Glashütte Original Senator Meissen

In the world of fine German craftsmanship, few names carry the weight and history of Glashütte Original and the MEISSEN porcelain manufactory. Each stands as a titan in its respective domain — one mastering the intricate mechanics of time, the other perfecting the delicate art of porcelain. A long-standing friendship and mutual respect for heritage have culminated in a unique project: the Senator Meissen trio, a collection of three limited-edition timepieces that fuse horological precision with painterly poetry. These watches are a direct result of two masters of their trade joining forces, creating a canvas for tradition on the wrist.

The connection between these two Saxon institutions runs deep, rooted in a shared geography and a dedication to preserving generations of artisanal knowledge. Their hometowns have become bywords for exceptional quality and unwavering consistency. In 2025, Glashütte Original marks 180 years of watchmaking history in its namesake town, while MEISSEN, Europe’s pioneering porcelain manufactory, celebrates an astounding 315-year legacy. This partnership is therefore not a mere collaboration but a meeting of philosophies, where centuries of combined experience and design acumen are expressed in three distinct and remarkable watches.



At the heart of each Senator Meissen is a dial that is nothing short of a miniature masterpiece. Housed within a 40 mm red gold case, these hand-painted dials command immediate attention. The design philosophy is one of purist restraint; the hour and minute displays are intentionally minimal, featuring two gently curved red gold hands that sweep over the artwork without obscuring it. This approach allows the intricate decoration to be the undisputed focal point, turning the act of telling time into a moment of artistic appreciation.

The creation of these dials is a testament to immense skill and patience. The process begins with a razor-thin disc of porcelain, which is subjected to an initial firing in a kiln at a blistering 1,400° Celsius. Following this intense heat treatment, each disc undergoes a rigorous inspection to guarantee its quality and ensure a perfectly flat, flawless surface. Only the most pristine examples proceed to the next stage, where they become the canvas for the MEISSEN artists.

With the porcelain base prepared, the true artistry begins. Using incredibly fine brushes, trained painters apply the decoration, lettering, and Roman numerals by hand. This is not a single-step process. The design is built up in several layers, with each individual layer requiring its own separate firing at 900°C. This painstaking, repetitive firing is essential to achieve the desired depth of color and permanence, ensuring the vibrancy of the artwork will endure for generations.

The collection offers three distinct dial designs, each with its own character and story. The most exclusive of the trio, limited to a mere eight pieces worldwide, features a captivating collage inspired by MEISSEN's iconic ‘Dekorwelten’ crater vase. This dial is a vibrant, fairy-tale scene set against a soft celadon green background. Bright rainbow colors bring to life a menagerie of animals, flowers, and fruits, with plump yellow lemons and a lush pink peony creating a lively composition. To give the artwork maximum prominence, this version forgoes hour markers entirely.



A second variant, limited to 150 pieces, presents the ornamental “Mystic Maison” decoration. The Rocaille elements of this intricate pattern unfold across a celadon green ground, a color that pays homage to the very origins of porcelain art. This specific shade of green refers to ceramic objects first produced in China during the 9th century, which were prized for their translucent green glaze. Here, the delicate pattern is complemented by hand-painted Roman numerals and minute markers.

The third model in the series, also limited to 150 pieces, offers a different interpretation of the “Mystic Maison” motif. On this watch, the ornamental decoration is rendered in a delicate grey against a flawless, radiant white porcelain background. This monochromatic approach provides a sense of classical restraint, allowing the intricacy of the Rocaille pattern and the crispness of the Roman numerals to stand out with striking clarity. It is a study in texture and form, highlighting the perfect symbiosis of traditional craft and modern design.

The polished red gold case serves as a warm and substantial frame for these porcelain dials. Measuring 40.00 mm in diameter and a notably slim 10.23 mm in height, the case is designed for presence without being overbearing. Its slim profile is made possible by the thoughtfully engineered low height of the movement within, ensuring comfortable wear. The case is rated for a water resistance of 5 bar, offering practical protection for daily use.



Beneath the artistic dials lies the pinnacle of Glashütte watchmaking: the manufactory Calibre 36 movement. Specifically, the Calibre 36-16 used in these models combines exquisite mechanical engineering with modern user-friendliness. It features a bi-directional automatic winding system that efficiently powers the watch, contributing to an impressive power reserve of 100 hours. This extended running time means the watch can be set down for four full days and will still be ticking accurately when picked up again.

Further enhancing its performance is a silicon balance spring. This advanced material is highly resistant to the negative effects of magnetic fields and temperature fluctuations, two of the most common enemies of mechanical watch accuracy. The movement also includes a second stop function, which halts the seconds hand when the crown is pulled out, allowing for precise time-setting down to the exact second. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, a modern standard that contributes to its stable rate.

