Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer Tourbillon
Unveiling Glashütte Original's latest horological innovation, a culmination of over 175 years of watchmaking mastery presented in a limited-edition Senator Chronometer Tourbillon. Share
Glashütte Original has reached a significant achievement with its patented Flyback Tourbillon. This technical marvel performs an intricate dance, pausing, turning smoothly, then resuming its initial position. The Senator Chronometer Tourbillon showcases this mechanical ballet with a stepped-level design. Only 50 of these timepieces are available, presenting a laser-engraved movement from the front and a meticulously crafted dial with a recessed day/night indicator.
The tourbillon, a complex component in haute horlogerie, has its entire oscillation and escape system rotate around its own axis within one minute. In 1920, Alfred Helwig, a master watchmaker from Glashütte, introduced the flying tourbillon, a mechanism anchored on one side, liberating it from the top of its cage. Glashütte Original’s constructors have now refined this mechanism.
The Flyback Tourbillon, with its two patents, addresses two challenges that have faced watchmakers for over 100 years. A vertical clutch stops the balance and locks the tourbillon cage when the crown is pulled out. When shifted to its next position and held, the tourbillon cage gently rises until its second hand halts at the zero marker.
The commitment of Glashütte Original to the art of watchmaking remains unyielding. The Senator Chronometer Tourbillon incorporates an innovative minute detent, aligning the second and minute hands to allow precise time setting. This feature is both audible and tangible as the minute hand shifts from one index to the next.
Each Senator Chronometer Tourbillon is rigorously tested by the Thuringian Weights and Measures Office against the DIN 8319 official chronometer standard. Over a 15-day evaluation, these watches must prove their reliability under various conditions. A Chronometer Certificate accompanies each watch, recognizing its precision. The watch also boasts a silicon balance spring, providing resistance against magnetic fields and temperature changes. The manual winding Calibre 58-06 operates at 21,600 half oscillations per hour and offers a 70-hour power reserve.
The 42mm platinum case provides a clear view of the movement from the front, revealing the Flyback Tourbillon’s mechanism. The laser-engraved decorative finish on the movement’s top side is achieved by stripping away layers, revealing the Clous de Paris pattern. This contributes to the dial’s multi-dimensional appearance.
The dial and tourbillon cage sit elevated on two small towers above the movement. Hidden within the dial carrier is an engraving that mirrors the “Chronometer Tourbillon” inscription on the case’s inner wall. A globe sketch on the dial signifies the culmination of over 175 years of watchmaking expertise, whilst the day/night display rotates the sun and moon around a spherical axis every 24 hours. Limited to a mere 50 pieces globally, the Senator Chronometer Tourbillon will be available in all Glashütte Original Boutiques and select retailers starting in October 2023.
