Glashütte Original

Based in the Saxon town of Glashütte, Glashütte Original is a globally renowned brand synonymous with excellence and timeless elegance. As an authentic prestige manufacturer, it combines German watchmaking tradition with modern production methods under one roof. Each timepiece demonstrates exceptional manufacturing depth—up to 95% of components, including the intricately crafted dials, are produced in-house.

Glashütte Original timepieces are the result of top-tier German engineering and craftsmanship, blending technical sophistication, dependable precision, and functional design. Each model is a technically refined masterpiece appreciated around the globe. Some, like the SeaQ, are inspired by vintage Glashütte models, while others feature modern innovations. The Senator Chronograph, for example, offers a flyback function for quick reset and restart, while the PanoMaticLunar is highlighted by its artfully integrated moon phase. The “Sixties” and “Seventies” collections bring vintage aesthetics into the present, enhanced with signature features such as the panorama date. With the launch of the Serenade, Glashütte Original has also expanded its expertise to finely tuned timepieces for women.

Glashütte Original watches reflect their heritage, combining clean design with fine materials and advanced technology with everyday usability. The term manufacture not only denotes authentic craftsmanship—it also represents a brand capable of independently creating and producing its own calibers. Behind the glass walls of its Glashütte headquarters, the brand continually pushes the boundaries of modern watchmaking. Every detail reveals its origin: the classic design, sturdy construction, and traditional elements like the three-quarter plate or the screw balance with swan-neck fine adjustment—each meticulously crafted in-house.

In the mid-19th century, a unique success story began in a small valley in the Ore Mountains, just 30 kilometers from Dresden. Seeking new economic opportunities for the region, the Saxon government supported an ambitious initiative: the planned establishment of a watchmaking industry in the former mining town of Glashütte. On December 7, 1845, the first apprentices began their horological training—laying the foundation for a new era of timekeeping. 

The bold plan paid off. By the early 20th century, Glashütte watches had gained worldwide renown. Even as historical events struck the town hard and the remaining companies were merged into a state-owned entity in 1951, the industry’s flexibility, strength, innovation, and commitment to tradition ensured its survival and continued growth. 

Since 1994, Glashütte Original has carried this tradition forward as the successor to the former state-owned watchmaking companies after German reunification. A member of the Swatch Group since 2000, the brand has been able to expand its position in the international luxury market. Today, Glashütte Original stands for uncompromising quality and technological innovation, bringing German watchmaking into the future. 

The brand also remains dedicated to horological education: the Alfred Helwig School of Watchmaking, part of Glashütte Original, plays a vital role in passing this craft on to future generations. This investment in professional training is a key contribution to preserving this noble art.