Glashütte Original

MTF
[PuristS]
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On Glashutte Original, Projectiles and Speed at London City Concours 2017

On the 8th - 9th June 2017, Glashuette Original CEO Thomas Meier partnered and hosted motoring and watch enthusiasts at the Honourable Artillery Company on its 5-acre garden in the centre of London.

Honourable Artillery Company Grounds

This surprising green oasis surrounded by high rise buildings of the City is also one of the secret training grounds of the English Test Cricket Team.

Glashuette Original CEO Thomas Meier

The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) can trace its history back to 1087 A.D., but was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII and is considered one of the oldest military organisations in the world. Then, the ancient word "artillery" did not have the same meaning as used today. They were authorised to establish a perpetual corporation for the defence of the realm to be known as the Fraternity or Guild of Artillery of Longbows, Crossbows and Handgonnes.  Artillery meant any projectile and the modern equivalent would be "Honourable Military Company". Today it is a registered charity whose purpose is to attend to the "better defence of the realm", this purpose is primarily achieved by the support of the HAC Regiment and a detachment of Special Constabulary to the City of London Police. Members played a significant role forming both the 17th century Royal Marines and the Grenadier Guards. More recently, regiments, battalions and batteries of the Company fought in both World Wars and its current Regiment, as part of the Army Reserve, is the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army. Members of the Regiment and Specials are drawn mainly from young men and women working in and around the City and Greater London. Those leaving the active units may become Veteran Members and remain within the fraternity of the Company.

GO Singapore 40th Anniversary Meissen Dial

That explains why this Glashutte Original watch, Singapore 40th Anniversary Meissen Dial Limited Edition rode on a speeding locomotive to the Big Smoke of London.

It also hitched a ride in a London Black Cab.

GO Singapore 40th Anniversary Meissen Dial

Jessica Tautt shows movements to guests

Watchmaker Jessica Tautt presented a small selection of movements to interested guests.

There were cars, bikes and watches galore.

More than 70 Concours vintage cars were on show covering thema such as Pioneering Spirit, The Joy of the Road, The Swinging Sixties, Built for Speed, Evolution of the Supercar, The American Muscle Collector, Modern Bespoke and the History of the Superbike.

Additionally, there were more modern supercars on offer from luxury vendors, auction houses and bespoke makers such as Atlanta, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti, Maserati and Jaguar, but I didn't try to count them!.

Glashutte and Breguet represented the watchmakers and Taittinger champagne flowed freely....





GO 60s and 70s




GO Senator line




GO Ladies




GO Pano-line




1960 Ferrari 250GT Pininfarina coupe




2010 Bugatti Veyron




1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale




1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale




1956 Jaguar D Type Long Nose




1903 Daimler 14 HP Tonneau Tourer




1928 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport.




1978 Rickman Kawasaki



WATCHES






GO Senator Chronograph PanoramaDatum

This was a modern twist from usually staid Glashutte Original.

The Senator line evokes caricatures of middle-aged businessmen or politicians and power brokers but the blue SuperLuminova that actually glows blue lightens it up metaphorically and actually.

The chronograph pusher was not as smooth with a crisp break as I remember on my original GO Panograph from 2003. There was 2 mm free play in the pusher before any resistance was felt and the break point was hard and unpredictable. It is, however, very reasonably priced and should be a good entry level for watch lovers searching for their first "Manufacture" chronograph.

GO Senator Chronograph PanoramaDatum

Sensing my disappointment, the clever GO personnel brought out the most recent incarnation of the Panograph that had been out of production for some years.

Now, this was a different proposition for chronograph collectors like me. The pushes were silky smooth with predictable and crisp break point. A different feeling from the buttery-smooth action of the 'Datograph' by their neighbouring competitors in Glashutte that I also have.

I'm not ranking the action as every chronograph is different even within one Manufacture. That is the wonder and joy of collecting chronographs. Real watchmakers will admit privately that the adjustment of chronographs is more difficult to be consistent than adjusting perpetual calendars and other "complicated" watches. It is like wine; every one is different and even the taster/tester may oscillate between different examples depending on how he feels on the day.




GO PanoGraph




GO PanoGraph

The good news is that this example of GO chronograph restored my belief in their prowess but at a higher price point, of course

They even claimed that the next level up of chronograph movement is even better........

Regard,

MTF