Introducing The Colorful Sixties Iconic Square Collection By Glashütte Original (With 1960s Dial Colors)

Following the inaugural presentation of the Sixties Iconic Collection in 2015, Glashütte Original takes its tribute to iconic 1960s design to a new level. For those who thought that Glashütte Original watches were rigorous and very teutonic (well, some are, yet in a very beautiful way), you might have to change your mind about the brand. They can also go a bit out of the box. A vintage and original rounded-square design, combined with super-bright colors… Yes, the Glashütte Original Sixties Iconic Square Collection comes from that same Saxonian manufacture that can create the Senator Chronometer. And we won’t complain that they dare to look back at iconic design elements first presented in “Spezimatic” models produced in the 1960s.

Looking back a bit at the past, you’ll discover that the production of Glashütte Original watches (at that time named GUB, for Glashütte Uhrenbetrieb) was far away from the current style of the brand, with their serious and understated looks – see for instance this modern one. Indeed, back in the 1960s, the most well-known watches were the Spezimatic. And they were rather bold in terms of design (cases could be very round to squared) and they were featuring highly colored dials, from orange to bright green. In order to pay a tribute to these times of funky creativity, the brand introduced in 2015 a first collection, based on the round Sixties collection, with 5 colored and textured dials (including turquoise, bright red or gold). With this same idea in mind, they now apply the concept to another bold collection, the Sixties Square Chronograph, still with bright and funky colors.

This new Glashütte Original Sixties Iconic Square Collection is based on 5 watches, all limited to 25 pieces: Sixties Iconic Forest (green), Sixties Iconic Ocean (blue), Sixties Iconic Graphite (grey with a textured dial), Sixties Iconic Tangerine (orange) and Sixties Iconic Fire (red). The five new models feature highly coloured dials crafted in Glashütte Original’s own dial manufactory in Pforzheim, Germany. Made using original tools and authentic methods from the 1960s, they are the result of a complex and time-consuming process.

These dials result from the application of several layers of coloured lacquers, to obtain a “dégradé effect”, which goes from light centres to dark perimeters (a black lacquer is carefully applied, using a special spray gun). The grey model, named Sixties Iconic Graphite, even featured a textured dial. Prior to galvanic nickel plating the dial blank is imprinted, with the help of a 60-tonne press, with the intricate filigree pattern of a guilloche stamp.

The five models in the Glashütte Original Sixties Iconic Square Collection feature a distinctive square cushion shaped stainless steel case, measuring 41.35mm x 41.35mm and having a thickness of 12.6mm, and the manufactory automatic Calibre 39-34 chronograph. This automatic movement is the “classical” offer of the brand – not the integrated, column-wheel Calibre 37 – meaning a modular chronograph based on a traditional self-winding calibre. It runs at 4Hz and boasts 40H of power reserve. The movement is visible through an original domed sapphire crystal, and shows bevelled edges, polished steel parts, a three-quarter plate with striping and a skeletonized rotor with 21k gold oscillation weight.

The Glashütte Original Sixties Iconic Square Collection is limited to 25 pieces for each color, available in February 2017 in Glashütte Original Boutiques and selected retailers worldwide. Price: 9,700 USD. glashuette-original.com.

---

Specifications of the Glashütte Original Sixties Iconic Square Collection

• Case: 41.35mm x 41.35mm x 12.6mm – stainless steel, polished – sapphire crystal on both faces – 30m water resistant
• Movement: Calibre 39-34, in-house – automatic – 4Hz frequency – 40h power reserve – 51 jewels – hours, minutes, small second and chronograph with 30-minute counter
• Strap: Louisiana Alligator leather strap (brown or black, depending on the model) with steel pin-buckle