From the tiniest screw to the most complicated movement, timepieces from Glashütte Original leverage maximum production depth and are made largely by hand. From initial product planning to traditional final assembly, we make watches of the highest German quality.

Every single component of a movement requires the use of very particular tools. The toolmakers in our manufactory satisfy this requirement, always placing great importance on maximum precision and state-of-the-art technology.

With passionate commitment and great dexterity, the many filigreed components of each watch movement are enhanced with decorative finishes. Whether meticulous bevelling, elaborate galvanisation, brilliant polishing or traditional grinding techniques: every element, no matter how small, is individually finished with exceptional creative skill.

Even for a relatively uncomplicated movement from Glashütte Original the watchmaker needs several hours to assemble and regulate it. More complex and ambitious movements equipped with impressive complications – such as the Senator Cosmopolite or the PanoLunarTourbillon – demand the dedicated attention of a master watchmaker for up to twenty working days.

As soon as the timepiece has taken its final form, it must undergo a rigorous examination: the final inspection. Only when optimal precision and quality have been confirmed can the new watch make its way into the world.

The art of German engineering is the epitome of excellent quality all over the world. As a result, timepieces from Glashütte Original bear their “Made in Germany” seal of origin with pride and embody maximum precision, reliability and durability.

Innovative constructions, the use of state-of-the-art technology and fresh, clear design characterise the timepieces from Glashütte Original. Young watchmakers learn their trade here from experienced colleagues. Together they leverage expert knowledge, creativity and passionate dedication to make sure the Glashütte art of watchmaking never comes to rest and always moves forward.

The concept of originality is part of our brand identity. It stands for authenticity and genuineness, but also for creativity and a wealth of ideas. Glashütte Original is thus doubly bound to honour its name: Thanks to optimal depth of production, almost every component of a movement is made and artfully perfected in-house.

The Glashütte art of watchmaking can look back on a long and eventful history of more than 175 years. The traditions and diverse experiences from the past are alive and well at Glashütte Original today. Sustaining its significant legacy serves the brand as a foundation to give shape to the art of watchmaking tomorrow.

Every one of our timepieces is exclusive and exceptional, whether it is a limited edition or not. Each year we make no more than a few hundred of any given model, even our bestsellers. Watches from Glashütte Original are exquisite masterpieces that, without appearing too conspicuous, discreetly underscore the wearer’s personality.

Beauty – inner as well as outer – is a basic principle at Glashütte Original. Whether a matter of harmonious overall design, elaborately polished movement components, artistic engravings or the delicate shimmer of a dial – the search for absolute perfection and beauty is reflected in each and every watch.

Unlike the Swiss watchmakers, the wheel bridge used in Glashütte watchmaking since 1864 covers three-quarters of the movement’s surface. It houses all the movable parts, from the spring barrel to the escape wheel. This ensures a much more stable construction of the movement.

The balance is part of the oscillation system, comprised of the balance wheel, balance shaft, double roll with plateau and balance spring. With its oscillations and in combination with the escapement system (anchor, escape wheel) it regulates the rate of the watch as well as the operation of the gear train. The balance wheel is set with tiny screws, which serve different functions depending on the regulation system. This complex and decorative construction is a characteristic feature of the fine art of watchmaking and evokes the constant striving of Glashütte’s watchmakers to achieve exceptional precision.

The swan-neck fine adjustment has been a typical feature of Glashütte watch construction since 1888: To regulate the watch, one turns an adjustment screw on the swan-neck spring. It influences the balance spring by means of the regulator. Changing the position of the regulator changes the effective length of the spring, and thus regulates the rate of the watch.

Characteristic elements down to the smallest detail: each of the hand-engraved cocks and balance bridges are unique. This comprises engraving a design onto a minute space without the use of a pre-stenciled pattern. The balance cocks and bridges may be decorated only to the extent that the engraving does not interfere with their function.This results in authentic, one-of-a-kind works of art.

This refined, regular decorative finish has been a characteristic feature of the art of watchmaking in Glashütte from the beginning and is applied with great care to the gear train bridges, the winding rotor and selected balance cocks. Its extremely precise parallel stripes confer a sophisticated finish and optical depth.

Perlage is a typical Glashütte surface decoration of the base plate. It consists of overlapping, pearl-shaped circles that are made by a rotating rubber peg covered with a special diamond powder that is applied to the surface by hand. This gives the movement an unmistakable „pearl“ structure.

The Glashütte sunburst decoration dates back to 1868 and embellishes round and flat components that rotate while performing (ratchet wheel). Subject to the angle at which light falls on the gears, it is reflected in circular patterns, which can have a strong, even hypnotic effect.

On some movements in the prestige watch segment, pivot bearings, or jewels, are set in so-called gold chatons. The chaton is a bed made of 18-karat gold that is placed into special drillings in the wheel bridge and secured with two or three blued screws. Each chaton is fitted in height to its mounted position.

Tiny steel screws mirror-polished by hand turn their colour from grey to yellow, brown, red, and violet tones when heated (tempered) and achieve the desired, permanent deep blue colour at about 290°C. Beside a beautiful deep blue colour, the screw receives a protection against corrosion by polishing.

Traditional horological process where the edges of processed metal surfaces are manually bevelled to an angle of 45°. The bevelled edges must exhibit a constant width and maintain its angle. This process creates decorative, shiny edges, but also a more resistant material by densifying the surface.

As soon as the design and the material for a future dial have been defined, a team comprised of dial experts and goldsmiths begins manufacturing the dial blanks.

As soon as the dial blank has been produced and the initial milling and drilling completed, the feet are attached to the dial, so that it can be positioned properly on the movement. The surface is then ground and polished.

Depending on the watch design, the dials are given their “face”. With galvanisation, metallic material is applied evenly by means of electrolysis. During the process of lacquering, a coloured coating is sprayed evenly over the surface by hand and then dried in a kiln.

One of the last steps in the process is printing. The so-called pad-printing method makes use of a silicone balloon to pick up ink, which is then pressed onto the dial as if from a stamp.

Most of the work involved in making a dial is performed by hand, whether it is the careful setting of precious stones, the application of Super-LumiNova or the mounting of appliques.

Before a dial is completed, it must pass numerous tests for quality, including a careful review of technical data along with an aesthetic inspection of polished and ground surfaces.