Following the inaugural presentation of the Sixties Iconic Collection in 2015, Glashütte Original takes its tribute to iconic ’60s design to a new level with these five models featuring exceptional coloured dials crafted in Glashütte Original’s own dial manufactory in Pforzheim, Germany. Made using original tools and authentic methods from the 1960s, they are the result of an extremely complex and time-consuming process.
The 1960s made their mark with inspirational design in watchmaking, furniture, fashion and beyond, with geometric forms and innovative, colourful visuals. In in the mid-sixties, Glashütte’s watchmakers launched the Spezimatic in a series of versions destined to become lasting icons of style. Popular design elements of the time – the square cushion shape, domed dials, curved hands, idiosyncratic Arabic numerals – inspired the Sixties Iconic Square Collection. Five stunning colours give the models their names: Sixties Iconic Forest, Sixties Iconic Ocean, Sixties Iconic Graphite, Sixties Iconic Tangerine and Sixties Iconic Fire.
Glashütte Original’s expert dialmakers pay obsessive attention to each of the labour intensive steps, in particular to the application of coloured lacquers to achieve the precise hues and shading, from light centres to dark perimeters, known as the “dégradé effect” – a lavish finish found on all of the five pieces.
To begin with, the dials are given a galvanic base coat; layers of coloured lacquer are then added by hand in a series of subsequent steps. In a final step, black lacquer is applied to this ‘‘canvas’’ using a special spray gun – this technique produces, depending on the angle at which the gun is held, an individual colour gradient, known as the dégradé effect, which renders each watch unique. The unusual colour of the Tangerine dial results from an additional lacquer colour: the initial galvanic coating in gold is not only combined with a layer of black, but also red lacquer.
The lacquered dials are then fired in an oven to burn in the colours. With four of the five models in the Sixties Iconic Square Collection these uniquely shaded hues are combined with a refined sunburst finish, which enhances the dégradé effect. The fifth model, the Sixties Iconic Graphite, features an elaborate imprint instead – achieved in a particularly interesting manner: prior to galvanic nickel plating the dial blank is imprinted, with the help of a 60-tonne press, with the intricate filigree pattern of a guilloche stamp.
The five models in the Sixties Iconic Square Collection feature the distinctive square cushion shaped stainless steel case, measuring 41.35 x 41.35 mm, and the manufactory automatic Calibre 39-34 chronograph. All are fitted with a matching Louisiana Alligator leather strap. Production of the five models in the Sixties Iconic Square Collection is limited to 25 pieces each, available in Glashütte Original Boutiques and selected retailers worldwide.
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