The PanoMaticCalendar, The First Annual Calendar of Glashütte Original

The Pano collection of Glashütte Original, probably the most emblematic and distinctive range of watches produced by the Saxon manufacture, has already been the host of many complications… Think about an off-centred chronograph, a reversed movement, an elegant moonphase watch or even a tourbillon. There’s one complication that has never been made yet by GO, and that’s one of the most practical ones you can imagine. A highly balanced mix of complication and simplicity, we’re talking about the annual calendar. And it now finds its way within the brand’s asymmetrical watches, with the new Glashütte Original PanoMaticCalendar, and its new in-house movement. 

The first annual calendar of Glashütte Original

In addition to the classic date display, there are mostly 3 types of calendar complications – as we’ve explained in detail in this in-depth article. The first is the so-called triple, complete or full calendar, and it’s mostly the addition of the day and the month to a classic date watch, meaning that corrections are required every two months. On top of the pyramid is the complex and desirable perpetual calendar, which automatically takes into account even the leap years. In the middle is a highly practical, rewarding type developed by Patek in 1996, the annual calendar. While simpler, more secure, more reliable and more accessible than a perpetual calendar, it only differs by the fact that it needs one correction per year, on March 1st. It otherwise automatically takes into account the months with 30 and 31 days. A perfect balance between practicality, everyday usability and fine horology. And a favourite of the MONOCHROME team.

With the PanoMaticCalendar, Glashütte Original rises the curtain not only on a new watch, but also on a new movement, which features an unprecedented complication for the brand. GO has already shown its involvement in calendar watches, with the long-lasting Senator Perpetual Calendar. It’s now time for the signature, asymmetrical Pano collection to receive its more complex calendar indication, yet this time with an annual calendar function. And still that typically Saxon off-centred display, thanks to a clever implementation of the month indication.

A classic Pano design, in two tastes

Let’s first talk design and habillage, before moving to technical design. The new PanoMaticCalendar feels highly familiar at first, sharing many traits with the well-established PanoMaticLunar, a cornerstone of the Pano collection. And rightfully so, as the new annual calendar watch shares the overall design of the case, yet with different proportions, but also the very unique display, only differing with the discreet addition of one calendar indication. As such, the off-centred layout, with a snailed dial for the hours and minutes, rising above an overlapping small second – forming a reversed figure 8 – is still present. So is the moonphase aperture at 2 o’clock and the signature Panorama Date at 4 o’clock.

The Glashütte Original PanoMaticCalendar launches in two editions, which are drastically different yet technically identical. Both share the same 42mm case with a height of 12.4mm. Not a compact watch, but this has never been the intention of the Pano collection. The case, with a decent 50m water-resistance, is polished on the top surfaces and brushed on the sides and features sapphire crystals front and back. In any case, the watch is worn on an alligator strap with a rather attractive matte nubuck surface, giving a slightly more casual touch.

As said, two editions are available. The first is a classic 5N red gold model that will make it to the permanent collection. This gold version is paired with a closed silver opaline dial, with a combination of matte and vinyl-type decorative patterns, and applied markers and hands made of gold, with the exception of the small seconds that is blued steel. All very classic and elegant, typical of the collection. It is worn on a brown strap for a warm look. The second edition of the Glashütte Original PanoMaticCalendar is a limited edition of 150 pieces, and it’s made out of platinum. On this model, the dial is partially opened, revealing some of the movement’s intricacies underneath – such as the moon, or the two discs of the Panorama date. On this galvanic black dial with a vinyl-type pattern, only the necessary tracks have been kept. Much bolder and far more modern, it also benefits from a dark-plated movement and blued steel hands. It is worn on a black strap.

The new calibre 92

Let’s now talk mechanics. As said, not only this Glashütte Original PanoMaticCalendar is a new model but it also comes with a new movement. One could imagine GO to have modified the calibre 90-02 of the PanoMaticLunar to now display an annual calendar, but it actually goes deeper than this. First, the calendar. For this watch, Glashütte Original has decided to be soft and sleek on the indications, as in addition to the Panorama date, you’ll only find the addition of the current month. No week-day on this annual calendar. And the brand has been clever in the integration of the month, which is found in a semi-circular arch running from 3 to 6 o’clock.

The curved sapphire crystal window uses numerals to indicate the 12 months. The crystal is tinted grey or black, with the sole exception of the month numerals. The indicators on the month ring beneath it, which completes one revolution every four years, ensure in this manner that only one digit at a time is highlighted in colour. As for the calendar mechanism itself, GO relies on a month wheel, which serves as the calendar’s memory. The cam disc at the top of the wheel completes one revolution per year, and its irregular rim triggers the switching process at the end of the month; its indentations mark the months with 31 days. A small tooth on the underside of the wheel advances the month ring via a gear chain, bringing the retrograde display on the dial side to life.

This month’s display is complemented by the classic Panorama date, which is composed of two, non-overlapping discs, with a concentric mounting – so the two discs are always on the same plane. The date is adjusted, like the month and the time, by the crown. Finally, this annual calendar is completed by a blue-and-gold moonphase, with a precision of one-day deviation per 122 years. This is adjusted by the mean of a recessed corrector in the caseband.

The calibre 92-10 (black rhodium plated for the platinum watch) or calibre 92-09 (rhodium plated for the gold watch) appears first as the same movement as the PanoMaticLunar – it certainly shares some of its construction. However, looking at the stats, you’ll see a strong evolution. The architecture of this automatic movement is typical GO, with a ¾ plate, an off-centred rotor with double-G logo and 21k gold mass, and the handsome double swan-neck fine adjustment. What changes most is the length of the power reserve, which is now 100 hours (more than double the PML). And it also features an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring. The movement is secured in the case with a bayonet mounting, which ensures effective shock and impact resistance. Regarding the finishing, it has all the familiar decorations of the brand; fine stripes, bevelled edges, blued screws and hand-engraved balance cock.

Availability & Price

The Glashütte Original PanoMaticCalendar in 5N gold is released as part of the permanent collection, and is priced from EUR 27,600. It is available with a pin buckle or a folding clasp. The PanoMaticCalendar in platinum is a limited edition of 150 pieces, priced at EUR 40,400. Both are now available from boutiques and retailers.

For more details, please visit www.glashuette-original.com.