Technical Perspective: Going Beyond Chronometer Standards With Glashtte Original's Senator Excellence

August 16, 2016

Earlier this year, Glashtte Original introduced its new Senator Excellence watch and Caliber 36 movement. HODINKEEs European Editor, Arthur Touchot, wore the watch for the first 100 hours of Baselworld and reported on its increased autonomy, silicon hairspring, and innovative movement fastening system. There is one other new feature that Arthur didnt get a chance to take a look at C Glashtte Original is including a quality promise for the Caliber 36, with standards exceeding COSC chronometer certification. The new Caliber 36 movement from Glashtte Original is tested beyond COSC standards. "Chronometer" historically, referred to a particularly accurate watch or clock C often, one which used a detent escapement. Today, the term "chronometer" is defined by ISO 3159, which forms the basis of the standards used by??Switzerlands Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronomtres (COSC). COSC certifies chronometers for Rolex, Breitling, and Panerai to name just a few brands. While COSC is certainly a prominent testing agency, there are others too. The Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) in Switzerland has recently begun testing watches, with Omega moving its chronometer testing there from COSC. In Germany, Wempe tests and certifies chronometers at the Glashtte Observatory, under DIN 8319, which uses the same criteria as those found in ISO 3159. Setting aside accuracy, the Senator Excellence is a flat-out attractive watch that wears very well. Even with the existing testing agencies available to certify their watches, there is a trend of brands making their own seals, promises, or guarantees instead. Some argue that these results cannot be relied on as much as those coming from neutral testing agency C and I agree. Possibly with that in mind, Glashtte Original chose to make its quality promise standards exceed what COSC specifies. Additionally, the Senator Excellence is not marketed as a chronometer, even though it certainly could be based on its performance standards (though again, to use the term "chronometer" for a German-made watch would require testing by an external agency). Looking at Glashtte Originals quality promise, I can see that it notably exceeds COSCs chronometer standards in two categories: positions tested and average daily rate. Adjusting the rate is done via balance screws. (Photo Courtesy Glashtte Original) Positions tested COSC: 5 Glashtte Original: 6 Average daily rate COSC: -4 / +6 seconds over ten days Glashtte Original: -4 / +6 seconds over twelve days Mean variation in rates COSC: 2 seconds per day Glashtte Original: 2 seconds per day Greatest variation in rates COSC: 5 seconds Glashtte Original: 5 seconds Difference between rates in horizontal and vertical positions COSC: -6 / +8 seconds Glashtte Original: -6 / +8 seconds Largest variation in rates COSC: 10 seconds Glashtte Original: 10 seconds The Senator Excellence is the first watch to house the new Caliber 36 movement. This is an impressive testing regime for any watch, and I was interested to test the watch first hand to see what the results would be. While I did not test the rate over twelve days (as Glashtte Original did) the results I saw in one afternoon testing with Witschi and Vibrograf timing machines were remarkable. The results matched almost exactly what Glashtte Original specified in the rate card supplied with the watch. The Senator Excellence is an extraordinarily accurate mechanical watch, representing a significant upgrade to the brands popular Senator line. The Glashtte Original Senator Excellence in stainless steel with silver dial is available now with a retail price of $9,700. For more information, visit Glashtte Original. The Caliber 36's regulator with the fine adjustment screw. A closer look at the bridge engravings on the Caliber 36.