If you are looking for a dressy watch with a touch of vintage flair, you might want to check out the Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second in Gold. This watch is part of the Sixties collection, which pays tribute to the style and creativity of the 1960s, a decade that shaped the history of Glashütte Original and German watchmaking.
The History of Glashütte Original and the Sixties Collection
Glashütte Original is a prestigious German watch manufacturer that traces its roots back to 1845, when Ferdinand Adolph Lange founded the first watchmaking company in Glashütte, a small town in Saxony. Lange and his successors established Glashütte as a center of excellence for high-end mechanical watches, rivaling the Swiss industry.
However, after World War II, Glashütte was part of the Soviet-occupied East Germany, and the watchmaking companies were nationalized and merged into a state-owned enterprise called GUB (Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe). Under this regime, GUB produced watches for the domestic and export markets, often with limited resources and under strict regulations.
Despite these challenges, GUB managed to create some innovative and distinctive watches in the 1960s, such as the Spezimatic, which featured an automatic movement with a bidirectional rotor, or the Spezichron, which had a date display at 3 o’clock. These watches had simple but elegant designs, with domed crystals, curved hands, and stylized numerals.
After the reunification of Germany in 1990, GUB was privatized and renamed Glashütte Original, claiming its heritage as the legal successor of A. Lange & Söhne. Since then, Glashütte Original has been producing high-quality watches that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, using in-house movements and components.
In 2018, Glashütte Original launched the Sixties collection, which is inspired by the watches of the 1960s. The collection includes three-hand models with or without a panorama date, a chronograph, and colorful limited editions with textured dials. The Sixties collection showcases Glashütte Original’s expertise in dial making, as well as its respect for its own history and identity.
The Features of the Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second in Gold
The latest addition to the Sixties collection is the Sixties Small Second in Gold, which introduces a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock for the first time in this line. This detail adds a refined touch to the watch, as well as a subtle contrast to the galvanic silver-opaline dial.
The dial has a slightly domed shape that follows the curvature of the sapphire crystal and the hands. The crystal is anti-reflective on both sides for optimal readability. The hands and indexes are made of 18-karat rose gold, matching the 42 mm case. The numerals at 3, 9, and 12 o’clock use a font that recalls the 1960s.
The small seconds subdial is decorated with a fine vinyl-type finish that resembles concentric circles. This pattern adds some texture and dynamism to the otherwise minimalist dial. The only text on the dial is “Glashütte/SA”, which stands for “Glashütte/Sachsen” or “Glashütte/Saxony”, indicating the origin of the watch.
The case is also made of 18-karat rose gold and has a thickness of 12.4 mm. It has a polished finish and a slightly curved profile that hugs the wrist comfortably. The caseback is transparent and reveals the self-winding caliber 39-60, which powers the watch.
The caliber 39-60 is an in-house movement that beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a power reserve of 40 hours. It is finely finished with Glashütte stripes, beveled edges, polished screws, and a swan-neck regulator. The rotor is skeletonized and features the double-G logo of Glashütte Original, as well as a 21-karat gold weight for increased inertia.
The watch comes with a dark green Louisiana alligator leather strap that complements the rose gold case and dial. The strap has a pin buckle for easy adjustment. The water resistance of the watch is rated at 30 meters (100 feet), which means it can withstand splashes but not submersion.
The Price and Availability of the Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second in Gold
The Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second in Gold is a limited edition of 100 pieces, which makes it a rare and exclusive timepiece. It is available from June 15, 2023, at Glashütte Original boutiques and authorized retailers. The price of the watch is USD 16,000, which is reasonable for a gold watch with an in-house movement and a unique design.
The Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second in Gold is a watch that combines sophistication and subtlety, as well as tradition and innovation. It is a tribute to the 1960s, a decade that shaped the history of Glashütte Original and German watchmaking. It is also a testament to the craftsmanship and quality of Glashütte Original, one of the finest watch manufacturers in the world.