Since 2018, German watchmaker Glashütte Authentic has taken the chance every year to launch a particular Annual Version variant of its elegant retro Sixties line, providing a singular twist on this dressy cornerstone of the model’s lineup. For 2020 the Annual Version returns, bringing a brand new dial not simply to the Sixties however, for the primary time, additionally the Sixties Chronograph. The colour for 2020 is a pale dynamic “glacier blue” tone, including a colder edge to the Glashütte Authentic Sixties Annual Version 2020 and Sixties Chronograph Annual Version 2020.
The stainless-steel circumstances of the 2 new fashions are an identical to their common manufacturing counterparts, clocking in at 39 mm in diameter for the Sixties, whereas the Sixties Chronograph wears barely bigger at 42 mm. Each are elementally easy in general type, and stay comparatively devoted to the slimmer tendencies of the 1960’s that encourage them. The three hander measures in at a slender 9.four mm thick and the chronograph at what nonetheless is a properly wearable 12.four mm thick. Every of the pair have huge sapphire show backs to supply a beneficiant view of the embellished manufactory actions inside.
After all, the dials of those new fashions are the actual draw right here. Produced in-house by Glashütte Authentic’s very personal dial manufactory, the desaturated, chilly “glacier blue” isn’t achieved by a galvanic remedy like on most different Glashütte Authentic watches, however is executed in lacquer over the model’s signature sunburst brushed base. Whereas the colour itself is a chic and dramatic complement to the mid-century simplicity of the general design, the dial actually units itself aside within the particulars.
There’s a comparatively fast dègradè impact from the icy blue of the middle to an almost black midnight blue on the edge, coinciding gracefully with the downward curve of the dial floor itself because it meets the case. This curve, in flip, mimics the dramatic dome of the sapphire crystal (see one picture above) for added visible concord. Apart from this, the basic parts of the Sixties and Sixties Chronograph are on full show in these new fashions, with the minimal Germanic stick arms and indices given character with the swooping retro types of the stylized Arabic numerals.
Each the Glasshütte Authentic Sixties Annual Version 2020 and the Sixties Chronograph Annual Version 2020 use variations of the identical automated motion. For the three hander, the in-house Calibre 39-52 presents Glashütte stripes throughout the principle plate, stability cock, and a customized rotor with gold double-G accents and a strong 21kt gold oscillation weight. When it comes to technical specs, the four.3mm thick Calibre 39-52 gives a high-tech Anachron stability spring that operates at a contemporary 4Hz price over an influence reserve of 40 hours. The Sixties Chronograph Annual Version 2020 is powered by the Calibre 39-34, which provides a chronograph module to the dial aspect of the Calibre 39 base. With that in thoughts, the ending and technical specs are almost an identical, though the addition of a small working seconds and 30 minute chronograph register does nothing to detract from the 40 hour energy reserve.
Every of the Annual Version 2020 fashions is offered on a unique-looking, grayish-brown nubuck strap. Its desaturated, muted tone performs nicely with the pale colours of the dial, including a touch of heat to enrich the dominant cooler tones. A pin buckle is used on each, which isn’t as fancy as Glashütte Authentic’s folding buckles, however in our expertise, it’s fairly a bit extra snug.
Whereas not a strictly restricted version in numbers, each the Glashütte Authentic Sixties Annual Version 2020 and the Sixties Chronograph Annual Version 2020 will solely be produced for a single yr earlier than being discontinued. Coupled with the present state of producing, this might make these fashions very uncommon certainly sooner or later. Each are at present obtainable for buy by approved sellers, at an MSRP of $7,155 for the three hander and $eight,780 for the chronograph. For extra data, please go to the model’s web site.
