To threat a drained automotive comparability, if it weren’t for the Cayenne, Porsche may not have made it out of the early aughts. When it was launched in 2002, it has been extensively reported that the luxurious crossover single-handedly saved the corporate, enabling it to proceed constructing its legendary sports activities vehicles, just like the 911 Carrera and the Boxter. Granted, Glashütte Unique is probably going fairly removed from Porsche’s dire monetary straights twenty years in the past, however the reality stays — crossover luxury-sport merchandise in nearly each class stay white-hot — and the extra succesful, the higher. Constructing on this idea, the SeaQ diver that was re-launched in 2019 is getting a red-gold refresh from the German manufactory, with two new references: a two-toned diver with a grey dial, and an all-gold reference with a black sunburst dial. Each are beautiful, however the “Bicolor” reference is more likely to be the standout when it lands a bit later this summer time.
Specs
Model: Glashütte Unique
Mannequin: SeaQ Panorama Date Bicolor (ref. 1-36-13-04-91)
Dimensions: 43mm-wide, 15mm-thick
Water Resistance: 30 bar (300 meters)
Case Materials: stainless-steel with sapphire caseback, 18ok purple gold bezel and crown, ceramic bezel insert
Crystal/Lens: domed sapphire
Motion: Glashütte Unique Cal. 36.13 (computerized, grande date)
Frequency: 4Hz
Energy Reserve: 100 hours
Strap/Bracelet: artificial nylon or rubber w/ stainless-steel buckle
Value & Availability: $15,100 USD (bi-color), July 2020
Grey and rose gold is considered one of my favourite shade combos in watchmaking, and it’s executed to near-perfection right here with the Bicolor variant, which marries a stable purple gold bezel and knurled crown with outsized palms and utilized hour markers – each generously full of Tremendous-LumiNova. Whereas loads might be stated right here concerning the high quality of the dial itself, I’ll spare you the small print and can as a substitute direct you to go inside our manufactory go to to see how the SeaQ dials are made, firsthand. The watch itself is waterproof to 300 meters, however Glashütte Unique takes it one step additional, guaranteeing the complete watch meets the strict DIN (German) and ISO (worldwide) requirements for dive devices, with respect to water resistance, corrosion resistance, shock resistance, and legibility. The motion itself can also be noteworthy, bearing 100 hours of energy reserve, exemplary ending, and a uniquely safe “bayonet-style” mounting system that additional protects its chronometry from injury from case affect.
This pair of latest SeaQ watches joins a rising variety of “super-divers” that endure all the identical rigorous testing certifications of their stainless-steel or titanium counterparts however with ultra-luxe trimmings and a excessive stage of ending. The perennial favourite Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, the Panerai Submersible “Oro Rosso” PAM684, 2019’s two-tone Rolex Sea-Dweller, the rose gold Cartier Calibre Diver, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in Sedna Gold, and the two-tone Omega Seamaster 300 Chronograph all come to thoughts as related competitors within the house. Nonetheless, the SeaQ is, to my data, the one German-made dive watch of comparable provenance and functionality, making it a very neat entry to think about.
Along with the bi-color reference ($15,100 USD), a black-dialed solid-gold-cased variant (ref. 1-36-13-03-90) may also be becoming a member of the SeaQ assortment a little bit later within the 12 months, however this can kick the value as much as $24,900 USD. We’ll be going hands-on with each these references shortly to ship extra firsthand impressions, however within the meantime, you may study extra at glashuette-original.com
