I will just go ahead and say it...the Glashutte Original Panomaticlunar is a truly spectacular watch. In fact, the awesomeness of the watch is the driving force behind my inspiration to write a detailed review about it, which is quite a feat considering the fact that I am literally made of lazy bones.
It was love at first sight the very moment I laid eyes on the PML at a boutique in Singapore. The sales girl (whom is pretty cute) encouraged me to molest the piece and not only was I in love, I was pretty much in lust as well (with the watch). Cash was almost parted but I wanted to make sure that the feelings were genuine and not fleeting. I took a cold shower to cool down and with a level head, decided that I should check if the ADs back home could offer me a better deal...and if I could stop lusting over the darn watch.
Fat hopes at that, my lust for the darn watch seems to have grown even deeper with time. I knew then that my feelings were real! I hastily made my way to the Glashutte AD in KL, struck a deal with the sales girl and waited impatiently for 3 long weeks for my one true love to arrive and arrive it certainly did.
Without further ado, here is the review of my new beau.
The Dial:
The color of the dial is pretty intriguing as it changes with the lighting. It could appear as white, silver or cream in varying light. The asymmetric layout that is the hallmark of the Pano collection is extremely pleasing to the eye as it follows the proportions of the Golden Ratio. The flame blued hour, minute and second hands contrast magnificently against the virginal white guilloche dial. The moonphase complication with silvered moon and stars against a dark blue night sky gives the watch an ethereal quality. The Big Date complication is exquisitely executed with both discs perfectly aligned on a single plane...negating the need for a split window ala A.Lange.
The Case and Strap:
40mm sounds a little small on paper (for my rather meaty wrist) but the watch wears more like a 42mm. The bezel is made pretty thin, which sets the stage for the dial to shine. White is also an optically 'enlarging' color. One thing to note is that the watch is quite thick measuring at 12.7mm. This could be a deal breaker for those who prefer a slimmer watch to tuck cozily under their cuffs. The lugs are nicely beveled and come fitted with a Lousiana Alligator strap with a single fold deployant. The strap is nice enough but nothing really to get excited about (unlike IWC's Santoni straps which are awesome). The deployant buckle is nicely machined and feels extremely solid but it is a little hard to remove as it does not have release pushers. The winding action of the double G signed crown is buttery smooth. However, it is a little on the small side, which could be a little fiddly for chubby fingers.
The Movement:
The PML is fitted with the Glashutte Calibre 90-2, which is an Automatic movement with 42 hours power reserve. It beats at a modern rate of 28,800vph or 4Hz. Technicalities aside, the movement is exceptionally beautiful and very well finished for the price of entry. All the hallmarks of exceptional Saxon watchmaking are incorporated into the calibre. First off, there is the exquisite 3 1/4 plate construction finished with Glashutte ribbing. The skeletonized rotor with 21ct gold oscillating weight is off centre to enable full view of the magnificent balance wheel and bridges. The balance is adorned with filigreed gold weighted screws coupled with a duplex swan neck fine adjustment mechanism, which is mirror polished by hand. The piece de resistance has got to be the hand engraved balance cock. The engraving is done without the use of pre- stenciled pattern, making every piece unique. My watch comes with pretty elaborate engravings, which is truly beautiful to behold. There are many other finishing flourishes such as hand bevelling, perlage and blued screws. The only thing missing are gold chatons, which I greedily wish were also incorporated into the calibre.
Accuracy:
Something has gotta give right? Wrong...the accuracy of the watch is incredible! I benchmarked the watch against Sirim time and after 5 days, it was only off by a mere second! It is quite unbelievable. I guess the duplex swan neck fine adjustment mechanism is not merely for show!
