Time is a fickle thing. One moment you have got all the time in the world – the next, it is slipping away from you distressingly quickly. No matter where you are in life, time waits for no one, so you should keep track of it – every minute, every hour. And what is the best way to do that? With a watch, of course.
Nowadays many people use their phone for several basic functions, including checking the time every now and then. But that device – while wonderful for many different reasons – can sometimes be exactly what is causing time to get away from you. And because of that, we would still recommend using a watch as your go-to chronometer.
But with so many on the market, how can anyone make the right choice? What looks best? Which one is more comfortable? Does this one actually tell time? The answer to those questions can be found in one of our reviews. And in this particular review, we are going to cover the Pano range from Glashütte Original.
Dial
The dial of your time-piece may seem small and inconsequential at first, but do not let its size fool you – it may just be the most important part of your watch. The hands are what enable you to be able to read the time. Without those wondrous little pointers, you would be stuck staring at your watch, not knowing what to make of those dozen numbers.
Unfortunately, with the Pano collection, you cannot customize any dials specifically. While this is disappointing, you still have a wide selection of different watches to choose from, and each one is distinct from the last, right down to the dial. These variations include different colors, different hand-designs, and different numeric denotations.
The models in the Pano collection slightly differ in look, mainly with their dials. Depending on the type you prefer, Glashütte has tried to cater to a variety of watch enthusiasts.
Glashütte Original PanoLunar Tourbillon – a contemporary piece with traditional complications. At 40mm, it has a galvanised matt finish with markers and inlaid SuperLuminova. Includes the small second on a tourbillon cage, a flying tourbillon, panorama date, hour and minute (off-centre) and moon phase
Glashütte Original PanoInverse – unique and fascinating time reference, revealing the innovative duplex swan-neck adjustment. At 42mm, it has a galvanised matt finish with markers, scales with partially laid Super LumiNova, and inlaid SuperLuminova hands. The dial provides a power reserve display, small second (off-centre), second stop, hour, and minute (off-centre) displays.
Glashütte Original PanoMaticInverse – exquisite variation of the PanoInverse with blued hands and markers, also utilising the Super LumiNova lume. This automatic movement timepiece is 42mm and provides in the dial a small second (off-centre), second stop, Panorama Date, and hour/minute display (off-centre).
Glashütte Original PanoMaticLunar wonderful original design showcasing the exceptional and elegant craft skills of Glashütte. Available in a 40mm model, this timepiece has a galvanised vinyl-type pattern dial with off-centre displays. This includes a brilliantly set small second (off-centre), Panorama Date, hour and minute (off-centre), and moon phase display.
Glashütte Original PanoReserve – a brilliant and stylish representation of the asymmetric design of the Pano dial. Like other watches in the Pano collection, this has a galvanized matt dial with markers applied, scales printed and hands inlaid with Super-LumiNova. The dial functions include – power reserve display, small second (off-centre), second stop, Panorama Date, and hour/minute (off-centre) displays.
Glashütte Original PanoGraph – an evolution of the famous PanoRetroGraph, it contains all the staple additions of the standard Pano collection dial. The dial functions include a column-wheel chronograph with stop second, sectoral 30-minute counter and flyback, small second (off-centre), second stop, Panorama Date, and hour/minute (off-centre) displays.
Glashütte Original PanoMatic Counter XL – meshing the exemplary art of complication, this piece utilises Glashütte’s high-art of watchmaking, for a truly ‘XL’ timepiece. At 44mm this large model has a galvanized, fine matt dial with markers applied, scales printed and hands inlaid with Super-LumiNova. The dial functions feature a chronograph with stop second, 30 minutes display on a lower dial level, counter function forwards and backward (00-99), small second (off-centre), second stop, Panorama Date, and hour/minute (off-centre) displays.
Case
Your choice of a case can be the best part of picking out a new chronometer. The case, of course, serves as a cradle for the dial, and can usually be made to look extra spiffy, neat. Aspects of a watch’s case design include the choice of material, colors, bezel, and the crown.
So what does Glashütte offer in terms of case design? Like the dial, you cannot pick and choose your desired design elements, but again, they offer a wide enough selection that you may not even need to. Their different watches have different variations of two-tones, as well as either a steel bracelet or leather strap.
Additionally, some crowns have narrowly-spaced, thin teeth, while others have teeth that are considerably more prominent. Most watch cases measure between 40mm to 44mm in diameter, with a screwed case back, and are allwaterproof up to 5 bar (50 metres).
Again, what the Pano collection loses in customizability, it makes up for in variety. This may be disappointing for some, but less discerning folk should have no problems here. It is still a sophisticated and refined offering that the discerning gentleman will enjoy.
Wearability
Design only forms one part of owning a watch. While your chronometer may look pretty, it does not mean much if you feel uncomfortable wearing it. If all it does is function as an attractive-looking mantle-piece, it cannot serve its primary purpose.
The Pano range, as we have said twice already, offers a broad selection of different styles, but how comfortable are those watches really? The various designs encompass two different choices of material for the brace – either leather or steel. The leather option certainly offers you a softer, more delicate touch, and is better suited to harsher environments or a manual work-load.
These straps are made from Louisiana Alligator nubuck leather, dark brown in color, with a reddish-gold finish. On the other hand, steel certainly looks more appealing, but we cannot say much for the level of comfort it provides. Steel can become quite tough on the skin, and you may find yourself adjusting your wrist-piece more than usual.
All this being said, however, it remains up to you, the individual buyer, as to whether or not these watches are something you can see – and feel – yourself wearing for the majority of your day. After all, if you have nowhere to wear the watch, what point is there in wearing it in the first place.
Price
Finally, our last topic of concern is the cost of these contemporary-looking wrist-pieces. We do not want you to get excited about something only to find out that it might exceed your budget.
The first thing to remember is that Glashütte manufactures what is considered to be a selection of premium watches. It is, therefore, within reason to pay a premium price for one of their finest watches. We have seen some more expensive watches, but not many.
The Pano collection’s prices range from a reasonable sum of £6,025 (or $7,500) to an astounding £24,100 (or $30,000) and beyond. Their target market is certainly a premium one, especially for those with disposable income, willing to try something that provides contemporary elegance that gets others talking.
