The first edition of the new Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer Tourbillon is a Limited Edition of only 25 pieces crafted from platinum and certified as a chronometer. Fior the first time, the German watchmaker has succeeded in combining a flying tourbillon with a second-stop mechanism, zero reset and minute detent.The Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer Tourbillon Limited Edition (ref. 1-58-05-01-03-30) has a price of Euro 150,000.
In 1801 Abraham-Louis Breguet invented the tourbillon, a sophisticated device designed to enhance the precision of a timepiece. By turning the entire oscillation and escapement system on its axis once a minute, the ingenious construction could compensate the gravitational forces affecting the rate accuracy.
In order to see a significant improvement to this invention we had to wait more than a century when Alfred Helwig, instructor at the German School of Watchmaking in Glashütte, designed the first flying tourbillon in 1920. Rather than being supported by a bridge on the dial side and a bridge on the movement side, the flying tourbillon is cantilevered, i.e. is only secured to the plate on one side so offering an unobstructed view of the mechanism on the other side.
With the goal to further improve Alfred Helwig’s invention, German watchmaker Glashütte Original has succeeded for the first time in combining a flying tourbillon with a second-stop mechanism, zero reset and minute detent, allowing the time to be set with greater precision.
The first edition of the new Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer Tourbillon is a Limited Edition of only 25 pieces crafted from platinum and certified as a chronometer.
Although in modern wristwatches the tourbillon is generally implemented to demonstrate the watchmaking expertise of a brand, Glashütte Original’s main goal in developing this model was the achievement of the highest possible precision, its original purpose.
The combination of second-stop mechanism, zero reset and minute detent makes it possible to synchronize minute and second hands, thus allowing the time to be set with great precision: in fact, when the crown is pulled, the tourbillon’s rotating cage stops instantly and, with it, also the second hand that is mounted on it. This way, the watch can be easily synchronized with a reference time signal.
The pulling of the crown triggers a vertical clutch that locks the tourbillon cage, and with it the balance, in its current position. If the crown is then pulled out further and held in position, the second hand advances clockwise to zero, and the minute hand advances to the next full index.
Beating at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour with a power reserve of 70 hours, the hand-wound calibre 58-05 also features a silicon balance spring for protection against magnetic fields and changes in temperature.
Housed in the 42 mm platinum case, the movement is decorated using various finishing techniques, including hand engravings and the classic Glashütte stripes.
On the upper edge of the dial, at 12 o’clock, the mirrored upper ring displays the inscription "Chronometer Tourbillon", engraved back-to-front on the dial fastener.
Completed by a dark blue Louisiana alligator leather strap with a fold fastener in platinum, the Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer Tourbillon Limited Edition (ref. 1-58-05-01-03-30) has a price of Euro 150,000. glashuette-original.com
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