Glashütte Original

Good morning all,

I'm new to this board but have been into watches for many years now (with a very modest collection).  I've learned a lot about the two brands I hope to add to the collection within the next couple years...Glashutte Original and A. Lange & Sohn, from this forum while visiting as a guest.

I'd love to add the GO soon if funds allow and have always loved the looks of the Senator Aviator with and without date, especially with the display caseback that some have had installed.  I've also taken to the newer Sport Evolution Impact watches from GO, but can't find many posts/threads online of owners who have much to say about them.  I've never seen an Aviator in person, but was lucky to find a Sport Evolution Impact Chrono locally.

Is there any particular reason the Evo Impact isn't very popular?  Am I in the minority in thinking the watch is beautiful and should be a durable daily wear?  It appears many like the Senator Aviator and it's appealing that if I wished to sell, I could find a buyer more easily compared to the Evo Impact (this is strickly an assumption).  The Evo Impact has been sitting on my dealer's display for over 8 months now.  I would think an Aviator would move much quicker than that, but correct me if I'm wrong.

So, I realize we all have our opinions and was hoping that the members here would provide some and help me decide which one is the way to go and why.  I truely like them both equally and simply can't make up my mind.  As you know, they are COMPLETELY different designs and I guess I'm comparing apples to oranges, but I've been known for doing that in the past!

Anways, thanks in advance and hope everyone has a great day!

The Sport Evo Impact is a great watch.....

it could be described as an extremely durable watch due to its unique case construction.....

I used to own one.... but it is now gone to make room for something else....

it is quite large, if it fits you well, then you could consider it...... try it on several times

hers is a wristshot.....

cheers

Thanks for the photo and response!  I've tried on the Evo Impact a couple times and still love it.  It definitely has wrist presence.

From your knowledge, is the watch selling well?  Do you have any experience with the Navigator?  Any opinions?  Do you have a preference between these two models?

very different watches....

In my opinion they are not comparable......

The navigator sells better than the Impact but it is not a fair comparison as the latter is a very
specific watch for a small market.....

If it would fit my wrist I would have kept it...

good luck in making your choice....

cheers

that its dial is 'too weird' and 'too loud' for the generally conservative GO crowd. I am a huge fan of GO watches, but generally, GO makes sober watches, and even their more complicated/'out there' designs are still rooted in sobriety, at least I think so. Whereas this model is VERY bright/ busy... and maybe also the notion of this ultra rugged sportwatch is... a little bit of a 'so what'? Rolex has been taking hits for decades and run fine... Omega... you name it, so maybe folks aren't so impressed by the ruggedness factor? I find the dial hard on the eyes...

I see a lot of validity to what you just said and really appreciate the response.

the dial did not seem to be too loud for me....

however I do think that it is a bit out of the norm GO.....

As for the Rolex comparison... well you do have a good point...

cheers

I don't think we see much mentioned about the Impact because of 1) timing and 2) it's being a more of a niche product in the line. In terms of timing, I think the downturn in the economy was a big factor. I think ADs were conservative over the past year in what they would stock and they probably viewed it as having a limited audience and a lot of competition. On the same note, it's hard to generate interest in a watch that people can't see. In terms of the second item, it's a very big piece (46mm & thick) and at a higher price point which in itself makes for a smaller audience.

and, in support, we have only seen only a couple of live wristshots on this site....

and none of the all black version....

cheers

. . . as Glashütte Original normally caters and appeals to an audience attuned to elegance, minimally expressed. The Sport Evo Impact is an intriguing solution to a genuine problem, and the aesthetics of it's form follow the dictates of the ingenious technical solution. Ultimately, even though the Impact performs as designed, I don't think there's much of a market for relatively costly well finished sports watches that actually perform under pressure. How many Seadweller owners challenge even a fraction of it's depth rating? How many golfers will feel compelled to have a mechanical watch that can survive a round on the links yet not look out of place in the clubhouse? It's very much a niche product. I'll bet that when Seiko or Panerai implement the same solution, their offerings will find widespread acceptance in their respective communities . . . cordially, Art

If GO would have made this model smaller, I think that it would sell better.....

That is the reason I sold mine.... (I can clarify via pm if you would like)



cheers

smaller form factor for both the sport and navigator line would open up some new buyers. These are too big for my taste although I like them otherwise and I suspect I am not alone. Were I at the helm I would put something out there in the 42mm range and see if it had legs. Oh yeah, also an LE version of the chronometer with a black face in platinum. (Sorry couldnt help but plug my dream watch lol)

Thank you for all the input.

I think I'm leaning towards going with the Sport Evo Impact because I think at the end of the day it fits my style a little better.  However, I don't think I'm motivated enough at "new" pricing so a pre-owned example may be better for me (especially in today's economic climate).  So, I guess I'll be patient and check the "Collectors Market" within this forum on occassion and maybe get lucky in finding a gently used piece that needs a new home.

My only other question I think I have at this time relates to customer service and servicing.  I keep reading about the lack of good service from GO's NJ location.  Do the watches indeed go to the Swatch Group for service and if so how often should one send it in and what should I expect to pay?

g

. . . re G O Service in New Jersey. This is a difficult subject because it takes only one bad experience to tar the reputation of an enterprise. I've had two experiences with the New Jersey service operation; one was wholly positive, the other a wash. My Senator power reserve was serviced there in late 2005 for just under $600, and the watch was returned in perfect working order and running far better than when I'd sent it in. It was regulated on the high side out of the box, and running @ +21 sec / day prior to service, which was brought down to +8 sec / day afterwards. I parted with it shortly thereafter, but the buyer was local and I would've heard from him had it not performed as described. The other experience was not entirely positive: my Senator perpetual was sent in shortly after I acquired it as the date didn't transition over properly from April 30th to May 1st, and the response from New Jersey was that they weren't able to replicate the problem, so they sent it back untouched - save for a scratch :-(. Now, I can't say for sure that the mishandling occurred in New Jersey, but the scratch wasn't there when I sent it in ;-).

To the best of my recollection, there haven't been any tales of inadequacy emanating from New Jersey on this forum [note to all: please correct me if I'm wrong]. Not to say, of course, that expectations are always met, but I'm not intimately aware of any egregious instances of inadequate service. I just sent both of my Karree perpetuals to New Jersey for routine service; apparently, they don't service perpetuals there, so both are now in Glashütte. I'm willing to trust the professionals in New Jersey to make decisions with my own irreplaceable watches. Had they decided to perform the work in New Jersey and the results been unsatisfactory, I would have no compunction about reporting bad news.

Btw, thanks to Our Man in Glashütte for the reminder that wallpapers are available on their website . . .

www.glashuette-original.com

. . . under the tab titled 'Inspriration'. This photo of the Sport Evo Impact is from their website.

Cordially, Art