Hands-On With The Glashütte Original PanoMaticCalendar Platinum
Today, we’ll go hands-on with the limited-edition Glashütte Original PanoMaticCalendar Platinum. It’s a lesson in how a watch’s appearance can change drastically with a different dial and color scheme. As the name suggests, the watch is also crafted from one of my favorite stealthy precious metals.
It’s hard not to enjoy Glashütte Original’s watches. After all, they exhibit fine finishing and always display traits from the region. Yes, most of the pieces are on the larger side, but that’s desirable for a large part of the watch-consuming population. With the new PanoMaticCalendar Platinum, the watch blends two of my favorite hues with a skeletonized dial and legible complications. Shall we have a closer look?
The Glashütte Original PanoMaticCalendar Platinum
It’s hard to believe that I last reviewed this watch’s sibling back in 2024. I say that because the watch was far more traditional with an 18K red gold case and opaline silver dial. It was a lovely piece and possibly what we’d expect from a brand like Glashütte Original. This makes today’s piece positively surprising. Essentially, it’s the same watch, but few would realize that without closer inspection.
The PanoMaticCalendar Platinum has a 42mm case with a 49.4mm lug-to-lug and a 12.4mm thickness. This case is platinum and features sapphire crystals on both sides. Like the gold model, this piece also has a 50m water resistance rating. Then again, with a dark blue Louisiana alligator strap and platinum folding clasp, it’s probably best to keep this watch on the surface.
A great example of an attractive skeletonized dial
The PanoMaticCalendar Platinum has a matte dark blue open-worked brass dial with a mix of smooth and concentrically engraved surfaces. The alternating finishes make the dial feel substantial despite the relatively large skeletonized areas. Regarding the transparent sections, the Glashütte striping looks fantastic against the blue dial and blue panorama-date wheels.
Other additions include solid white gold applied indexes, blued steel hands, and white Super-LumiNova on the primary hands and dial. Regarding the functionality, a sub-dial for hours and minutes is the largest display, with a smaller one for the running seconds intersecting it. Next to that is the aforementioned panorama-date indicator, while a blue arc displaying the month number in white inhabits the dial’s outermost concentrically engraved section. Finally, a matching blue and white moonphase indicator resides on the upper right of the dial. Yes, there is a lot of information, but it’s nicely laid out.
Powered by the in-house automatic caliber 92-11
The PanoMaticCalendar Platinum uses the self-winding caliber 92-11, a movement made within the brand’s manufacture. It has a different numerical reference than the rose gold model’s 92-09, which I presume relates to enhanced top-plate finishing. Functionally, it’s a powerhouse with 100 hours of power reserve and a frequency of 28,800vph. It’s also adjusted to six positions and houses an antimagnetic silicon balance spring.
As a high-end watch from Glashütte, the movement contains the expected ensemble of finishing treatments. This includes more striping, anglage, and rhodium plating. Naturally, the double-gooseneck regulator shows fine engraving, a hallmark of the region. Then, the skeletonized “double-G” rotor has a 21K gold weight.
In terms of operation, the movement only requires adjustment on March 1st due to February’s goofiness. A small corrector button is located on the case flank at approximately 2 o’clock. Otherwise, the crown winds the movement when fully depressed against the case. When the crown is pulled out one stop, it can be turned counterclockwise to adjust the date and clockwise for the month. The second stop hacks the balance and allows adjustment of the hour and minute hands.
The PanoMaticCalendar Platinum on the wrist
With its sizeable dimensions, this Glashütte Original has an undeniable presence on the wrist. However, because it is paired with such a classy alligator strap, it’s the kind of watch that can work at the dressiest of affairs. Of course, it would also be at home with a pair of jeans and a shirt or sweater. From my perspective, it appears to be a watch that would work perfectly at an elegant Christmas or New Year’s party. Simply put, it’s a beautiful, refined watch and, oddly, one I enjoy more than the closed-dial version.
Pricing and availability
The Glashütte Original PanoMaticCalendar Platinum was released during the late summer and went on sale at the beginning of autumn. Yet, I think that the colors are even more suitable for winter. The watch is limited to 150 pieces, and each is individually numbered on the platinum and sapphire case back. Pricing is set at €44,000 / US$43,800 / £36,900, which is certainly not expensive, but it’s not unexpected for a complicated platinum dress watch. I think it’s a lovely addition to the lineup and worth seeing if this type of watch is of interest. Let us know your thoughts and if you like it as much or more than the closed-dial versions.
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