Timepieces from Glashütte have long been valued for their high-quality mechanics, elaborate finishes and timeless elegance. Since the 19th century, precise timekeepers from Glashütte have also been used as reliable instruments for navigation and for determining one’s position on land, at sea and in the air. Numerous historic marine chronometers, observation watches, pilot and diver’s watches made in Glashütte testify to the use of high-precision watches as instrument watches, which found widespread use in highly specific areas. Based on this rich fund of experience and its historic heritage, Glashütte Original presents a fifth collection: the “Spezialist”. The premiere model in this new collection is the diver’s watch SeaQ, which unites history and modernity in exemplary fashion.
The SeaQ by Glashütte Original is available in two versions: as the SeaQ in both a limited and an unlimited version, and as the SeaQ Panorama Date with black or blue dial. The “Spezimatic Type RP TS 200”, developed specifically for sports divers, served as an ideal example and inspiration for the new diver’s watch.
Fifty years ago, high quality and complex functionality were already key features of this Glashütte-made watch. With its limited edition SeaQ 1969, the Saxon manufactory takes up this tradition, citing the historic inscription on the black dial and the number of jewels. On the historic model, “Rubies 26” represents the promise of quality associated at the time with the Calibre 75. “Shockproof” refers to the construction of the diver’s watch, renowned even then for its particularly stable design.
SeaQ
The green hands and the “Old Radium” shade of beige on the Arabic numerals and indexes also derive from the historic models. The SeaQ 1969 is available in a limited edition of 69 pieces, the limited edition number being engraved on the base plate. The latter is horizontally aligned and then fixed in this position by means of a threaded base ring. The engravings on the base plate offer decorative enhancement in the form of the trident maritime symbol, the Glashütte Original Double-G and 20 waves, which symbolize the 20 bar water resistance.
The black dial of the unlimited version of the SeaQ presents Arabic numerals, indexes and hands accentuated with the historic “Old Radium” hue. This version also features an engraved and aligned base plate, which shows, along with the trident with the Double-G and the 20 waves, the continuous case number.
SeaQ Panorama Date
The second model, the SeaQ Panorama Date, is water resistant up to 30 bar, approximately 300 meters, and suitable for even professional divers. This essential water resistance of both models is enhanced by numerous details, such as the screw-down crown, the base plate secured by a ring on the SeaQ model or the centrally screwed sapphire crystal case back on the SeaQ Panorama Date.
The engineers and watchmakers at Glashütte Original set maximum reliability as the central premise in the development of the SeaQ. The DIN and ISO tested diver’s watch meets the most stringent German and international quality standards in terms of water resistance, legibility, shock resistance, resistance to salt water and many other criteria.
As genuine diver’s watches, all versions feature a unidirectional, counter-clockwise rotating bezel with perceptible click, enabling certain determination of the dive time. They also feature a clear minute-detent and a Super-LumiNova coated triangle marking the dive start time. In addition, the ceramic inlay makes the surface of the bezel exceptionally scratch-resistant. The printed / applied hour markers and indexes are highlighted with Super-LumiNova, as are the hour, minute and second hands, for optimal under waters.
The SeaQ 1969 and the SeaQ are both powered by the manufactory’s automatic movement Calibre 39-11 with heavy metal oscillating mass. It beats in a 39 mm stainless steel case and features a running time of 40 hours, a stop-second mechanism and a date display at 3 o’clock.
New Challenge for Calibre 36
The date has special importance in the SeaQ Panorama Date. The characteristic big date, a typical feature of Glashütte Original, gives this slightly larger version its name and is harmoniously positioned at 4 o’clock. The dial – optionally either black or blue with a sunray finish – presents the hands, applied Arabic numerals and indexes in green or white, respectively.
The differences vis-à-vis the SeaQ go well beyond visual details, however. With the SeaQ Panorama Date, the Glashütte watchmakers have adapted the award-winning Calibre 36 to meet the considerable challenges of timekeeping underwater. In the 36-13 version it beats within a 43.2 mm stainless steel case and is optimally configured, as always, with regard to the four principles: precision, stability, running time and aesthetics. The bayonet mounting ensures that the movement is anchored in the case for particularly effective shock-resistance. It features a 100-hour running time while the silicon balance spring enables reliably high rate precision – above or below the sea.
The promise of quality integral to the Calibre 36 is also kept by the SeaQ Panorama Date. It not only meets the stringent DIN and ISO standards for diver’s watches, but must also undergo the same demanding 24-day test. An individual certificate documents each watch’s successful completion of the test.
The SeaQ 1969 comes with two alternative strap versions: one with an embossed rubber strap, the other with a water-resistant nylon mesh strap specially developed for the SeaQ. The SeaQ and SeaQ Panorama Date are offered with three strap versions each: a stable, flat stainless steel bracelet with 8-step fine adjustment mechanism; a robust, water-resistant nylon mesh strap, and a distinctive rubber strap with embossed design all guarantee a secure fit on the wrist.
Prices:
- SeaQ 1969: 8500-8800 euros
- SeaQ: 8500-9700 euros
- SeaQ Date Panorama: 11,000-12,200 euros
