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.

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.