Glashutte Original CEO Dr. Frank Muller on the new Senator Sixties. (Also the 2007 Lady Serenade & Senator Karee).

[Jaw]

The Glashutte Original range of Senator and Pano products are likely to receive fresh facelifts this year at the Basel Fair, perhaps to include an impressive, additional, classic complication to the range.


The GO Sixties.

In addition to the Pano XL range, the Senator karee Line, Lady Serenade and the Sixties details have been authorised for early media release from the third week of March onwards.

While both the Senator Karee and the Lady Serenade are likely to be well received by Glashutte Original fans, the revival of the old Glashutte watch in the 60's is particularly interesting.


The original inspiration of the Senator Sixties.

Both in terms of its simplicity and its elegance, the Senator Sixties inspired by the original Glashutte (GUB) watch from the 60's seems surprisingly contemporary and attractive.

We spoke to Glashutte Original CEO, Dr. Frank Muller for his views on the Sixties.


Glashutte Original CEO Dr. Frank Muller, some years ago, in real person, he looks much better, I chose this photograph as this was shot just after he has walked and ran up Mount Zurich, Those of us who walked slowly were panting breathlessly while he was still quite relaxed - Amazing fitness!

Who manufactured the Sixties Dial? Is it a new supplier and is the cost of this domed dial more expensive to produce?

The name is Deutsche Zifferblatt Manufaktur (DZM) – German Dial Manufakturer. The company has already been working for us since the sixties and has in recent years fabricated Senator and Pano dials for Glashütte Original. The Senator Sixties dials are tricky, and still by far the most complicated and expensive dials are the ones from the Pano edition.


The Original Dial of the Old Glashutte (GUB) dial


[i]As compared with the 2007 Senator Sixties dial.[/I]


Senator theme is said to be strictly historical and classic in implementation. The Sixties is obviously inspired by your archive and yet appears to be contemporary, is it because good designs are everlasting?

Very interesting question: Indeed, a good design is in a way eternal. Thus, the “old” continues to look young. However, vintage watches do carry patina: a bit of scratches here or bit of dirt there. Therefore, a retro watch like the Senator Sixties appears to be young in design, but is also clean and neat in the pure sense of the word. The watch appears to be “fresh”.

Additionally, I suppose, there is a psychological effect: Being reminded of our former and young times through an artefact like a watch, we tend to rejuvenate the artefact itself.



The Sixties is clearly inspired by GUB archives and yet there is a feeling of being very different from other Senator and GO models...

The Senator line principally is Glashütte Original’s collection that comprises classical, traditional, and historical watches as its best. This means a Senator can simply be a timeless elegant man’s watch like the Senator Perpetual Calendar. It can be very historical time piece like the Senator Navigator – GO’s pilot watch. And it can be something quite traditional such as the Senator 60ies.

It may seem that we cover a wide range of different concepts within just one line. However there are three important aspects that ensure homogeneity nevertheless:

One: - A Senator 60ies or Navigator are strongly inspired by our own history. We find the ideas for such wonderful time pieces in enjoying and analysing the collections of the GO antique watches in our own museum. Therefore a Senator 60ies is a highly authentic time piece. And as we have produced watches like the 60ies already many years ago it is a German watch or at least a watch within the German tradition. Or to put it differently: Glashütte Original’s watches indicate how time modifies us and the objects in our lives in inviting the audience to compare of what we have created in the past and today.

Two: - In studying the design of the Senator line, you will find many small details that are common to all models. The lugs, the bezel or the shape of the crown follow a general design pattern.

Three: -All our watches carry our own movements that are envisioned, conceived, produced, manufactured, and finished internally.

But indeed, I believe, to some extend there is point in your question: One of the very attractive aspects about GO is that the watch designers and makers try to be innovative, creative, surprising within a particular frame to the benefit of the global enthusiast around the world. Glashütte Original is probably one of the most daring manufacturers to offer this kind of variety – and our experience is that this is exactly what our friends love us for. Glashütte Original wants to be anything else than boring, repeating the same look again and again. Live is colourful, and we are imaginative people.



