Glashütte Original

Hello All,

I am brand new to this forum and also to GO watches. I'm somewhat new to higher end watches, in fact, but have purchased an Omega Bond diver and Planet Ocean over the last couple years . Recently I wandered into an AD in Wetzlar, Germany, however, and fell in love with the GO Navigator ND, but couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on a new one. I have a few questions:

There seem to be two versions around, a SS display back and a crystal back. (100-09-07-05-04 and 100-09-07-04-04, respectively) Are both still in production? They seem to be hard to come across, new or used.

Is the cal 100 the only movement in these watches or are there some out there with the cal 39?

I guess this is a no brainer, as it is always better to buy something with a warranty, but should I be nervous about buying a Navigator out of warranty?

Is the warranty two years?

I tend to want the steel back as it's more authentic, but may have a line on a deal for a crystal back. Are there advantages to one over the other? Disadvantages?

Finally, how often do these watches need service?

Lots of questions, I know, but your help is very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance---I purchased the GO DVD from someone on another list and they are VERY impressive watches!

Cheers,

Craig

Yes, there are two versions.  Initially, the watch was produced with a solid back.  However, collector demand was for a display back and the good folks at GO changed the production.  Now the watch is only produced with a display back.  The company gave people who had purchased a solid back version the option to upgrade to a display back.  Depending on what they wanted to spend, they could either keep the solid back or not.  That offer expired the end of last year, but I have heard of at least one case where they did the upgrade this year.  It can't hurt to ask if you want both backs or to upgrade to the display back.

GO is a relatively small company.  The big mass-producers like Rolex will make more watches in a week than GO does all year.  As a result, they may seem hard to find.

The 44mm Senator Navigator has the Cal. 100 movement.  Not sure about the chronograph version - that may be a Cal.39 - check the GO website to make sure.  The no date version, the panorama date version, and the perpetual calendar have only had the Cal. 100.  There was a now discontinued 39mm Senator Navigator that was made using the Cal. 39.

I'm pretty sure the warranty is two years.  Check the GO website to confirm.  And, it's worth a look in any event - lots of good stuff there.  You can ask them for a free DVD that is really great.  Or a free catalog which has great information about the history of the manufacture along with details on their products.

There isn't any big advantage to either version.  The solid back version is more authentic.  There may be a slight increased risk of magnetization with the display back.  Otherwise they are identical.  The movement is finished to the same standards in both.  And it is nice to look at.

As with any mechanical watch, the service interval is 3 - 5 years.  Longer if it's not worn much.  Many will only service a watch that is starting to lose time.

I've owned the non-date version and now have the Perpetual Calendar version.  It's a great watch - you'll enjoy it if you get one!

Bill

. . . as your moderator was out and about today on a mission with two colleagues . . . much appreciated! Grazi, Art

Which offers a clean look, and 2 case Backs:





I'm so in love with this watch that I even consider adding the normal ND version...

Best, and Welcome to our new friend, here!

Nicolas

Now that's VERY cool! What is the exact name of that particular watch and what is it's reference number? I'm guessing that was the early version Navigator, cal 39?

It's beautiful, whatever it is, as is the very stylish case.

Craig

Cal 100 inside, and it was a LE launched at the end of 2007.

LE of 100 pieces, for the Asian market, but thanks to some good guys here, I could track one.

Best, and once again, Welcome here.

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-03-16 23:54:37

Thanks for the clarification, Nicolas.

Anyone have any idea which Navigator ND would be more sought after by collectors--the SS back or the display back? I'm trying to decide which to buy and while I'm sure I'll love either version, I'd like to get the most generally desirable one in case I have to sell it down the line.

Cheers,

Craig

Historical consideration, or esthetical?

Choosing a watch depending on what the others will want if you have to re sell it is not a secure and good criteria, my friend.

Go where you heart tells you to go, this is the best.

Furthermore, the normal Senator Navigator, without date is not really a rare watch, so its collectibility is hazardous.

But the happyness it will give you is certain.

Best,

Nicolas

but I subsequently opted to have the caseback switched to sapphire display back (with a spare SS case-back) when that option was offered a while ago ...

The Rimowa edition is my favorite.
However, I have tried in vain to find one - I think they are sold out.  No sense mentioning something that can't be found.
I know how frustrating that is