Glashütte Original’s PanoLunar Tourbillon is more than a technical showcase; it’s a timepiece rooted in Saxon heritage and crafted from the earth it calls home. A perfect harmony of tradition, artistry, and innovation, it stands as a true statement piece in modern watchmaking.
This year celebrates Glashütte Original’s 180th anniversary, and to mark this momentous occasion, the brand has opened a new dial manufactory. This manufacturer is the only one of its kind in the Glasshutte region in Germany. Further celebrating the opening of this manufacture, alongside the brand’s 180th, Glashütte Original presents a new PanoLunar Tourbillon, a statement piece that showcases the brand’s devotion to craftsmanship and tradition.
The PanoLunar Tourbillon is a standout model from Glashütte Original’s Pano collection, known for its asymmetric dial design alongside precision German engineering. The PanoLunar Tourbillon was first introduced in 2013, and since then has seen several re-issues throughout the years, with updates ranging from new dial executions and case materials to hand-engraved limited editions in platinum. Each different iteration has kept the collection’s signature elements of the off-centre time display that’s paired with the flying tourbillon, the moon-phase complication and the Panorama (big) date, while elevating finishing, power reserve, and exclusivity to reflect the brand’s continued pursuit of excellence.
This latest update introduces a rose-coloured dial that recalls the reddish hues of iron in the earth surrounding the watchmaking town of Glashütte. Named “Eisenerz” (iron ore), the rose-coloured hue is a result of oxidation of high concentrations of iron in the soil, and is indicative of the region’s wealth of mineral resources. Long before watchmakers found a home in Germany, mining was one of the most important industries for hundreds of years. Glashütte Original states, “One finds the famous red stone around every bend along the Müglitz, which flows close by the manufactory. A few hundred meters downriver lies the newly opened Glashütte Original dial manufactory, rising from the same red earth.”
Case Design
The 40mm x 12.7mm PanoLunar Tourbillon case is presented in platinum, which perfectly complements the beautiful rose gold dial. The polished bezel and brushed case flanks create a subtle play of light, while the weight of the platinum case gives the watch a reassuring heft on the wrist. The curved profile of the lugs allows the case to sit comfortably on the wrist, while the 12.7mm thickness strikes a balance between presence and wearability.
Dial Design
Glashütte Original’s 180-year Saxon watchmaking history is showcased beautifully through the handcrafted dial on the PanoLunar Tourbillon. Produced in the new in-house dial workshop, the first of its kind in Glashütte, the dial shimmers with a stunning iron-ore hue. The crystalline surface of the dial has a lively play of red tones that shift with different lighting angles, while the finely milled vinyl finish of the off-centre time display gives a more calm visual aesthetic. The end result is a dial that blends artistry and technical refinement, with every detail reflecting the maison’s extensive experience with craftsmanship.
The harmonious, asymmetric arrangement follows the principles of the Golden Ratio, a hallmark of the Pano line. The four signature designs of the PanoLunar Tourbillon are the large off-centre time display, with the tourbillon sitting at the 6 o’clock position of this display, the moonphase indicator at 2 o’clock, and the large Panorama Date display. The small seconds of the time display are showcased through the tourbillon, which has a small seconds hand on its rotating cage, turning once per minute. The Panorama Date displays white numerals on a blue background across two perfectly aligned discs, while the curved moon phase at 2 o’clock depicts a silver-starred night sky.
Movement
Inside, the PanoLunar Tourbillon features Glashütte Original’s watchmaking traditions and innovation. The handcrafted automatic Calibre 93-03 movement boasts a silicon balance spring which remains unaffected by the magnetic fields of everyday life. The movement operates at a frequency of 3Hz (21,600 VpH), and is able to put out a power reserve of 60 hours. While much of the movement is covered, Glashütte Original didn’t hold back when it comes to the exemplary finishing. which includes Glashütte Original’s own take on the Geneva stripes decoration. Named the Glashütte stripe, it features deeper grooves, which makes the stripes more pronounced. Alongside the Glashütte stripe is perlage finishes and the off-centre 21-carat gold winding rotor, which has been skeletonised.
Initial Thoughts
The PanoLunar Tourbillon has always been a timepiece that highlights Glashütte Original’s watchmaking craftsmanship and artistry, but this latest 180th anniversary edition feels like something more: a statement piece that links the origins of Glashütte Original while also being a symbol of the future. The rose-hued “iron ore” is not just visually striking; it showcases the very roots of Glashütte Original’s watchmaking in Saxony, drawing on the region’s mining heritage.
The asymmetrical dial design with the off-centre time dial, the tourbillon, Panorama Date, and the moon phase complication highlights a timepiece that blends classical complications with unmistakable German design language. The Glashütte Original PanoLunar Tourbillon is a timepiece that commands respect, not just because of its technical mastery, but because it feels so authentically Glashütte. For collectors, it’s not just another anniversary model; it’s a celebration of Saxon craft at its most refined.
Specification: Glashütte Original PanoLunar Tourbillon (Ref. 1-93-03-01-03-61)
- Dimensions: 40mm x 12.7mm thick, 47mm lug-to-lug
- Case Material: Platinum case with brushed and polished surfaces
- Dial: Asymmetrical dial with galvanic rose “Iron ore” with finely grained surface, vinyl milling on off-centre dial; appliques: gold, coated in blue.
- Water Resistance: 50m (5 Bar)
- Movement: Automatic 93-03 Calibre
- Movement Power reserve: 60 hours operating at 3Hz (21,600 VpH)
- Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Bracelet/Strap: Blue alligator leather. Folding clasp in platinum. Second strap in blue synthetic fabric, with folding clasp in platinum.