Our review of the Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph Silver Screen, a dive watch that stands out with its black-and-white aesthetic. Price: €15,500
Last September, Glashütte Original presented the SeaQ Chronograph “Silver Screen”, a new interpretation of the sporty flyback chronograph of the German watchmaker, part of the Spezialist collection which also includes the SeaQ and SeaQ Panorama Date dive watches.
Following our introductory article, we recently had the chance to wear and test this new model for a few days, and we are now delighted to share our impressions and live photos.
The first diver’s watch of the brand to integrate a chronograph complication, the SeaQ Chronograph was launched in 2022 with a sunburst blue dial. Now, with the “Silver Screen” edition, Glashütte Original adopts a black-and-white aesthetic for a striking contrast.
The stainless steel case of this robust model measures 43.2 mm x 16.95 mm and is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel with a scratch-resistant black ceramic inlay.
The dynamic lines are highlighted by meticulously finished satin-brushed and polished surfaces.
The guard-protected crown has a fine wave decoration, while the mushroom-shaped chronograph pushers are characterised by an octagonal profile.
Protected by a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment applied on both sides, the handcrafted dial in the colour ‘Silver Screen’ makes use of the optical effect that cinema screens once achieved with a thin layer of silver paint, hence its name.
The finely matt, silver galvanised surface reduces light dispersion and increases contrast, ensuring optimum readability.
For perfect legibility in any light conditions, the black hours and minutes hands, along with the applied hour markers and numerals, are filled with Super-LumiNova that glows in blue in darker environments.
Super-LumiNova is also used for the bezel's triangle, which marks the dive start time, and the tip of the running seconds.
The two snailed counters at 3 o’clock and 9 o'clock, displaying the chronograph 30 minutes and the running seconds respectively, have been lathe-cut, and given a “vinyl” decorative finish in the manufactory workshops.
The big aperture at 6 o'clock displays the date by using two large numerals (Panorama Date) printed on concentric disks that are mounted on the same level, thus avoiding the need for a central vertical bar to separate them.
The chronograph start and stop functions are controlled by the pusher at 2 o'clock, while the flyback function is operated by the pusher at 4 o'clock. Pressing the flyback pusher halts the on-going time measurement and the chronograph hour, minute and second hands jump back to zero. A new measurement begins immediately as soon as the flyback pusher is released.
Meeting the stringent requirements for professional diver’s watches, this model offers water resistance up to 30 bar (300 metres / 1,000 feet) and complies with ISO 6425 and DIN 8306 standards.
When you unscrew the crown, a clearly visible red section of the tube serves as a reminder for the wearer to screw down the crown to prevent water and dust from entering.
All adjustments are made via the crown, eliminating the need for a separate date corrector, which would compromise the watch’s water resistance.
In position 1, the automatic movement is wound, in position 2 the date can be corrected, and in position 3, the time can be set while the second stop is activated.
This model has also been developed to resist shocks and impacts. In case the watch is dropped, it is essential that the dial does not buckle or warp on impact, which could interfere with, or even block, the hands. To avoid this, the designers placed a hollow hexagonal socket screw, made of stainless steel, in the centre of the dial. It is placed from above over the hand shafts, thus fixing the dial to the plate before the hands are mounted. Thanks to this construction approach, the dial remains securely in place, even in the event of a shock.
The SeaQ Chronograph is a professional diver's watch but it displays flawless finishes down to the smallest detail.
Instead of a solid case back, the watch features a screwed-down sapphire crystal, showcasing the beautifully decorated self-winding Calibre 37-23.
Integrating a column wheel switch, this chronograph movement beats at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) with a power reserve of over 70 hours. Its silicon balance spring offers enhanced resistance to the influence of magnetic fields.
The column wheel mechanism in action: engaged (ON) and, below, disengaged (OFF)
Aesthetic refinements include perlage, sunburst finishing, stripe finish, bevelling, and polishing.
The swan-neck fine adjustment and the skeletonised rotor, with its 21-carat gold oscillating mass and recurring double-G logo, reflect the movement’s meticulous craftsmanship.
There are plenty of strap options to choose from. We particularly liked the synthetic fabric straps made from recycled fishnets, available in black, blue, grey, or orange.
Other choices include black or green rubber straps, as well as a three-link stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp featuring a comfort extension button that allows for a 5 mm adjustment. The lug width is 21 mm.
Bringing together Glashütte Original’s expertise in chronographs and professional dive watches, the SeaQ Chronograph 'Silver Screen' stands out with its refined black-and-white aesthetic, robust construction, and high-performance movement.
The new Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph “Silver Screen” has a suggested retail price of €15,500 with any of the available strap options or €16,700 with its steel bracelet (ref. 1-37-23-03-80-70). glashuette-original.com
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