Glashütte Original

German watchmaking is a highly complicated craft – and so is our vocabulary. In the Glashütte Original #Ticktionary we teach you the language of the artisans at our manufactory. This month’s lesson: the „Härteprüfung“. In our in-house hardening shop, the metal components we manufacture for our movements undergo thermal treatment to achieve optimum mechanical properties. A screw is the perfect example of why the right hardness is crucial: if it is too soft, it may deform or tear during assembly; too hard, and it might become brittle, making it prone to breaking when exposed to shocks or vibrations. We therefore perform a hardness test on a sample from each batch of screws. This is done using a so-called micro hardness tester, which presses a pyramid-shaped diamond into the screw head with a predefined force. The device then measures the two diagonals of the resulting imprint. By calculating the mean value of these diagonals in relation to the applied force, the device precisely determines the metal’s hardness. Micro hardness testers, such as those used by Glashütte Original, are rarely found in other areas of mechanical engineering, where much stronger forces typically come into play. However, within the microcosm of a watch movement, one gram is as significant as a tonne in the industrial world. This is why we perform the same test, as illustrated here by a screw, on virtually every component of our movements. Come back in four weeks for your next lesson in basic German for watchmakers. ➡️ Come back next year for your follow-up lesson in basic German for watchmakers.

All our watches are beautiful to look at. But there is also a lot to discover beneath their elegant surface. Today we would like to take a closer look at one of these masterpieces with you using a watchmaker's magnifying glass – so to speak. The Flying Tourbillon has a long tradition: it goes back to the master watchmaker Alfred Helwig, who developed this graceful version of the classic ‘whirlwind’ in Glashütte in 1920. The Senator Tourbillon is a tribute to this ingenious construction, which is presented in a simple and modern way with a slim bezel and clear design. The typical Panorama Date, which is located below 12 o'clock, forms a harmonious counterpoint to the tourbillon at 6 o'clock. Mounted on the rotating tourbillon carriage is a tiny hand made of blued steel, which indicates the passing seconds. Incidentally, the Flying Tourbillon is firmly anchored - even if its name might suggest otherwise: Unlike the classic tourbillon, this elegant construction manages with just one bearing, which gives its carriage a special lightness and the impression of weightlessness. In the open frame, the balance and escapement rotate constantly around their own axis, at exactly 360° per minute. The tourbillon reliably compensates for the negative effects of gravity on the rate accuracy - which was an important factor in the pocket watches of the past, as they were usually worn in the same position. For today's wristwatches, this bonus therefore plays a subordinate role. Why do we still celebrate the Flying Tourbillon time and time again? Because the small rotating carriage and its pulsating inner workings are a fascinating sight whose hypnotic appeal is absolutely timeless - then as now.

A Glashütte Original is so much more than the sum of its parts! Every four weeks, we invite you to #ManufactorySunday and highlight different facets of our watchmaking art. Today, on 23 November, International 𝗙𝗶𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we are focusing on the Golden Ratio and its significance for our dial design. The Fibonacci numbers and the golden ratio are closely related, even if the similarities are not immediately obvious. In the Fibonacci sequence, each number is the sum of its two predecessors. The ratio between successive numbers increasingly approaches 1.61803 – the number, also known as Phi, which describes the division ratio of the golden ratio. These “divine” proportions are perceived by the human eye as particularly harmonious. They occur in nature, but have also been used by artists and architects since ancient times – and, for several years now, by Glashütte designers. In our new PanoLunarTourbillon, for example, the slightly asymmetrically arranged displays on the dial are aligned according to the principle of the golden ratio, giving them a particularly balanced appearance. The number Phi is the secret of the golden ratio, just like the Fibonacci sequence, whose day is now celebrated for good reason: the American format (month/date) represents the first four numbers in the famous sequence: 1 – 1 – 2 – 3.

There may be people for whom a wristwatch serves solely to tell the time. However, none of them work at Glashütte Original. Because we know from our own experience how many emotions our timepieces evoke and how much love and care is devoted to each individual component. Link to the full movie in the comments.

All our watches are beautiful to look at. But there is also a lot to discover beneath their elegant surface. Today we would like to take a closer look at one of these masterpieces with you using a watchmaker's magnifying glass – so to speak. A skeletonised watch is a fascinating sight, with a lightness and transparency that never cease to amaze. However, its production requires a great deal of skill: a complex process involves carefully removing as many parts of the movement as possible without compromising the functionality and stability of the watch. The tradition of skeletonised watches in Glashütte dates back to the 19th century. With extensive skeletonisation, the local watchmakers demonstrated their mechanical craftsmanship and at the same time provided a clear view of the elaborately decorated and finished movement parts inside the watch. In this way, they created filigree works of art that gave timekeeping a new aesthetic dimension. Our 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 emulates these historic watches. With maximum transparency, it opens the eye to new perspectives and openly showcases its mechanical inner workings – our manufacture calibre 49-13 with manual winding: a filigree gem that includes the three classic complications power reserve indicator, small seconds and moon phase. Our skeletonised edition thus presents itself as an artistic declaration of love to the grace and beauty of handcrafted mechanics.

