The New Glashtte Original SeaQ Chronograph

September 30, 2022

Glashtte Original (GO) started a new sport-watch platform a few years ago with the launch of the SeaQ series, part of the new Spezialist collection. The Spezialist family promised to take inspiration from Glashtte Original's history (the company's historical predecessor is the GUB, the government-owned East German watch conglomerate), drawing on sporty vintage designs from the 1960s and '70s. The first SeaQ models were fairly traditional in execution, offering up accessible functionality in the form of a traditional three-handed dive watch and a more exclusive, expensive model that added in Glashtte Original's signature PanoramaDatum functionality. But this week's update complicates things: the new SeaQ Chronograph is a hybrid diver's chronograph, featuring 300 meters water resistance and flyback chronograph functionality (not to mention the PanoramaDatum) via the in-house, self-winding caliber 37-23. The movement is a variant of GO's caliber 37 chronograph movement that debuted in 2014 and can be found in watches like the Senator Chronograph and Sixties Chronograph, but it's been updated in a few notable ways to benefit the SeaQ Chronograph's sporty remit. The biggest thing is shock resistance C the dial of the new release features a hexagonal socket screw over the hand shafts and underneath the central pinion that protects the dial from warping under impact, whether underwater or on solid ground. The SeaQ Chronograph has a 43.2mm stainless steel case with an exhibition caseback and pump pushers at two and four o'clock. Pricing starts at $13,900 and the watch is available at launch with a brilliant blue dial featuring two sub-dials at three and nine o'clock, the large double date aperture at six o'clock, and with your choice of a black rubber strap, grey fabric strap, blue fabric strap, or three-link stainless steel bracelet. What We Think Glashtte Original has nearly the entire modern history of Saxon watchmaking at its disposal, which is why I find the idea behind the Spezialist collection so compelling. I thought the initial SeaQ models were a super strong start to the family when they debuted in 2019. We hadn't seen a legitimate sport watch from Glashtte Original since the Sport-Evolution collection died a quiet death in the early 2010s C so the SeaQ family was a welcome sight. The SeaQ Chronograph is a natural evolution of those original releases. It's a super solid creation featuring an in-house German-made movement from Glashtte Original's Saxon facilities. The caliber 37-23 has a pretty impressive spec C it's a fully integrated chronograph movement with large date and flyback functionality, 70 hours of power reserve, a silicon hairspring, and a beat rate of 4 Hz. The SeaQ Chronograph has also been certified by Glashtte Original to the ISO 6425 and DIN 8306 standards of sport and dive watch functionality. There's a lot to like about the SeaQ Chronograph, and it's a great next step for the SeaQ and Spezialist collections. But I'm greedy C I'm already thinking about how interesting it would be for Glashtte Original to bring back a pilot's watch. Or maybe a chronograph inspired by German car culture C how cool would that be? The Basics Brand: Glashtte OriginalModel: SeaQ ChronographReference Number: 1-37-23-02-81-33 (rubber strap); 1-37-23-02-81-34 (grey fabric strap); 1-37-23-02-81-36 (blue fabric strap); 1-37-23-02-81-70 (steel bracelet)Diameter: 43.2mmCase Material: Stainless steelDial Color: BlueIndexes: AppliedLume: Yes, Super-LumiNovaWater Resistance: 300 metersStrap/Bracelet: Rubber strap, fabric strap, or stainless steel bracelet The Movement Caliber: GO caliber 37-23Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, flyback chronographPower Reserve: 70 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 28,800 vph / 4 HzChronometer Certified: N/AAdditional Details: DIN 8306 and ISO 6425 standard; silicon hairspring Pricing & Availability Price: $13,900 on rubber or fabric strap; $14,800 on steel braceletAvailability: October 2022Limited Edition: N/A Shop this story The HODINKEE Shop is an Authorized Retailer of Glashtte Original watches; explore our collection here.?You can learn more about Glashtte Original online.