The Glashütte Original 2023 PanoInverse Limited Edition brings an urban cityscape to the wrist
Borna BošnjakGlashütte Original’s offering mainly comes in two forms – rugged, but finely finished pieces like the SeaQ, and contemporary works of art in the likes of their Senator and Pano collections. Available in a limited edition of 50 pieces, the Glashütte Original PanoInverse Limited Edition follows the biennial release of this special edition, and falls among the latter. Its predecessors used the inverse movement three-quarter plate to display intricate engravings and delicate guilloché – both traditional watch finishing techniques. The 2023 edition takes a more contemporary approach, evoking an urban spirit via an engraved canvas of skyscrapers.
The idea of an urban cityscape is thoroughly explored, with overlapping buildings building up a complex grid from a birds-eye view. We find the traditional offset time and small seconds sub-dials on the left, and a power reserve indicator in the upper right corner. All the hands are black-polished – I’m especially fond of the three-dimensional look Glashütte has managed to give them. Another detail that should be mentioned are the two chaton-set jewels, secured by three blued screws each just above the dial. We cannot avoid mentioning the double swan-neck regulated balance wheel either, suspended by a double balance bridge. To the right of it, there is no movement at all, giving you a view straight through the rear sapphire crystal which gives the watch a light, airy feel.
Cased in 42mm of highly polished platinum, the PanoInverse LE is a heavy-hitter, both figuratively and literally. The rich sheen of the metal stands out against the dial engravings, with its black reflections accompaying the black media-blasted subdials and black-polished movement elements. The watch is paired with a grey alligator nubuck leather strap mounted on a platinum double-folding buckle.
The back, or traditionally, front, of the movement is just as finely finished. Blued screws throughout along with some more gold chatons serve as flashes of colour against a monochromatic backdrop of a concrete jungle. The watches are all individually numbered, with the number engraved in the middle of the movement. Rather than just engraving the regular movement spec sheet on a small blank, Glashütte scatters the details around the dial, camouflaging them as billboards and signs – absolutely genius.
From a tech perspective, the movement beats at 4 Hz for up to 41 hours, with laser-engraved parts and black rhodium plating.
Glashütte Original PanoInverse Limited Edition pricing and availability:
The Glashütte Original PanoInverse Limited Edition for 2023 is available now, limited to 50 pieces. Price: A$70, 200
| Brand | Glashütte Original |
| Model | PanoInverse Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | 1-66-12-01-03-62 |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) |
| Case Material | Platinum |
| Dial | Anthracite grained lacquer on engraving |
| Crystal(s) | Anti-reflective sapphire front and sapphire back |
| Strap | Grey alligator with folding buckle in platinum |
| Movement | Calibre 66-12, manual winding, black rhodium plating |
| Power Reserve | 41 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve |
| Availability | Limited to 50 pieces |
| Price | A$70,200 |