Flipping the watch over reveals a view that is as captivating as the dial. A sapphire crystal case back offers an unobstructed look at the meticulously finished Calibre 36-16. The movement’s architecture and decoration are a refined counterpoint to the painted porcelain on the front. Visible is the iconic Glashütte three-quarter plate, adorned with a traditional stripe finish that catches the light beautifully.

The attention to detail extends to every component. The balance cock is intricately engraved by hand, a signature of the brand’s commitment to artisanal craft. The skeletonized rotor, which features the Glashütte Original double-G symbol, is weighted with a 21-carat gold oscillating mass for improved winding efficiency. Even components like the manual winding chain receive a sunburst finish.



This dedication to fine finishing is evident in the smallest details. The edges of the plates and bridges are painstakingly beveled and polished, a time-consuming process done by hand to create sharp, reflective angles. All visible steel parts are polished to a mirror shine, and tiny blued screws provide a traditional touch of color against the rhodium-plated surfaces of the movement plates.

Each timepiece is completed with a strap befitting its character. The extremely limited 8-piece collage model and the 150-piece celadon green "Mystic Maison" model are paired with a rich blue Louisiana alligator leather strap. This choice of color perfectly complements the cool tones of the celadon green background and the various blues within the collage artwork.

The 150-piece "Mystic Maison" model with the white dial is fitted with a classic black Louisiana alligator leather strap. This timeless combination emphasizes the crisp, monochromatic aesthetic of the dial and the warmth of the red gold case. All straps feature a 20 mm end link width and standard dimensions of 75 mm by 115 mm, secured to the wrist with a red gold clasp.

The Senator Meissen series successfully unites the best of two distinct but philosophically aligned worlds. It is a celebration of German artistry, where the canvas of porcelain and the mechanics of timekeeping are brought together in perfect harmony. Each watch is not only a device for measuring hours and minutes but also a piece of wearable art that carries the legacy of two historic manufactories.



The new limited-edition Senator Meissen models are available starting October 9, 2025. They can be acquired through all Glashütte Original Boutiques as well as select authorized dealers around the world. Reflecting its extreme rarity, the Senator Meissen with the ‘Dekorwelten’ crater vase collage dial, limited to just eight pieces (Ref. 1-36-16-01-05-01), is priced at $36,400 USD. The two Senator Meissen models featuring the “Mystic Maison” decoration, both limited to 150 pieces each—the celadon green dial (Ref. 1-36-16-02-05-01) and the white dial (Ref. 1-36-16-03-05-01)—are priced at $30,300 USD.

1-36-16-01-05-01

Case: Red gold, 40.00 mm diameter, 10.23 mm height, 5 bar water resistance.

Movement: Automatic Glashütte Original manufactory Calibre 36-16, 100-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, silicon balance spring, hand-engraved balance cock.

Dial: Made of MEISSEN porcelain, hand-painted with a collage motif from the ‘Dekorwelten’ crater vase on a celadon green background.

Strap: Blue Louisiana Alligator leather strap with red gold clasp, 20 mm end link width.

Price: 36,400 USD

Reference Number: 1-36-16-01-05-01

Notes: Limited to only 8 pieces worldwide. The dial deliberately dispenses with hour indicators to showcase the hand-painted collage in its entirety.



1-36-16-02-05-01

Case: Red gold, 40.00 mm diameter, 10.23 mm height, 5 bar water resistance.

Movement: Automatic Glashütte Original manufactory Calibre 36-16, 100-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, silicon balance spring, hand-engraved balance cock.

Dial: Made of MEISSEN porcelain, hand-painted in celadon green with ornamental “Mystic Maison” decoration and Roman numerals.

Strap: Blue Louisiana Alligator leather strap with red gold clasp, 20 mm end link width.

Price: 30,300 USD

Reference Number: 1-36-16-02-05-01

Notes: Limited to 150 pieces worldwide. The celadon green dial color is a reference to Chinese ceramics dating back to the 9th century.



1-36-16-03-05-01

Case: Red gold, 40.00 mm diameter, 10.23 mm height, 5 bar water resistance.

Movement: Automatic Glashütte Original manufactory Calibre 36-16, 100-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, silicon balance spring, hand-engraved balance cock.

Dial: Made of MEISSEN porcelain, hand-painted in white with a delicate grey “Mystic Maison” decoration and Roman numerals.

Strap: Black Louisiana Alligator leather strap with red gold clasp, 20 mm end link width.

Price: 30,300 USD

Reference Number: 1-36-16-03-05-01

Notes: Limited to 150 pieces worldwide. The porcelain dial is fired multiple times at 900°C to achieve the desired depth of color for the hand-painted elements.