What appears to be a “panda” diver’s chronograph watch actually has some impressive surprises to share… Just as we love Glashütte Original.
Glashütte Original is right in saying that “Sometimes you have to take something away to complete a masterwork.” We have witnessed the absence of colour establish itself as a deliberate stylistic device in modern film, and the same approach appears to work wonders with modern watchmaking art, too. The new Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph Silver Screen watch comes in a reduced black and white design execution, with a twist from, you guessed it, the silver screen.
The high-end watchmaker from Saxony ranks among those few — not just in Germany, but in the world — to own and operate its own dial manufacture and thus possess the ability to play around with new concepts and techniques with unrivaled efficiency. Sure, suppliers can at times achieve amazing results, but they are pulled in many different directions, making their prototyping abilities and willingness incomparably worse to those of a proprietary facility.
The latest fruit of this privileged situation for Glashütte Original is a very special dial that makes use of the same optical effect that cinema screens once achieved by means of a thin coat of silver paint: The surface reduces the dispersion of light to a minimum and enables greater contrast than a white background.
Make no mistake, it is not all just for show — it is still a proper SeaQ through and through. This Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph is a true dive watch that complies with the ISO 6425 and DIN 8306 standards and is rated water-resistant to 300 meters. Actually, 300 meters plus the 25% safety margin mandated by these standards for utmost safety and peace of mind.
Despite its certifiably robust construction we still get a sapphire crystal case back to reveal the watchmaker’s very own Calibre 37-23 — an in-house flyback chronograph sporting a large date indication, skeletonized rotor, mirror-polished steel parts, bevelled and polished edges, individually heat-blued screws, and an extensive 70-hour power reserve paired with a modern 4Hz operating frequency. An horological masterwork, no less, safeguarded by a go-anywhere exterior in steel and ceramic measuring 43.20mm in diameter and 16.95mm in height.
If you are after something more compact, the Spezialist collection that encapsulates the SeaQ line offers you a variety of three-hand SeaQ models at 39.50mm wide. As of late, Glashütte Original has also doubled down on its strap and bracelet selection, making virtually all their references available on a wide range of straps — in woven synthetic, rubber, or leather — and most all of them also come on the brand’s suitably robust three-link steel bracelet with a neatly disguised micro-adjust clasp. Visit the Glashütte Original website to find out more.
