The Low-Down

Today, more than ever, Glashütte Original upholds Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s vision of a strong local industry, driven by homegrown talent.

In the quiet, studious confines of Glashütte, near Dresden in Saxony, Germany, Glashütte Original watchmakers have the time, passion and inspiration to work on watches that have become a byword for originality and individuality.

For 2021, the new PanoMaticLunar comes in its hallmark 40mm round case with intricate off-center hour and minute hands, and a prominent small second display. The oversize Panorama Date display is at 4 o’clock with a moon phase indicator at 1 o’clock.

As is the norm for GO watches, once again what captures the eye straightaway for this year is the lush color of the dial. Starting with an intense dark green (called forest green) in the center, the color gradually changes to black at the edges.

The rich and highly polished rose gold bezel complements this vibrant green and is perfectly echoed with gold moon and stars graphics within the moonphase indicator, gold hour indices and lance shaped hands, with Superluminova inserts also cased in 18k gold.

Turn the watch over and the see-through sapphire crystal case back provides an unimpeded view of the ornately finished and exactingly polished ¾ plate striped manufactory 90-02 automatic movement with its off-center rotor. This is a big date movement with hours, minutes and small seconds, with a 42-hour power reserve.

The rotor features a double G logo with a 21-carat gold oscillation weight, a Duplex-swan-neck fine adjustment, screw balance with 18 weighted screws, blued screws, bevelled edges and highly hand polished steel parts even for the areas you will never see. It’s as much a work of art as a masterpiece of time telling.

The watch comes on a glossy alligator leather strap in the same lush forest green as the dial. It’s closed by a fold fastener or a pin buckle, both in 18k red gold.

IMHO

The PanomaticLunar is Glashütte Original’s bestselling watch and perhaps the most representative of the brand’s ethos. It has the off-center dial with whimsical moonphase and prominent date display. The stunning in-house dial is equally matched by splendid calibre 90-02 movement with double swan-neck adjustment, gold rotor, and fine decoration. The combination of red gold case with forest green dial makes a head turner.

If you really want to blow your Glashütte budget you could decide to go just a short way down the road to the A. Lange & Söhne manufactory, but rest assured, Glashütte Original offers close to the same levels of German obsessive care and attention to detail for lot less. Each watch is a collector’s piece designed to be enjoyed and then passed down.

Tech Specs

Movement: Automatic movement, in-house calibre 90-02, double swan-neck adjustment, 21k gold rotor
Case: 40mm x 12.7mm, red gold
Functions: Off-center hour and minute, off-center small second, hacking seconds, Panorama Date, moon phase
Dial: Varnished green & black with dégradé effect, applied markers
Strap: Louisiana alligator with red gold clasp
Price: US$18,700 with clasp, US$20,500 with deployant clasp