Once again, the manufactory from the German watchmaking town of Glashütte presents the real thing – a genuine original in more ways than one. The new SeaQ Chronograph is the first diver’s watch from Glashütte Original to be equipped with a chronograph movement. The new model features a handmade automatic movement designed to accompany contemporary adventurers wherever they go – a challenge the designers at Glashütte Original took on with great sensitivity and creativity. The result? A modern mechanical movement full of originality.
The challenge
In developing the new chronograph, Glashütte Original based the design concept on four considerations: how can it be made as accurate, robust, easy to use and aesthetically pleasing as possible? For the new SeaQ Chronograph, the bar was set exceptionally high. The objective was to develop a flyback chronograph that handles short-term measurement reliably and to combine it with a watch that meets the rigorous requirements of the ISO and DIN standards for diver’s watches. The stakes could not be higher: to ensure that a handmade, finely crafted mechanism was ready – not just for everyday use, but for extreme conditions.
Short-term measurement meets diver’s watch
A diver’s life may well depend on their watch functioning properly. For this reason, the watches in the SeaQ family are subjected to rigorous testing to ensure they meet the ISO 6425 and DIN 8306 standards. They must withstand extreme temperature changes, resist saltwater corrosion, ensure optimal legibility in the dark and have a unidirectional rotating bezel with a scale allowing the diver to determine how much time remains for the dive. For the water resistance test, Glashütte Original exceeded the standard and tested the SeaQ up to a pressure of 30 bar (300 meters). The watchmaker also set its own high standards for the chronograph: the watch had to have a column wheel switch and a flyback mechanism. The designers took these and many other aspects into account as they developed the SeaQ Chronograph.
Under the loupe: a tiny turn for greater shock resistance
One of the requirements for diver’s watches: shock resistance from a height of one meter. Apparently straightforward, it’s a nightmare for everyone who owns a mechanical watch – in reality a situation one would avoid at all costs.
The watchmakers at Glashütte Original examined this aspect closely, using a special device under laboratory conditions. In particular, the key point – if the watch is dropped – is to ensure that the dial does not buckle or warp on impact, which could interfere with, or even block, the hands. As a result, the designers placed a hollow hexagonal socket screw, made of stainless steel, in the centre of the dial. It is placed from above over the hand shafts, thus fixing the dial to the plate before the hands are mounted. Thanks to this small but very effective construction detail, the dial remains securely in place, even in the event of a shock.
Under the loupe: even more space for rate precision
Both resistance and rate precision are of fundamental importance for the functional reliability of a mechanical watch. This also involves the effort to achieve optimally uniform – isochronous – oscillation of the balance, in every position and even while the chronograph is running. For this reason, Glashütte Original’s designers chose to intervene directly in the architecture of the SeaQ Chronograph movement. The balance was given more space, allowing it to oscillate unhindered and thus gain a few degrees of valuable amplitude. They created space to move freely – for the watch and the person wearing it.
Under the loupe: a versatile crown offers even greater ease of use
The SeaQ Chronograph’s short-term measurement is a world of its own. It features a flyback function, i.e. reset and restart of the stop hand on the fly, central stop-seconds, and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock; all are operated using the two pushers on the edge of the case. In addition, Glashütte Original’s signature Panorama Date is found just above 6 o’clock. All of these displays are easily set via the crown: in position 1, the automatic movement is wound, in position 2 the date can be corrected, and in position 3, the time can be set while the second stop is activated. This design made it possible to do without a separate date corrector on the side of the case, thus enhancing the water resistance of the watch.
A contemporary chronograph movement
The automatic movement Calibre 37-23 combines maximum resistance, precision and user-friendliness with a running time of over 70 hours. The silicon balance spring offers enhanced resistance to the influence of magnetic fields, for example, and thanks to its steady oscillation, greater rate precision. The entire movement is elaborately decorated by hand with great skill and sensitivity, and can be admired through its sapphire crystal case back – by no means a given with a diver’s watch.
A sporty and elegant companion for any and all adventures
The debut model of the SeaQ Chronograph is dressed in dark blue, from the handmade dial to the unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic inlay. The hour, minute and stop-seconds hands are coated with highly luminous Super-LumiNova®, as are the indexes and the triangle symbol on the bezel. The stainless steel case, 43.2 mm in diameter, is fitted front and back with sapphire crystals, and the fluted screw-down crown has a fine wave decoration. Four different straps are available: a dark blue rubber strap, a stainless steel link bracelet, and two synthetic fabric straps made from recycled fishnets, in grey or blue.
A special premiere
For the Glashütte Original team, the development of the new SeaQ Chronograph turned into a multi-year voyage of discovery. Now the watch is ready to accompany its owners from all over the world on their own uniquely individual adventures. The new SeaQ Chronograph is available as of October 2022 from all Glashütte Original Boutiques and selected retailers worldwide.
Proud to be the Original #PTBTO
Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph Technical Specifications
Reference numbers
- 1-37-23-02-81-33 (rubber strap)
- 1-37-23-02-81-34 (grey fabric strap)
- 1-37-23-02-81-36 (blue fabric strap)
- 1-37-23-02-81-70 (metal bracelet)
Movement
- Calibre 37-23, automatic winding, finely finished
- Functions: Hour, minute (central), small second, chronograph with flyback, stop seconds (central), 30-minute counter
- Special features: Tested using DIN 8306 and ISO 6425 for diver’s watches
- Frequency: 28,800 A/h, equivalent to 4 Hz
- Running time: 70 hours
Case & Dial
- Polished/satin-brushed stainless steel, rotating bezel withceramic inlay, engraved case back with sapphire crystal, water resistant to 30 bar
- Diameter: 43.2 mm
- Dial: PVD blue, rhodium-plated appliques with Super-LumiNova®
- Glass: Sapphire crystal, anti-reflective on both sides
Strap
- Blue rubber with pin buckle or folding clasp,
- grey synthetic fabric with pin buckle or folding clasp,
- blue synthetic fabric with pin buckle or folding clasp,
- stainless steel bracelet with fine adjustment mechanism
About Glashütte Original
Glashütte Original upholds the values of authentic manufactory production and can look back on an uninterrupted history that began in 1845. Located in the Saxon town of Glashütte, the manufactory brings traditional craftsmanship and innovative technologies together under one roof. The tradition-rich brand produces up to 95 percent of all movement components as well as the filigree dials in-house, and represents the German art of watchmaking at its best.