Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph and Navigator: Two Centuries of Saxon Watchmaking Tradition
Glashütte Original Celebrates a Century of Wristwatch Chronograph Development
A century after Glashütte's watchmakers began transitioning from pocket watches to wristwatches, Glashütte Original has unveiled two new chronographs that trace this history through design and mechanical innovation. The Senator Chronograph and Senator Chronograph Navigator both feature the brand's in-house Caliber 37-24 flyback chronograph movement, housed in 41mm stainless steel cases with distinct design languages rooted in different chapters of the brand's past.
The new watches mark a significant milestone for Glashütte Original, which is re-engaging with its Saxon heritage at a time when German watchmaking is experiencing renewed collector interest.
Historical Context: From Pocket to Wrist
In the 1920s, Glashütte's watchmakers faced a fundamental shift as consumer demand moved decisively toward wristwatches. Dr. Ernst Kurtz led the effort to adapt the town's precision pocket watchmaking standards to the smaller wrist format. His UROFA Caliber 58, nicknamed the "Raumnutzwerk" (space-efficient movement), became a commercial success and laid the groundwork for the UROFA Caliber 59.
The Caliber 59, developed in the early 1940s as a pilot's chronograph, was Glashütte's first modern wristwatch chronograph. It featured a flyback function, shock protection, and could withstand pressures of 15 bar — specifications demanded by military aviation. More than 80 years later, that flyback technology provides the direct mechanical link to the new Senator chronographs.
Caliber 37-24: The Modern Flyback Movement
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Movement | Glashütte Original Caliber 37-24 |
| Type | Automatic, Integrated Column-Wheel Chronograph |
| Diameter | 34.2mm |
| Thickness | 8mm |
| Power Reserve | 70 Hours |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) |
| Functions | Hours, Minutes, Running Seconds, 30-Min Chronograph, Panorama Date, Flyback |
| Balance Spring | Silicon |
| Finishing | Glashütte stripes, beveled edges, polished steel, blued screws |
The Caliber 37-24 is a modern integrated column-wheel chronograph that carries forward the flyback function from its historical predecessor. The flyback mechanism allows the chronograph to be stopped, reset, and immediately restarted with a single pusher press — a feature originally developed for pilots who needed to time successive flight segments without delay.
The movement incorporates a silicon balance spring for increased resistance to magnetic fields and temperature fluctuations, solid gold regulating screws on the balance wheel rim, and the brand's signature swan-neck fine adjustment for precise regulation. A newly developed skeletonized rotor with a 21k gold oscillating weight provides an unobstructed view through the sapphire display caseback.
Two Design Languages, One Movement
The Senator Chronograph Navigator draws directly from the pilot's watches produced in Glashütte during the 1940s. Its matte black dial features large Arabic numeral appliqués filled with Super-LumiNova, luminous hands, and a white minute track for maximum legibility. A large cone-shaped crown and traditional mushroom-shaped chronograph pushers complete the vintage aviation aesthetic.
The Senator Chronograph takes a more classical approach, inspired by the observation watches Glashütte produced for maritime navigation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its silver-white dial with fine grainé finish is fitted with solid gold Roman numeral appliqués with blue coating, complemented by blued steel hands. A white gold frame surrounds the Panorama Date, adding a subtle touch of refinement.
Despite their different inspirations, both watches share identical dimensions: 41mm diameter, 12.9mm thickness, and 50 meters water resistance. Both feature recessed subdials at 9 and 3 o'clock for running seconds and chronograph minutes, with the Panorama Date at 6 o'clock and a tachymeter scale on the rehaut.
Pricing and Availability
Both the Senator Chronograph and Senator Chronograph Navigator are available through Glashütte Original boutiques and authorized retailers worldwide. Pricing starts at $16,100 USD on a leather or synthetic strap and $17,100 USD on a stainless steel bracelet. All straps feature a quick-change system for tool-free changes, and the steel bracelets include a fine-adjustment system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a flyback chronograph and how does it differ from a standard chronograph?
A flyback chronograph can be reset and restarted with a single press of the pusher while the chronograph is running. A standard chronograph requires three separate operations: stop, reset, then restart. The flyback function was originally developed for pilots timing sequential flight segments.
How do the two models differ mechanically?
Both the Senator Chronograph and Senator Chronograph Navigator use the identical Caliber 37-24 movement. The differences are purely aesthetic, with the Navigator featuring a pilot's watch design and the standard Senator adopting a classical dress watch appearance.
What is the Panorama Date?
The Panorama Date is Glashütte Original's signature large date display, which uses two concentric discs to show the date. Unlike many big-date implementations, the Panorama Date eliminates the gap between digits for a cleaner appearance.
According to aBlogtoWatch — Read the original article
Related reading: Chronograph Types Explained: Column-Wheel, Flyback, and More