Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second Watch Review
The Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second unites retro influences with up-to-the-minute know-how. Beautifully expressing meaning in clear tones and with an abundance of style, this product of Saxony comes dressed in a suit of luxury materials. US-based Meehna Goldsmith plays The Doors and returns to the Sixties, an era that has clearly inspired the German marque.
The memorable 60s
Who can forget the 60s? Even if you didn’t live through them. They were that memorable. It was the time of the Go Go Girl, when white boots went high, and the skirts were short and fringed. The Doors and Janis Joplin played at The Whisky, Timothy Leary tripped out on LSD, while Andy Warhol and Peter Blake defined a groovy new pop art movement.
Glashütte Original Vintage Collection
From this creative brew, Glashütte Original found inspiration for its Vintage Collection, which includes the Sixties models. Classic and modern, but with a hint of rebelliousness, the Sixties watches capture the experimental flavour of the times. The models come in a variety of styles, from time only and chronograph, to those with a Panorama date. All feature stylised Arabic numerals with playful, rounded flourishes – a departure from the traditional that adds some flair in its nod to the 1960s.
Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second – a new addition to the range
The most recent newcomer to the Sixties family is the Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second. Its closest relative is the Annual Edition, but the small seconds indicator at 6 o’clock isn’t an afterthought or cosmetic adjustment. Although at first blush the Small Second and Annual Edition look eerily similar, the distinctions become apparent in the details.
Obvious differences include the case metal and size and the dial colour. The Annual Edition features a 39mm stainless steel case with a crisp, icy blue dial, while the Small Second comes in a 42mm rose gold case with a white dial. However, the changes are instrumental to the overall balance and design.
Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second – 42 mm case
A product of Saxony, the Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second is crafted with a case enlarged by 3 mm in order to focus attention on the large, recessed seconds indicator located at 6 o’clock, which is decorated with what the brand calls a ‘fine vinyl-type finish’. Every tick of the seconds hand, positioned above hashed markers, counts off each minute. Those minutes accrue to make up the hours and days of our existence. Once the time is gone, it’s irretrievable. In a world of fast-paced information overload, it’s easy to skip over or miss something meaningful. The Sixties Small Seconds reminds us to take a breath and savour the moments.
In-house dial, made in Pforzheim
The white dial is composed of brass, galvanised with silver and shimmers courtesy of its fine matt opaline surface. Through the domed sapphire crystal with its anti-reflective coating, rose gold hands and rose gold milled hour markers come into view, matching the case and vibe of the stylised Arabic numerals. Look closely and you’ll see the light curve of the dial and hands echoes the shape of the crystal.
Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second – Calibre 39-60
Equipped with Calibre 39-60, the Small Second promises precision timekeeping. Crafted in the epicentre of German watchmaking, the model boasts an impressive quotient of in-house content. Indeed, the brand states that 95% of the movement is made at Glashütte Original’s Manufactory. Flip over the watch and you’ll have a view of the brand’s finishing techniques, including Glashütte stripes, bevelled edges and polished screws. Even the rotor gets the salon treatment, it’s skeletonised and features the company’s signature double-G logo.
Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second – closing thoughts
The Sixties Small Seconds wraps around the wrist with a matt green Louisiana alligator leather strap reflecting the colourful 1960s era. With the rose gold pin buckle securing the strap, the vision is complete. While this watch certainly is contemporary and sophisticated, it has a bit of rock-n-roll about it too. I can imagine it on Jim Morrison’s wrist just as easily as Janis Joplin’s or Timothy Leary’s. Now, what about yours?
Further reading
https://www.glashuette-original.com/
Technical specifications
- Model: Glashütte Original Sixties Small Second
- Reference: 1-39-60-01-01-04
- Case: rose gold, diameter 42 mm, height 12.4 mm, water resistance 3 ATM (30 m), sapphire crystal to the front and exhibition case back.
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
- Movement: Calibre 39-60, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 30 jewels, power reserve 40 hours ± 5%
- Strap: matt green Louisiana alligator leather with rose gold pin buckle
- Price: £15,000 (RRP as of 1.7.2023)