SeaQ revives tradition of diver’s watches made in Glashütte

Timepieces from Glashütte have long been valued around the world for their high-quality mechanics, elaborate finishes and timeless elegance. Since the 19th century, precise timekeepers from Glashütte have also been used as reliable instruments for navigation and for determining one’s position on land, at sea and in the air. Numerous historic marine chronometers, observation watches, pilot and diver’s watches made in Glashütte testify to the use of high-precision watches as instrument watches, which found widespread use in highly specific areas. Based on this rich fund of experience and its historic heritage, Glashütte Original presents a fifth collection: the “Spezialist”. It is aimed at the fearless and adventurous man with a hands-on mentality and the will to actively create his own life. The premiere model in this new collection is the diver’s watch SeaQ, which unites history and modernity in exemplary fashion. 

Inspired by the past
The SeaQ by Glashütte Original is available in two versions: as the SeaQ in both a limited and an unlimited version, and as the SeaQ Panorama Date with black or blue dial. The “Spezimatic Type RP TS 200”, developed specifically for sports divers, served as an ideal example and inspiration for the new diver’s watch. 

Fifty years ago, high quality and complex functionality were already key features of this Glashütte-made watch. With its limited edition SeaQ 1969, the Saxon manufactory takes up this tradition, citing the historic inscription on the black dial and the number of jewels. On the historic model, “Rubies 26” represents the promise of quality associated at the time with the Calibre 75. “Shockproof” refers to the construction of the diver’s watch, renowned even then for its particularly stable design. 

The green hands and the “Old Radium” shade of beige on the Arabic numerals and indexes also derive from the historic predecessors. The SeaQ 1969 is available in a limited edition of 69 pieces; the limited edition number can be found on the engraved base plate. The latter is horizontally aligned and then fixed in this position by means of a threaded base ring. The engravings on the base plate offer decorative enhancement in the form of the trident maritime symbol, the Glashütte Original Double-G and 20 waves, which symbolize the 20 bar water resistance. 
The black dial of the unlimited version of the SeaQ presents Arabic numerals, indexes and hands accentuated with the historic “Old Radium” hue. This version also features an engraved and aligned base plate, which shows, along with the trident with the Double-G and the 20 waves, the continuous case number. 

Maximum reliability under water
Its water resistance up to 20 bar, which corresponds to approximately 200 metres, makes the SeaQ well equipped for changes in pressure underwater, even at greater depths. The second model, the SeaQ Panorama Date, is water resistant up to 30 bar, approximately 300 meters, and perfectly suitable for even professional divers. This essential water resistance of both models is enhanced by numerous details, such as the screw-down crown, the base plate secured by a ring on the SeaQ model or the centrally screwed sapphire crystal case back on the SeaQ Panorama Date. 

The life of a diver can depend on the flawless functioning of his watch. For this reason, the engineers and watchmakers at Glashütte Original set maximum reliability as the central premise in the development of the SeaQ. The DIN and ISO tested diver’s watch meets the most stringent German and international quality standards in terms of water resistance, legibility, shock resistance, resistance to salt water and many other criteria. 

A secure diving experience
As genuine diver’s watches, all versions feature a unidirectional, counter-clockwise rotating bezel with perceptible click, enabling certain determination of the dive time. Thanks to its clear minute-detent and the Super-LumiNova coated triangle marking the dive start time, the SeaQ proves convincing in this area as well. In addition, the ceramic inlay makes the surface of the bezel exceptionally scratch-resistant. Under water, divers often have to contend with difficult light conditions. In such situations, the SeaQ offers superb visibility. The printed / applied hour markers and indexes are highlighted with Super-LumiNova, as are the hour, minute and second hands. Their blue radiance guarantees – through the antireflective sapphire crystal – optimal legibility and a secure diving experience, even in murky waters. 

The SeaQ 1969 and the SeaQ are both powered by the manufactory’s automatic movement Calibre 39-11 with heavy metal oscillating mass. It beats in a stainless steel case, 39.5 millimetres in diameter, and features a running time of 40 hours, a stop-second mechanism and a date display at 3 o’clock.

New Challenge for Calibre 36
The date has special importance in the sister model, the SeaQ Panorama Date. The characteristic big date, a typical feature of Glashütte Original, gives this slightly larger version its name and is harmoniously positioned at 4 o’clock. The dial – optionally either black or blue with a sunray finish – presents the hands, applied Arabic numerals and indexes in green or white, respectively. 

The differences vis-à-vis the SeaQ go well beyond visual details, however. With the SeaQ Panorama Date, the Glashütte watchmakers have successfully adapted the award-winning Calibre 36 to meet the considerable challenges of timekeeping underwater. In the 36-13 version it beats within a 43.2 mm stainless steel case and is optimally configured, as always, with regard to the four principles: precision, stability, running time and aesthetics. The bayonet mounting ensures that the movement is anchored in the case for particularly effective shock-resistance. It features a remarkable 100-hour running time while the silicon balance spring enables reliably high rate precision – above or below the sea.

It goes without saying that the promise of quality integral to the Calibre 36 is also kept by the SeaQ Panorama Date. This means not only that it meets the stringent DIN and ISO standards for diver’s watches, but that it must also undergo the same demanding 24-day test. An individual certificate documents each watch’s successful completion of the test. 

The SeaQ 1969 comes with two alternative strap versions: one with a striking embossed rubber strap, the other with a water-resistant nylon mesh strap specially developed for the SeaQ. The SeaQ and SeaQ Panorama Date are offered with three strap versions each: a stable, flat stainless steel bracelet with 8-step fine adjustment mechanism; a robust, water-resistant nylon mesh strap, and a distinctive rubber strap with embossed design all guarantee a secure fit on the wrist.

For Glashütte Original’s watchmakers and design engineers the central requirement in developing the SeaQ and SeaQ Panorama Date has been maximum reliability. As a consequence, the DIN and ISO certified diver’s watches meet the most rigorous German and international standards of quality, with a particular focus on water resistance. Learn more about this special test procedure here.