Glashütte Original has introduced a new timepiece aimed squarely at the North American market, the Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph. This model serves as a special edition that channels a particular aesthetic, one the brand associates with a confident and relaxed American lifestyle. It is a watch that merges the mechanical prowess of German watchmaking with a design language rooted in a distinct and influential period of the 20th century. The release is limited, ensuring a degree of exclusivity for collectors and enthusiasts within the region.
The conceptual foundation of the Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph is a tribute to the design trends of the 1970s. This was a decade defined by bold shapes, new uses of color, and a departure from the more traditional, rounded forms of previous eras.
Glashütte Original first launched its Seventies collection a decade ago to capture this spirit, and this new ‘X’ Chronograph marks the anniversary of that line. It embodies the era’s penchant for television-shaped or cushion cases, which stood out for their soft corners and integrated presence on the wrist.
Courtesy of Glashütte Original
The case of the Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph is a primary component of its identity. Fashioned from stainless steel, it measures a perfectly square 40.00 mm by 40.00 mm. Its distinctive shape, with gently rounded corners and straight sides, is immediately recognizable. The finishing is a sophisticated mix of satin-brushed surfaces on the top and sides, contrasted with brightly polished bevels that trace the case's silhouette. This interplay of finishes captures and reflects light in a dynamic way, highlighting the unique geometry. With a height of 14.10 mm, the watch has a substantial but wearable profile, further enhanced by the practical inclusion of a screwed crown and a water resistance rating of 10 bar (100 meters), making it suitable for daily wear and unexpected encounters with water.
Visually, the dial is where the watch makes its most assertive statement. A matte white lacquer provides a clean, bright canvas. This stark background is punctuated by two prominent sub-dials at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions, which are rendered in a deep, galvanized black. These sub-dials feature a delicate, concentric pattern reminiscent of the grooves on a vinyl record, a subtle but effective nod to the 1970s theme. This "panda" style configuration, with dark sub-dials on a light main dial, is a classic chronograph layout prized for its high contrast and legibility.
Functionality and design are intricately woven together on the dial. The sub-dial at 9 o'clock serves as the running small seconds, and it cleverly integrates a small, black-on-white power reserve indicator that signals the movement's remaining energy. At 3 o’clock, the 30-minute counter for the chronograph is displayed. The applied hour indices are bold and rectangular, filled with Super-LumiNova for low-light visibility. They are matched by the straight, lume-filled hour and minute hands, ensuring that telling time is an effortless task under any lighting condition.
Courtesy of Glashütte Original
A key celebratory element of this anniversary edition is the use of a vibrant red accent. The central chronograph seconds hand is finished in this striking color, providing a flash of energy against the monochromatic backdrop. This red is echoed in a small but significant detail on the minute track: a red marker at the 10-minute position. This detail specifically commemorates the ten-year anniversary of the Seventies collection, adding a layer of narrative to the design that will be appreciated by brand connoisseurs.
A signature feature of Glashütte Original watchmaking is the Panorama Date, and it finds a prominent place on the Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph. Positioned at 6 o’clock, the date display is exceptionally large and legible. It utilizes two separate, concentrically mounted discs to display the date in large white numerals on a black background, seamlessly integrating with the black sub-dials. Beneath the date aperture, a small window houses the numeric 12-hour counter for the chronograph, a clever and space-efficient design choice that maintains the dial's symmetry.
Powering this timepiece is the in-house Calibre 37-02, an automatic manufactory movement that showcases the technical expertise of the German watchmaker. This is not merely a time-and-date movement with a chronograph module attached; it is a fully integrated column-wheel chronograph calibre designed from the ground up for performance and reliability. The column-wheel architecture ensures a smooth and precise actuation of the chronograph functions, providing a satisfying tactile feedback through the pushers.
One of the most user-friendly features of the Calibre 37-02 is its flyback function. A flyback chronograph allows the user to reset and restart the chronograph with a single push of the lower pusher, rather than the traditional three-step process of stop, reset, and restart. This function was originally developed for pilots who needed to time successive events quickly without losing precious seconds. In a modern context, it remains a sophisticated and practical complication that speaks to the movement's advanced engineering.
