Introducing: The Glashtte Original Senator Chronometer Tourbillon Limited Edition (Live Pics & Pricing)

May 29, 2019

The Glashtte Original Senator Chronometer Tourbillon is quite an interesting take on the flying tourbillon, which is a tourbillon mechanism that is anchored on only one side. The absence of an upper bridge on a flying tourbillon doesn't just provide an unobstructed view of the mechanism; it also causes it to look as though it floats, or flies C hence the name. This mechanism, which may or may not have been invented in Glashtte, Germany, has become strongly associated with German watchmaking in general, and with the watches of Glashtte Original in particular. Glashtte Original's innovative take on this movement, for which it has applied for two patents, is marked by the implementation of a novel stop-seconds mechanism combined with a reset-to-zero ability. With the Senator Chronometer Tourbillon Limited Edition, pulling the crown out one click stops the tourbillon cage from rotating. Since the indication of the seconds is mounted on the one-minute tourbillon, this stops the seconds as well. Pulling the crown out to the next position and holding it there, causes the tourbillon cage to advance clockwise C fluidly, through the mediation of a governor C to zero, and the minutes hand to advance to the next minute index. Glashtte Original calls this feature C which allows the wearer to set the time precisely to the exact time C a "second stop and reset function with minute detent." This feature is also present in less complicated models from the Senator Chronometer range, though doing so with a flying tourbillon is quite a bit more complex, and led to an application for two patents. The caliber 58-05 movement is meticulously finished on its front and back with what Glashtte Original calls Glashtte stripes (they're done in Glashtte after all) in a manner typical of high-end watches from both Germany and Switzerland. And the elaborate engraving on its front is executed by hand. This type of decoration is also endemic to the German hamlet of Glashtte, though it is more typically reserved for a small portion of the movement, most often the balance cock. Here, the engraver has a large canvas to show their skill. If you look at the seconds chapter ring surrounding the tourbillon, you can see that it is a piece of screwed down sapphire glass. Initial Thoughts This is quite a watch to behold. The finishing is quite nice, and the decoration on the dial side, while certainly ornate, is an impressive demonstration of the engraver's skill in the Glashtte style.? There is quite a visual disparity between the austere German design of the movement as seen from the back and the wildly creative engraving that surrounds the tourbillon escapement on the front. There is a well-known precedent for baroque watch movement decoration from Glashtte and its nearest big city, Dresden, a city known for its many architectural flourishes. But typically, more elaborate engraving of this kind is restricted to the back of the watch. A flying tourbillon does not have a visible balance cock, after all, and it feels as is Glashutte Original is making up for this by surrounding it with lavish ornateness. The ability set the flying tourbillon so precisely is a useful feature given that the watch itself is a chronometer, a relative rarity for tourbillons. This in itself may come as something as a surprise given that the tourbillon was initially invented in the service of accuracy. Now, of course, such mechanisms are made chiefly as expressions of the watchmaker's skill, and for their sheer wow-factor on the wrist. The Glashtte Original Senator Chronometer Tourbillon Limited Edition's chronometer certification comes not from Switzerland's COSC, but from the German Calibration Service in Glashtte.? The Basics Brand: Glashtte OriginalModel: Senator Chronometer Tourbillon Limited EditionReference Number: 1-58-05-01-03-30Diameter: 42mmThickness: 12mmCase Material: Polished and satin-brushed platinumDial Color: Openworked with blue dial for time displayIndexes: AppliedLume: NoWater Resistance: 5 barStrap/Bracelet: Dark blue Louisiana alligator strap with platinum buckle The Movement Caliber: Caliber 58-05Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds (on tourbillon), power reserve indicatorPower Reserve: 70 hoursWinding: Manually woundFrequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)Chronometer Certified: Each watch is certified as a chronometer in accordance with the DIN 8319 standard by the German Calibration Service in Glashu?tte.? Pricing & Availability Price: 150,000Limited Edition: 25 piecesFor more, visit Glashtte Original online.