Review: Glashütte Original Sixties Chronograph

Hands-on review of the Glashütte Original Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition 2023 with exclusive live pictures. Price € 9,800

Created as a tribute to the design of the 1960s, the Sixties Collection from Glashütte Original was inspired to a successful watch introduced in 1964 by the then state-owned VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe, the Spezimatic. This model was manufactured till 1979 in a large number of different versions and colourful dials.

Introduced last September, the Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition 2023 fits within the stylistic elements of this collection, offering a refined dial that catches the eye with its distinctive craftsmanship.

We recently had the pleasure of testing and wearing it for a few days, and we are now delighted to share our impressions and pictures with our readers.

The classic round case measures 42 mm in diameter with a thickness of 12.4 mm. It is crafted from stainless steel and entirely polished for a sleek appearance. The chronograph start/stop and reset functions are activated by the pusher at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock, respectively. 

The watch boasts pleasing proportions and sits comfortably on the wrist. For reference, the wrist in our pictures measures 17.8 cm / 7 inches.

Water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 3 bar (approximately corresponding to a depth of 30 metres / 100 feet).

A domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides protects the similarly domed stone-grey varnished dial. This is finely embossed with a dégradé effect that fades into a darker tone towards the outside.

The low-relief pattern is produced using the original tools and methods from the 1960s. Each dial blank receives its embossing with the aid of a 60-tonne press.

The white Arabic numerals are complemented by incised hour markers with luminous dots. The red-gold rod-shaped hands are gently curved to follow the profile of the dial and feature Super-LumiNova inlays for improved readability in low-light environments.

The self-winding Calibre 39-34 powers the display of hours, minutes, the small seconds, the second stop, and the chronograph’s 30-minute counter. Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), it offers a power reserve of 40 hours. 

Visible through the specially shaped sapphire crystal back designed to ensure optimal wearing comfort on the wrist, the movement features the typical Glashütte three-quarter plate with stripe finish, bevelled edges, polished screws, swan-neck fine adjustment, and a skeletonized rotor enhanced by an oscillating mass in 21-carat gold and decorated with stripe finish and double-G logo.


The dark blue ultra-robust textile strap adds a fresh and casual tone to the watch, one that can be worn in any situation. It is fastened to the wrist by a stainless steel pin buckle with engraved double-G logo. The lug width measures 20 mm.

Impeccably crafted, the Glashütte Original Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition 2023 ref. 1-39-34-06-22-04 offers a captivating vintage charm thanks to its elaborately refined dial, revealing a one-of-a-kind character. Available from Glashütte Original Boutiques and from selected dealers worldwide, it retails at the  price of Euro 9,800 (including 19% VAT). glashuette-original.com

Suggested reading:

- Our visit to the Glashütte Original manufactory