Courtesy of Glashütte Original
The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, which is the modern standard for precision chronographs. What is particularly notable is its impressive power reserve of 70 hours. This extended running time means the watch can be taken off for a weekend and will still be running accurately on Monday morning, a convenience that enhances the ownership experience significantly.
Glashütte Original has a deep tradition of exquisite movement finishing, and the Calibre 37-02 is a prime example of this artistry. The view through the sapphire crystal case back is a panorama of meticulous decoration. The majority of the movement is covered by the characteristic Glashütte three-quarter plate, a design element that increases stability and has been a hallmark of the region's watchmaking for over 150 years. This plate is adorned with Glashütte stripes, a form of ribbing similar to Côtes de Genève.
Further inspection of the movement reveals a skeletonized rotor, which allows for a more open view of the mechanism beneath. The rotor features the brand's iconic double-G logo and is fitted with a 21-carat gold oscillation weight, adding mass to improve winding efficiency. The edges of the plates and bridges are meticulously beveled and polished by hand, a time-consuming process that creates beautiful light-catching facets.
The level of detail extends to the smallest components. The steel parts are polished to a mirror finish, and the screws are either polished or thermally blued, providing a traditional pop of color against the rhodium-plated surfaces. The balance is a regulator-free system with four weighted screws on the rim, allowing for precise adjustments to the rate, a feature typically found in high-end chronometry.
Courtesy of Glashütte Original
Versatility is a central theme for the Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph, underscored by the inclusion of two distinct strap and bracelet options. The watch is delivered with both a stainless steel integrated bracelet and a black rubber strap. This allows the owner to fundamentally change the character of the watch to suit different occasions or personal styles.
The stainless steel bracelet is a work of art in itself. Its links are designed to flow seamlessly from the lines of the cushion-shaped case, creating a fully integrated look that is very true to the 1970s aesthetic. The bracelet features a combination of brushed and polished links that complement the finishing of the case, and it secures with a robust fold fastener that includes a fine-adjustment mechanism for a perfect fit.
Alternatively, the black rubber strap offers a more casual and sporty personality. It is custom-molded to fit the case perfectly, eliminating any unsightly gaps between the strap and the lugs. The texture on the strap adds visual interest and it is comfortable, durable, and water-resistant, making it an excellent choice for active wear. The strap's end link width is 26 mm, contributing to the watch's solid and balanced stance on the wrist.
This particular model, the reference 1-37-02-18-02-70, holds a special status as the first Seventies model created exclusively for the North American market. This regional focus is a significant move for the brand, recognizing the importance and specific tastes of collectors in this part of the world. The connection to the "American spirit" is a thematic choice, linking the watch's bold design to a sense of freedom and effortless confidence.
Courtesy of Glashütte Original
The exclusivity of the Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph is guaranteed by its strict limitation. Only 100 pieces will be produced and sold. This scarcity makes it a particularly noteworthy release for dedicated followers of Glashütte Original and collectors of limited-edition chronographs. Each piece represents a fraction of a very small production run, ensuring it will remain a rare sight.
As a limited edition for North America, the Glashütte Original Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph is available exclusively in this region. The production is capped at 100 pieces. The watch, designated by reference number 1-37-02-18-02-70, is priced at 17,900 USD. This price includes the full set: the watch head, the integrated stainless steel bracelet, and the black rubber strap, both equipped with a fold fastener, providing a comprehensive and versatile package for the discerning collector.
Case: Stainless steel, 40.00 mm x 40.00 mm dimension, 14.10 mm height. Screwed crown, water resistant to 10 bar.
Movement: In-house Calibre 37-02 automatic movement. 70-hour power reserve, 4 Hz frequency. Integrated column-wheel chronograph with flyback function, Panorama Date, and power reserve indicator.
Dial: Lacquer matt white with two black galvanized sub-dials. Applied indices with Super-LumiNova. White Panorama Date on black background. Red chronograph hand and red 10-minute marker.
Strap: Includes both an integrated stainless steel bracelet and a black rubber strap with fold fastener. End link width of 26 mm.
Price: 17,900 USD
Reference Number: 1-37-02-18-02-70
Notes: A special edition limited to 100 pieces created exclusively for North America. The model marks the 10th anniversary of the Seventies collection.