Your Senator Sixties motto “Like the Sixties, but better”? what is better?

One: - In terms of finishing the calibre 39 offers a very nicely finished and more complex movement compared to the one of the real Sixties: anglesite-finished edges, winding wheel with double sonar finish, three-quarter plate, skeletonised rotor with stripe finish etc.

Two: - The crystal is not mineral glass but sapphire.

Three: - The 60ies is 3 ATM water resistant.

Four: - The strap is alligator instead of calf leather.

What is the price positioning of the Sixties, is this one off piece from the Senator line or could the product range be expanded in the future?

It will be at the entry price level of Glashütte Original’s collection and yes we have some ideas for the future.



MORE, Press Releases of the 2007 Lady Serenade & Senator Karee:

Lady Serenade
Lifestyle and Feminine Elegance




A new generation of classic women’s watches celebrates its premiere this year at Glashütte Original. During the process of creating these timepieces, the designers had the goal of capturing women’s sensibilities and thus getting close to their emotional world in mind. For this reason, the new Lady Serenade has a relatively feminine appearance. The model variations of these new timepieces are an expression of female elegance that matches any wardrobe choice: From sporty casual and formal business style to stylish evening wear.

The Lady Serenade is offered in two different case materials: Rose gold and stainless steel. The customer can choose between a silver-colored and a chocolate brown dial with gold Roman numerals on the luxurious rose gold version. The stainless steel variation is framed by a diamond-set bezel.



Three different versions are available in stainless steel. The first model is outfitted with a white painted dial and Arabic numerals as well as a white Louisiana crocodile skin strap. A silver-colored dial with silver Roman numerals and a sand-colored crocodile skin strap grace the second version. The expressive design of the third steel Lady Serenade is characterized by a silver-colored dial with an iridescent floral pattern that continues on the pink satin strap, all of which is framed by a diamond-set bezel.

The Lady Serenade line is a completely new design development: Once again, the designers and movement designers of the German luxury manufactory have proved their know-how successfully, creating a classic timekeeper with a gracefully feminine case. The most stylish feature of these watches is their curved line, running across the case band in soft arcs. The crown is consciously playful and embellished with a sapphire cabochon or a brilliant-cut diamond, depending on the model. The large, attractively designed dial keeps the view clear, including an important element for women in business: The date at the 6 o’clock position.



Manufacture Caliber 39-22 with a power reserve of 40 hours guarantees precise timekeeping inside the new Lady Serenade line. Glashütte Original’s horological competence is once again revealed in all the characteristics of traditional Glashütte watchmaking found here such as a skeletonized rotor with a 21-karat gold oscillating weight, a swan-neck fine adjustment, a three-quarter plate, Glashütte ribbing, and a double sunburst decoration.

Glashütte Original represents a living, authentic manufactory, high exclusivity, traditional watchmaking since 1845, exclusive mechanical masterpieces, and “handmade in Germany.”



Two Additions to the Senator Karree Line
New Manually Wound Caliber 22 and Another Automatic Model



A strikingly clean shape and sober elegance are the characterizing features of the Senator Karree line. Since this year, a newly developed manually wound movement by Glashütte Original has powered the tonneau-shaped timekeeper: manufacture Caliber 22.



Characteristic for the new manually wound movement is the arrangement of Glashütte Original’s panorama date – found for the first time at the 6 o’clock position. Even the hour display has been outfitted with something special: Instead of applied baton markers, like on the previously released automatic version, applied Roman numerals mark the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. Thus, only a glance at the dial is necessary for the observant wearer to recognize whether this is a Senator Karree that is outfitted with a manually wound or an automatic caliber. The new Senator Karree Panoramadate Manual Winding is available in a solid rose gold case or in a stainless steel version, each with hand-sewn Louisiana crocodile skin straps.

