The Sixties set new standards, and not just in art, music, politics and technology. The lifestyle and the joy of living of the "swinging" Sixties inspired the styles and design languages of artists, fashion designers and architects. Colourful, experimental new forms, patterns and prototypes emerged. The look of watches produced in Glashütte at the time also reflects the unmistakable style of the era.
The Sixties line, first presented in 2007, is a tribute to a period that had a very strong impact on the range of products made at the time by the state-owned watchmaker, VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe. The current special exhibition at the German Watch Museum Glashütte makes this remarkably clear. As part of Glashütte Original's Vintage Collection, the Sixties models were based on the design of characteristic models from the era, in particular on the legendary "Spezimatic".
They are a contemporary interpretation of Sixties style, built in assured conformance with the exceptional standards governing the art of watchmaking in Glashütte.
The Saxon manufactory collection reflects the exciting era of the Sixties in a new version: retromodern and stylish at once, these "swinging" lines bring the unmistakable look of a path-breaking decade back to life.
Whether in striking midnight blue, elegant black or fitted with a classic silver-colored dial, these distinguished timepieces are available in versions with or without the Saxon manufactory's compelling Panorama Date display.
The domed dials have been galvanised and furnished with a sunburst decoration in the company's own dial manufactory. At hours 3, 6, 9 and 12 one finds stylised Arabic numerals framed by a finely drawn minute ring.
Lightly arched hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova highlights along with the elegant seconds hand ensure that one can easily read the time at all hours. The pure design of the watch is enhanced by precisely milled hour indexes. The Sixties models feature a 39mm polished stainless steel or rose gold case, while the Sixties Panorama Date has a 42mm case, also in stainless steel or rose gold.
A specially formed sapphire case back offers an expanded view of the Sixties' 39-52 automatic movement or, in the case of the Sixties Panorama Date, the manufactory's automatic Calibre 39-47. Both movements feature a power reserve of 40 hours and are complemented, in accordance with the Saxon watchmaker's impeccable standards, by exquisite finishings.
Characteristic features of Glashütte watchmaking are also in evidence: bevelled edges, polished steel components, swan-neck fine adjustment, Glashütte three-quarter plate with Glashütte ribbing and a skeletonized rotor with oscillating weight in 21kt gold.
Completing the perfect Sixties look on all models is a matching Louisiana alligator leather strap in blue or black with an elegant textured surface and pin buckle in matt stainless steel or rose gold.
Connoisseurs of Glashütte Original's Vintage collection should be certain not to miss the current special exhibition "Glashütte in the GDR Era. Watch production from 1951 to 1990." in the German Watch Museum Glashütte. Along with a great number of historic timepieces, devices, original photographs and audio recordings, visitors will find several "Spezimatic" models, which served as examples and inspiration for the designers of the contemporary Sixties line. The "Spezimatic" was one of the most widely known and popular of the watches made at the time by the state-owned VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe. Its name derives from its "special automatic" winding mechanism, a novelty of the period.
The exhibition by the "German Watch Museum Glashütte Nicolas G. Hayek" foundation honours the achievements of the designers, precision engineers and watchmakers who rebuilt the watch industry in Glashütte after the Second World War and assured the survival of the town's watchmaking traditions during the GDR period. This special exhibition is still on display until November 1, 2015.
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