I wound it again this morning it took me 37 turns to fully wind it.

From my calculation, it should take 70 turns to fully wound the panagroph from stop.

Yong

All in all I'm quite impressed by the panograph ...I'm really happy I  grabed it (or him  ) .

 Also I am mesmerised by the date change...had the chance to observe it at the passing from 2009 to 2010. Althought I was at a party, the whole evening I was counting the minutes till I'm going to see for the first time the panoramic date dispaly change -------- i was the joke of my group being more concerned by the watch than the people around me

 

 

Cheers,

Tudor

it is great that you grab it . wear it with good health.

please do not forget to share some pic

Yong

...here they are ....my 2 children ( well 2 of them at least as the other 2 are sleeping in my garage )........sorry to post just one picture, but I didn't want to keep you guys waiting and also took this chance to upload my avatar

 

 

 

 cheers and happy new year from Banat !

Tudor

 

P.S. sorry for not using the forum's image uploader for the main picture but God is my Witness that I've tried over and over again to no avail

. . . and my then-girlfriend was annoyed as the dickens because I was paying more attention to my Karree perpetual than I was to her or the movie we were watching! We are an absorbed bunch, aren't we ;-) . . .