Glashütte Original announces the Senator Chronometer Tourbillon

Glashütte Original, a prestigious German watchmaker, has unveiled a groundbreaking achievement in haute horlogerie with its Flyback Tourbillon. This engineering marvel seemingly battles the laws of physics, halting, rotating gracefully, and returning to its original spot. The meticulously designed Senator Chronometer Tourbillon sets a grand stage for this mechanical masterpiece. With a limited run of only 50 units, this timepiece showcases a laser-etched movement viewable from the front and a beautifully designed dial featuring a day/night indicator, representing Glashütte’s cutting-edge craftsmanship.

The tourbillon is often seen as the pinnacle of complications in haute horlogerie. In 1920, Alfred Helwig, a master craftsman from Glashütte, revolutionized the tourbillon by anchoring it from one side, thus liberating its top section. Now, Glashütte Original’s team has further enhanced the tourbillon’s capabilities. Their Flyback Tourbillon overcomes two long-standing challenges faced by watchmakers. When adjusted, a unique mechanism freezes the tourbillon, and with a specific crown position, it adjusts itself, stopping the second hand precisely at the zero point. This innovative approach has earned two patents, reinforcing Glashütte Original’s position among horological pioneers.

The unwavering commitment of the Glashütte Original team shines through their constant endeavours to refine watchmaking. The Senator Chronometer Tourbillon now boasts a unique minute indicator. When the Flyback Tourbillon is zeroed, the minute hand aligns perfectly with the next mark, enabling precise time-setting.

Each watch undergoes a strict 15-day assessment by the Thuringian Weights and Measures Office, ensuring it meets the DIN 8319 official chronometer standard. Watches that pass are accompanied by a Chronometer Certificate, housed in an exquisite white oak box, certifying their unmatched accuracy. Features like the silicon balance spring safeguard the Senator Chronometer Tourbillon from magnetic fields and temperature fluctuations. The watch is powered by the manual winding Calibre 58-06, operates at 21,600 half oscillations per hour and boasts a 70-hour power reserve, easily read from the 9 o’clock position.

The 42mm platinum case allows for a front view of the movement, revealing the Flyback Tourbillon’s inner workings. Its intricate control mechanism and damping wheel are visible, ensuring the tourbillon’s smooth resetting. Advanced laser-engraving techniques lend a unique finish to the movement’s top, culminating in a Clous de Paris pattern, which adds depth to the dial’s design. Other intricate details include the dial and tourbillon cage, perched atop two miniature towers, and an engraved “Chronometer Tourbillon” reflected inside the case. A globe sketch symbolizes over 175 years of watchmaking heritage, while a day/night display shows celestial entities completing a 24-hour orbit.

This Senator Chronometer Tourbillon edition, limited to 50 units globally, will be available in all Glashütte Original Boutiques and select dealers from October 2023.

The price is AUD$263,400.

You can learn more about the watch here.