Most watch enthusiasts are unlikely to want only one watch in his life. But always, there is a friend who simply wants only one sophisticated watch for business wear. This 2017 novelty from Glashütte Original may be the exacting product to qualify for the job.

For starters, it checks most boxes on the proverbial list. The Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar is a complicated manufacture timepiece with no small amount of pedigree. It has everything one could ask for, exempting an artistic dial and diamonds, but remember that we are talking about its quintessence here.

Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar

The dial layout is pragmatic, bordering on being strictly Teutonic if not for that moon phase display. Other indications are the day of the week, the leap year indicator, the month and the panorama date. For those who are not familiar with this particular German manufacture, the term panorama date refers to their big date design where the two digits are on the exact same plane. The only two numerals on the dial are at six and 12 and they are Roman. Clarity is ensured with anti-reflective coating on both sides of the sapphire crystal.

The Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar is a member of the fast-growing Senator Excellence family of watches – first introduced only last year. Those who know Glashütte Original will recognise this watch as the new reference replacing the current era of perpetual calendars at the brand. Purists may object to the styling of the leap year indicator here but it is certainly easier to read than the current version. Here, the fresh and technologically advanced Calibre 36 is put to good use again. This self-winding movement is known primarily for its 100-hour power reserve and skeletonised rotor with 21K gold weight. It benefits from the use of a silicon balance spring and swan neck fine adjustment regulator. All watches are tested for a period of 24 days, and delivered with an individual certificate.

Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar

At 42 mm in diameter and with a manageable height of 12.8 mm, the watch is proper enough for formal business wear, while not being too dressy for weekend wear with jeans. It comes in two materials, stainless steel and red gold. Both versions feature blued-steel hands on silver grained dials, and both are priced to compete. The stainless steel reference of this Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar costs slightly less than the Senator Excellence Panorama Date Moon Phase in red gold. Value has returned to high-end watchmaking, after all.

Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar Specifications

Movement Self-winding Calibre 36-02; 100-hour power reserve
Case 42 mm in red gold or stainless steel; water resistant to 50 m
Strap Louisiana alligator strap

This article was originally published in WOW.