Baselworld 2012: Glashütte Original Senator Observer 1911 Julius Assmann
If you’re in the market for a new “wear-every-day” watch than make sure you take some time to consider the new 1911 Julius Assman tribute collection from Glashütte Original, due to be launched at Basel World this year. Our personal favorite is the limited edition model pictured of which only 25 pieces will be offered. The clean lines, attractive dial and high legibility already make it an instant winner in our books but there’s more to this story than just good looks.
The Man Behind The Name
The name – or at least part of the name – of this new collection is quite distinctive but you can be sure there is a good reason why tribute is being paid to the man it was attached to.
Julius Assman started his company at the age of 25 and, along with his team of dedicated craftsmen, began to create pocket watches, chronometers and observation watches of the highest repute, renowned for both their quality of construction and their accuracy. So much so that before he set out on his historic voyage to discover the South Pole the famous Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen acquired a number of Assmann observation watches which would later play key roles in the successful navigation of his exploration.
It’s not hard to see then why Mr. Assman is revered today as one of the founding fathers of watchmaking in Glashütte.
The Senator Observer 1911 Julius Assmann
The first thing you notice when looking at the Observer 1911 is that it’s easy to read, a critical trait for a timepiece that has been designed to aide in the navigation of a boat at sea and an equally useful one in today’s busy world. There is however also a certain attractiveness in this simplicity, an understated elegance if you will which makes it an excellent candidate for an ‘every-day’ wearer.
The Limited Edition model is presented in a polished 44 mm white gold case with a brown calfskin strap. Arguably it is a touch on the large side for daily use but just barely and after a few weeks you probably wouldn’t even notice. The dial is white with a railroad chapter ring, black Arabic numerals and the quintessential blued hands which offer just that little bit of a contrast on an other wise plain dial.
On the reverse side the case back is engraved with the limited edition number of the piece (for example 01/25). The sapphire crystal is anti-reflective and displays the dates of Amundsen’s arrival at the South Pole and its centennial anniversary: 14 Dec. 1911 – 14 Dec 2011; the name Julius Assmann – Glashütte i/SA, and “Tribute to R. Amundsen”.
The Movement
The Observer 1911 is animated by a caliber 100-14, a high precision self-winding mechanical movement, a modern convenience in an otherwise vintage tribute. As is customary of Glashütte the Caliber 100-14 has been finished to the highest standards featuring a Glashütte three-quarter plate, screw-mounted gold chatons, and a rotor with 21-carat gold oscillating weight and the gold-plated double-G mark.
A unique feature of the movement is the reset mechanism, which allows for easier synchronization of the second hand with the standard time. This function was critical for undertakings such as navigation, which require precise time setting and is made possible by the second hand not being coupled with the winding stem or crown. When the time is being set the second reset mechanism is activated by pushing a separate corrector allowing the wearer to set the time precisely down to the second.
No word on pricing yet but don’t expect it to be too outrageous – of course with only 25 pieces you will have to be quick!
The Final Word
When we want consistency, reliability and above all legibility we turn to Glashütte. Sure it’s not overtly flashy but that’s not really what you want from an ‘every-day’ watch. This is a piece that will sit nicely under a shirt cuff at the office during the week and then provide the perfect compliment to your formal attire at a fancy ball on the weekend, all without breaking a sweat. Plus it’s a Glashütte Original so you know it’s going to be well-made and you know it’s going to be with you for life. All in all, it’s definitely a timepiece worth your consideration.
For more information please visit the official Glashütte Original website: www.glashuette-original.com
Category: Basel World
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Tom is the founder and editor of The Watch Lounge. Together with his team he is dedicated to bringing you the best, original content you won't find anywhere else on the net.Subscribe
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