Each of our watches has its own story. An idea that inspired us to create it. A tradition that we wanted to revive. Or an almost impossible challenge that was successfully overcome. With #AspectsOfTime, we want to shed light on one of these hidden aspects once a month - today: 'Flyback Tourbillon'. The tourbillon is considered one of the greatest challenges in the high art of watchmaking. In the heritage of Glashütte Original, it holds a special place. In 1920, Alfred Helwig, a teacher at the renowned German Watchmaking School Glashütte, succeeded in freeing the tourbillon from the upper part of its cage for the first time. Together with his students he created the world’s first Flying Tourbillon. With the Senator Chronometer Tourbillon, our engineers and watchmakers have gone one step further. By tackling multiple technical challenges in one stroke, they have brought the tourbillon to its next evolutionary stage. As the first of its kind, Glashütte Original’s Flyback Tourbillon features a reset-to-zero mechanism coupled with a minute detent. But how does this sophisticated mechanism work? When the crown is pulled out, a vertical clutch halts the balance and locks the tourbillon cage in its position. By pulling the crown to the next position and holding in there, the cage swings upwards in a smooth turn until the second hand mounted on top reaches the zero marker. At the same time, the minute hand jumps to the next index, allowing the time to be set with extreme precision. Two patents protect this unique design and underline our manufactory's clear commitment to innovation. Discover the Senator Chronometer Tourbillon – a masterpiece of haute horlogerie.

Of genuine originals and mechanical masterpieces: the Senator Chronometer Tourbillon All our watches are beautiful to look at. But there is also a lot to discover beneath their elegant surface. Today we would like to take a closer look at one of these masterpieces with you using a watchmaker's magnifying glass – so to speak. The tourbillon is considered one of the most elaborate complications that the art of watchmaking has to offer. The chronometer certificate, in turn, only recognises the most precise watches of their generation. Our Senator Chronometer Tourbillon has both qualities - and also boasts a world first: for the first time, this watch combines a so-called Flyback Tourbillon with a stop seconds, zero setting and minute detent. The following happens inside the watch: As soon as the crown is pulled, a vertical clutch stops the balance and locks the tourbillon cage in place. When the crown is pulled to the next position and held, the cage swings upwards until the second hand at its tip stops at zero. This allows the time to be set with particular precision. The hand-decorated and regulated manual winding calibre that drives this limited-edition wristwatch is one of the latest developments from our workshops and has been protected by two patents – a true original.

The art of porcelain was perfected in China over a thousand years ago. As a tribute to this great tradition, a model was created for the 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻 Edition in which the "Mystic Maison" decoration from MEISSEN est.1710 stands out against a celadon green background. This colour goes back to the ceramics of the same name, which were produced in Asia from the 9th century onwards. Then as now, high temperatures were involved: each dial is first fired at 1,400 °C before the respective motif, lettering and Roman numerals are painted on in several layers. And each of these layers is in turn fired at 900 °C in a kiln to achieve the exact colour depth required. In this way, colour and form become a gem for all time - available in a limited edition of 150 pieces.

German watchmaking is a highly complicated craft – and so is our vocabulary. In the Glashütte Original #Ticktionary we teach you the language of the artisans at our manufactory. This month’s lesson: the „Rotorlagerprüfung“. Although tiny in absolute terms, the ball bearing that connects the rotor of a self-winding watch to the movement is by far the largest of its kind we work with. Measuring just fractions of a millimetre, each ball is manually inserted into the bearing before it is secured using a hand press. Applying the precise amount of force requires considerable experience and is absolutely critical: too much clearance may cause the rotor to collide with the movement; too little may hinder the winding process. Each assembled rotor bearing is therefore tested for its flawless functionality by an experienced employee. Even today, human perception remains the most reliable method for determining whether a rotor bearing has the optimal amount of free play. ➡️ Come back in four weeks for your next lesson in basic German for watchmakers.

A watch from Glashütte Original is always something special. But what if you could design, refine and assemble your own timepiece here? Such a masterpiece would undoubtedly be in a class of its own. The talented graduates of Glashütte Original‘s watchmaking school can tell you all about it: the unforgettable moment when they held their very own, self-made watch in their hands. The crowning glory of their professional training. The ultimate original. Link to the full movie in the comments.