As its latest new release of 2023, Glashütte Original has created a new white-gold version of its Senator Chronometer watch. While the German brand previously offered the Senator Chronometer in both white and red gold, this latest addition to the collection swaps out the blue dial of the existing white gold model for a silver dial that has contrasting dark blue accents. At first glance, it may appear that the new Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer is just a dial variation of a watch that was already available in the brand’s current lineup; however, this latest model also features a number of subtle updates to its case, along with different finishing on its movement, and the end result is a more refined timepiece that is arguably the best-looking version of the Senator Chronometer that Glashütte Original has put forward yet.
The case of the new Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer (ref. 1-58-08-01-04-61) offers a similar overall profile to the existing white gold model, although it is now over a millimeter thinner and measures 42mm in diameter by 11.4mm thick, with 21mm lugs and overall lug-to-lug profile of 48.4mm. Hand-finished with brushed and polished surfaces, the top of the case is fitted with a sapphire crystal, and this now gets surrounded by a thin fixed bezel that has a smooth top surface with a subtle knurled texture along its outer rim. Just like before, access to the movement is granted by a signed winding crown and a small push-piece that sits flush against the case below it, while the reverse side of the watch receives a display-style caseback that is secured by five small screws to help support its 50 meters of water resistance.
The dial of the new Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer follows the same core design and layout as its siblings, with two centrally-mounted hands for displaying the hours and minutes, a large running seconds subdial located at 6 o’clock, and Glashütte Original’s signature “Panorama Date” at 3 o’clock, which displays its value with two calendar discs through the window in the dial. The other sub-dial located on the upper half of the dial tracks the power reserve for the movement, and it also includes a day/night indicator that appears as a small circle that changes color from light to dark to correspond with AM versus PM hours.
The silver dial is arguably the single most noteworthy feature of this new model, and it is silver-plated by friction in a process where a mixture of fine silver powder, salt, and water is rubbed into the surface by hand to create a fine shimmering texture. From there, the dial is then given a galvanic gray coating, before being finished off with dark blue printing for its various text and scales. Additionally, unlike the other two models from the Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer collection that have their Roman numeral hour markers printed on their dials, this latest variant features applied Roman numeral indexes that are crafted from 18k gold and given a metallic blue finish to compliment the blued hands and blue printing that punctuates the rest of its display.
Powering this new silver and blue version of the Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer is the manufacture Caliber 58-08 manual-wind movement, which offers slightly more involved finishing compared to the caliber found inside its two siblings. Running at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve listed at the rather precise on-paper value of 44 hours and 40 minutes, the Cal. 58-08 also features a convenient setting mechanism, where the seconds hand not only stops when the crown is pulled out, but it also resets to zero so that you do not need to wait for it to it complete its rotation around the dial in order to properly line up the minute and seconds hands. Similarly, when setting the time, the minute hand changes values with an audible haptic click to help ensure perfect alignment.
Just like the movements fitted to its two siblings from the Senator Chronometer collection, the Glashütte Original Cal. 58-08 is an officially certified chronometer that undergoes a 15-day test conducted by the independent Thuringian Office of Weights and Measures. Featuring blued screws, screw-mounted chatons, and a hand-engraved balance cock, the Caliber 58-08 also includes components that are silver-plated using the same friction-based process that is applied to the dial, and this creates a highly cohesive aesthetic between the front and back of the watch. Additionally, similar to the existing white gold version of the Senator Chronometer, this latest rendition also receives a strap made from blue Louisiana Alligator leather, and it gets completed by a signed deployant-style clasp.
In my opinion, this new silver and blue version of the Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer is easily the best looking among the trio that is currently available, and its thinner case profile promises an improved on-wrist experience. The combination of silver and blue results in a versatile and cohesive colorway, and the applied Roman numeral hour markers give this iteration a more dynamic and intricate overall appearance. However, with an official retail price of $32,300 USD, this new silver dial variant costs nearly five grand more than its white gold sibling and over six grand more than the red gold version. While the applied hour markers are made from 18k gold and a number of components feature slightly more elaborate finishing, the additional premium for this silver and blue model is roughly equal to the price of an entry-level Rolex, which undeniably feels a little bit high, even when you factor in its hand-finishing and more refined case profile. For more information on the Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer collection, please visit the brand’s website.
