Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph and Navigator: Celebrating Aviation and Maritime Navigation

With the Senator Chronograph and the Senator Chronograph Navigator, Glashütte Original presents two distinct interpretations of the same chronograph architecture. They differ not only in their colour schemes: the Navigator is designed for immediate readability, whereas the Senator Chronograph draws its design inspiration from classic Glashütte observation watches.

Two instrument designs

Anyone who needs to measure short time intervals relies on an accurate, easy-to-read display of the measured time. In aviation and maritime navigation, different dial and control designs were developed for this purpose. Pilot’s watches of the 1940s relied on strong contrasts, large luminous displays and controls that were as easy to read as possible. Glashütte observation watches, such as those used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in maritime applications, amongst others, by contrast, featured a sober, more classically maritime layout of the time displays.

Glashütte Original has made this distinction the focus of two new models. The Senator Chronograph Navigator draws on the functional style of aviation, whilst the Senator Chronograph embodies the more refined appearance of historic observation watches. Nevertheless, both chronographs are based on the same movement and are part of a Glashütte tradition dating back to the UROFA Calibre 59 in the early 1940s.

Black with luminescent material, silver-white with blued hands

The Senator Chronograph Navigator is designed with a consistent focus on contrast and easy readability. The matt black lacquered dial features Arabic numerals made of solid luminescent material, complemented by luminescent hour markers engraved on the outer edge. The hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. For contrast, the hands of the central chronograph seconds hand, the 30-minute counter and the small seconds hand are lacquered white. Similarly, the minute track and tachymeter scale are also finished in white, standing out clearly against the black dial.

The Senator Chronograph Navigator’s functional design is complemented by the easy-grip aviator crown and the two mushroom-shaped pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock. Furthermore, the 30-minute counter and the small seconds dial are positioned opposite each other, whilst the panoramic date window is situated at 6 o’clock.

The Senator Chronograph, by contrast, takes a more classic design approach: its electroplated silver-white dial, which is finely embossed and thus has a grainy appearance, creates a light yet nuanced backdrop for the displays. Against this background, Roman numerals in solid gold with a blue coating stand out, as do the blued hands for the hours, minutes, small seconds, central chronograph seconds and 30-minute counter. As with the Senator Chronograph Navigator, the date is also positioned at 6 o’clock on the Senator Chronograph, but is framed by a white gold bezel.

Despite its more classic design, the Senator Chronograph features the same layout as the Navigator. The minute track, tachymeter scale, 30-minute counter, small seconds and panoramic date are positioned in the same places on both models. The differences lie primarily in the numerals, colours, materials and finishes.

You can find out which processes and manufacturing techniques Glashütte Original uses to produce dials here in our in-depth article

Identical dimensions, different appearances

The fact that both watches remain recognisable as a pair, despite their different historical references, is down to their identical architecture. The stainless steel cases measure 41 millimetres in diameter, 12.9 millimetres in height and 48.5 millimetres from lug to lug. The dials are protected by sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Furthermore, the sapphire crystal caseback on both models allows a view of the movement.

The dimensions of both models give the pair the appearance of striking, modern chronographs. With a case thickness of 12.9 millimetres and water resistance up to 5 bar, these chronographs are relatively modest compared with those of other brands in this price range.Despite having identical dimensions, the watches look quite different: the Navigator appears more technical and sporty than the Senator Chronograph, which has a more classic, understated look on the wrist.

There are three strap options available for both models. The Navigator is available with black Louisiana alligator leather, a sand-coloured synthetic strap or a satin-finished stainless steel bracelet. The Senator Chronograph is available with blue Louisiana alligator leather, the sand-coloured synthetic strap and a polished and satin-finished stainless steel bracelet. The straps can be changed without tools; the double folding clasp also features a quick-change system, allowing you to switch between non-metallic straps quickly if required.

Column wheel, flyback and 70-hour power reserve

The most important feature shared by both models lies beneath the dials: the automatic in-house calibre 37-24, in which a column wheel controls the start, stop and reset functions of the chronograph. Thanks to the flyback function, a running measurement can be reset and restarted immediately with a single press.

It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 hertz, has 47 jewels and offers a power reserve of 70 hours. This means that both watches can continue to run for more than a weekend even after being taken off. A silicon balance spring also lends technical stability to the design; solid gold regulating screws on the balance cock and the swan-neck fine-adjustment mechanism ensure precise regulation of the timekeeping.

Through the sapphire crystal case back, the typical features of Glashütte watchmaking can be seen: a three-quarter plate with Glashütte ribbing, bevelled edges, polished steel components and blued screws adorn the interior of the case. Above this, a skeletonised rotor made of 21-carat gold rotates.

Price and availability

The Senator Chronograph Navigator and Senator Chronograph are already available in Glashütte Original boutiques and at the brand’s authorised retailers. They are priced at 15,900 euros each with a Louisiana alligator leather or synthetic strap, and 16,800 euros each with a stainless steel bracelet.

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