The highlight of any mechanical watch by Glashütte Original is the excellently finished manufacture movement that is visible through the sapphire crystal case back, exciting to any watch connoisseur. Manually wound Caliber 22, a brand-new development, follows the Saxon manufactory’s tradition of highly developed, precise manufacture calibers. Like the other movements, this shaped movement is an horological masterpiece outfitted with the traditional elements of Glashütte watchmaking. Alongside the characteristic Glashütte three-quarter plate, the connoisseur will easily recognize a screw balance with 18 gold weighted screws, a swan-neck fine adjustment, screw-mounted gold chatons, blued screws, beveled edges, polished steel parts, and a double sunburst decoration on the winding wheels.



For connoisseurs of timekeepers with automatic winding, the designers at Glashütte Original have added another model to the Senator Karree line: the Senator Karree Panorama Date and Moon Phase. This new addition to the line is powered by tried-and-tested manufacture Caliber 39-41, whose elegance can be observed through the concavely shaped transparent case back.


Glashütte Original represents a living, authentic manufactory, high exclusivity, traditional watchmaking since 1845, exclusive mechanical masterpieces, and “Handmade in Germany.”


Jaw

[foversta]

Thanks Jaw for the news and to Frank Muller for his answers.

[MarkS]

Normally I am rather against re-editions. But that Senator Sixties really makes it. Simple, clear and well balanced. Compliments to Germany, cheers, Mark

[Jaw]

My favourite Glashutte original so far.

Jaw

[teckmeng]

cheers
teckmeng

[KokChoon]

Hi Teck Meng,

You better act fast and rush to your nearest AD to place your order for I believe this wonderful re-edition of the 60s would be a hit!

Personally, I love it! I used to collect vintage solid gold watches and remember seeing this old vintage watch once but never get to acquire it Perhaps its a good chance now.....

Will try it on in Basel for a feel of it and to take a wrist-shot for you my friend.

Cheers
KokChoon

[Clublon]

Thanks for the report. I like that the 60's is at the entry level price of Glashutte Originals.

[Duncan]

The Sixties is poised to be a very big success for Glashütte Original this year.

Duncan

[teckmeng]

cheers
teckmeng

[watchculture]

GO is on the right track with the 60s. It's going to be a hit. Jaw, I believe the original does not have display back, no? Will this re-edition comes with a display back? I hope it does, to showcase GO's fine workmanship and finishing.
Any idea on the size?

[damien]

Beautiful watch. So glad they didnt put a date on it. Hope the case is <40mm in diameter. Is it a solid or display back?

[Jaw]

The Glashutte Original Sixties will have a diameter of 39,2 mm and a interesting display back:

The extra-flat case allows the domed shape of the dial and sapphire crystal a flexible expression, and the shaped sapphire crystal case back of the Senator Sixties model will be a premiere at Glashütte Original.

It does not only allows a direct view into automatic manufacture Caliber 39-52 with its characteristic elements of Glashütte watchmaking such as a three-quarter plate, swan-neck fine adjustment, Glashütte ribbing, and double sunburst decoration, but also for the first time makes a side view of the rotating oscillating weight crafted in 21-karat gold possible.

The surprising new caseback will be revealed at BASELWORLD 2007.

Just a note that the historical models had no display back.

Jaw

[damien]

thanks jaw. having resisted the panograph all this time, i'm not sure if the will is strong enough for the sixties from the looks of it and the specs.

[Jaw]

Like I say, my favourite Glashutte Original watch so far, and at the entry level of the brand.

Jaw

[vlim]

The new 60's looks like a winner to me. Like Damien, I'm glad GO did not put a date display on this one. Looking forward to some photos of this watch from the Basel soon. Thanks!

Cheers,
Vernon

[psee]

Still love the Senator Sixties so many months after its launch ... Guess I should really try to get one soon ...

[Wimster]

Hi Psee,

try the Sixties and don't forget the Chrono! Also a stunning piece. We would love to see some pics of the try out

cheers, Wim

[Monochrome]

i just keep coming back to this post to look at the pictures of the Senator Sixties...