German watches
Like many wristwatches that were introduced recently by Swiss-based and German majors, the new Glashutte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date is strongly inspired by models from the 1970s. Simple and elegant, the watch (especially versions with ruthenium grey and galvanized blue dials) offers superb legibility and is powered by a nicely decorated Caliber 37-02 self-winding movement with 70 hours of power reserve and one of the most refined oscillating weights that money can buy.
The watch is still delivered in the same compact stainless steel body that measures 40 x 40 mm long and wide and brings you that nice combination of flowing curves and sharp angles that are emphasized by alternately brushed and polished surface.
As is clearly visible on these promotional photos, the new Glashutte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date offers a slightly more modern take on the idea of a vintage-styled watch. While staying delightfully old-fashioned with its soapbox-shaped body with hidden lugs and unassuming setting crown, the timepiece is equipped with a very up-to-date dial.
If you take a closer look at these promotional photos, you will see that the small seconds indicators at nine o’clock is now equipped with a small, but easily readable power reserve indicator that is always ready to remind you to wind up the watch while keeping very low profile.
In order to keep the watch as “vintage” as possible (and “vintage” in this particular case also presumes that the watch keeps the usual bi-compax layout of its dial), the German manufacturer has also modified the Caliber 37-02 automatic chronograph movement with a new 12-hour chronograph totalizer. Instead of a more common sub-dial with a small hour hand, this model features a small aperture with a numbered disk that completes its full circle in precisely 12 hours.
The hand is replaced with a small black (or silver, depending on color of the face) rectangle pointing at current hour.
Of course, their signature Panorama Date display that features a pair of numbered plates rotating in the same plane and looking extremely sexy compared to most similar indicator in less advanced timekeepers, is still here placed at its usual position at 6 o’clock.
As it is often the case when it comes to rectangular and barrel-shaped watches, the hour and minute hands may look a little bit awkward in some positions continuously going in and out of proportion with the minute track, but that is rather a nice feature than an irritating bug.
According to official specs, the watch will be shipped with a stainless steel bracelet, an alligator leather strap and a black rubber band. While the last couple of options may look quite cool in certain circumstances or when combined with appropriate dress, it is the version on the steel bracelet that really makes my heart beat faster.
If the German watchmaker will be able to keep the timekeeper’s street price below that dreaded €10,000 mark, it is going to be one of the most successful models in their whole price range.
See also: Glashutte Original Seventies Panorama Date Review (Ref. 39-47-12-12-14)
Photos: Glashutte Original
WWR preliminary verdict
Originality 5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Legibility: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5
Glashutte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date watch specification
Price: $14,900 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber 37-02, in-house, Made in Germany
Number of jewels: 65
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 70 hours
Movement decoration: Decorated by hand, blued screws, vertical stripes on the skeletonized oscillating weight and quarter panel
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, panorama date, power reserve, chronograph
Case material: Stainless steel
Bezel material: Matches case
Crown material: Matches case
Case shape: Cushion
Bezel shape: Square with round angles
Case size: 40.00 mm x 40.00 mm
Case height: 13.50 mm
Lug width: 26/18 mm
Dial: Galvanized silver / ruthenium / blue
Numerals: None
Hour markers: Applied
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet (Ref. 1-37-02-02-02-70) / Black Louisiana Alligator leather strap (Refs. 1-37-02-02-02-30 and 1-37-02-02-02-50) / Black rubber strap (Refs. 1-37-02-02-02-33 and 1-37-02-02-02-53)
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides
Case back: Sapphire