Glashütte Original Senator Moon Phase Skeletonized Edition

Glashütte Original released the Senator Moon Phase Skeletonized Edition, earlier this year. I would have expect a skeletonized version of an existing model, but no… Glashütte-Original choose for a skeletonized version of the 1845 Classic Up/Down with Moon Phase, originally introduced more than ten years ago.

The skeletonizing and engraving is very much different from the Pièce Unique that Kees Engelbarts recently showed us. Both in design and in the amount of work/time invested. This new Glashütte-Original is limited to 100 numbered pieces and is thus available for 99 more new owners, then the unique pieces by Kees Engelbarts or Grieb & Benzinger.

Although we haven’t received an official price quote, if’ve heard rumors of a price around 40k USD. Fact is, for that amount you’ll get an incredibly beautiful watch, from one of the best watch brands in the industry and with a skelletonized hand engraved movement.

The galvanized silver dial is for a large part cut away, so the skeletonized engraved movement can be admired. The chapter rings around the moon phase, the seconds hand and the power reserve indicator are still connected to the outer chapter ring, which shows roman numerals and a rail minute track.

The time is indicated by blued steel hands for the hours, minutes and small seconds. Also the indicator for the 40-hours of power reserve, positioned at 2 o’clock, is made of blued steel. The blued steel hands perfectly match with the dark blue moon phase disk, with gold stars and moon that perfectly match with the movement’s gears.

The Senator Moon Phase Skeletonized Edition exhibits the precisely executed skeletonization of the manually wound manufacture Caliber 49-13 to the connoisseur’s admiring eye. The impressive work of art is protected on dial side by a sapphire crystal, with antireflective coating on both sides, and by an antireflective sapphire crystal fitted to the case back.

Just have a look at one of those lovely details, like the winding wheels with double-sunburst decoration, screw-mounted gold chatons with blued steel screws, hand-engraved plates and balance cock.

Every single movement bears a limited edition number (e.g. 001/100) that coincides with the number engraved on the case. Worldwide the Glashütte Original Senator Moon Phase Skeletonized Edition is limited to 100 pieces. Of course it comes on a Louisiana alligator strap, matte black in color, with 18 carat red gold folding clasp.

Some specifications:

• Case: 18 carat red gold, 42 mm in diameter, 11.2 mm in height
• Caliber: manually wound in-house caliber 49-13, screw balance
• Power reserve: 40 hours
• Escapement with screw balance, frequency is 4Hz (28,800 vph)
• Jewels: 35 jewels (including 5 in screwed gold chatons)

For more information and availability, please visit the Glashütte Original website here.

This article is written by Frank Geelen, executive editor for Monochrome Watches.