For a long time I have been looking to buy a nice and simple dress watch. Glashutte is a brand that has really grown on me since joining Timezone a few years ago. When I saw the Senator Sixties for sale on Watchmarks website I knew I had to give it a go. So, here is the review of my Glashutte Senator Sixties.
History
Glashutte has a history of making timepieces that stretches back over 150 years. The company became privatised in 1994 taking on the name of Glashutte Original. (Glashutte is a small town in Germany that means tin/silver mine.) The company now comes under the umbrella of ownership which incorporates A. Lange & Sohne
During World War II Glashutte was responsible for making watches for the Navy and Air Force of Germany.
The Senator Sixties is based on its predecessor; the Glashutte Spezimatic which was developed in the 1960’s (pictured below)
The Sixties – Background Information
The new Senator Sixties was released at Basel in 2007 with a price tag of US$5600.
The Sixties currently comes in four main different dial variations (there is also a blue handed version with white gold case which is rare);
Vital Stats
Case Diameter –39mm
Case Height – 9.4mm
Strap – Louisiana Alligator Leather
Crystal – Domed Sapphire Crystal
Movement – Calibre 39 Automatic
The Sixties – Accuracy to the Genuine
Front
The first thing to note about the replica is that it measures in at 42mm instead of 39mm. Although it is bigger than the genuine, it doesn’t lose any elegance and doesn’t wear very large.
The hands are well replicated, but the yellow highlighted area shows the hour hand is a touch too long on the replica, and the blue area shows that the hands are slightly too thin.
The red areas show that the replica’s lume dots are bordered by a black outline, whereas the genuine has no border.
Generally though, the replication is very good. The dial even has the textured effect as found on the genuine (similar to the ardoise dial on the white gold IWC Portuguese)
Back
Considering that the replica movement is a cheap asian workhorse, the movement itself looks very nice, however, the disparities are vast;
Firstly, the rotor has been removed making it a hand wind only, whereas the genuine uses an automatic movement.
On the genuine, the see through case back covers the movement and the retaining ring that surrounds the movement. With the replica, the retaining ring takes the form of a bezel on the outside, as depicted by the yellow area.
The red area shows that the engraving on the genuine is thicker and of a much better quality.
Genuine Movement Video
[youtube]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DxNgAXDDTgo[/youtube]
Conclusion of flaws
Conclusion of flaws on front
Hands too wide
Hour hands too long
Incorrect black border on lume dots
Conclusion of flaws on rear
Engraving too thin
Caseback structure is incorrect
Movement looks completely different (but nicely finished)
Final Thoughts
The genuine
Having never seen the real thing, I cannot comment too much in this area of the review.
From the pictures I have seen of the genuine, it looks to by typical of Glashutte. A watch that gives you A. Langhe and Sohne quality for IWC money.
The Replica
You may have come to this part of the review thinking that this replication is a shambles. However, the flaws listed above are miniscule, they are not noticeable unless
1) You have the genuine next to it (unlikely) or
2) You have a hi-res picture of the gen in you pocket (obsessive
).Overall this watch is a fine replication, and the build quality cannot be beaten for US$118. It definitely has the feel of a top quality watch. If you want to get a cheap dress watch then this is the watch for you!
Again, I would like to thank Watchmark for the excellent service. Communication was great throughout and he was continually helpful in answering my questions – always within time periods that were astounding!!!
Closing Pictures
