Glashütte Original has manufactured several memorable flieger watches under the Senator Navigator series. Two of my favorite are the Classic Fliegerchronograph (Ref. 39-32-13-17-04) and the Senator Navigator Rimowa Edition. While the brand has sadly discontinued the Navigator series, they have replaced it with more versatile “Observer” dial which is found in Senator Observer collection and the Senator Excellence collection.
The reason Observer dial is more versatile is because it has transitioned from the classic flieger dial to a more refined dial with art deco fonts and railroad track on the minute ring.
The Senator Excellence Observer case thickness measures 10mm, which is one of the slimmest flieger I have worn. But typical of Glashütte Original, there is lot more innovation packed into this 40mm case. In 2016, 36-01 automatic caliber was introduced which has 100 hours of power reserve, silicon spring, and each watch is tested for 24 days with a stricter test standard than the Chronometer (COSC) test.
The watch has a slim bezel and a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The finely ribbed crown bears the brand’s representative double-Glashütte logo. The case has a polished and satin-brushed surface.
Glashütte Original uses a generous amount of Super-LumiNova on the slim white gold hands, the arrow-tip of the seconds hand, and on the hour indexes.
The new calibre 36 features a power reserve of up to 100 hours, at a frequency of 4 Hertz (28,800 beats per hour) with the use of only one spring barrel. An increased diameter and a smaller barrel arbor made it possible to lengthen the mainspring and sharply increase the number of winding turns.
The movement also fitted with a silicon balance spring. The spring is immune to changes in temperature, magnetic fields, and has extremely isochronous oscillation. In addition, a regulator-free oscillation system makes it possible to adjust the rate using weighted screws directly on the balance rim. The movement is tested and adjusted by Glashütte Original in six different positions – one more than a chronometer certification test would normally require.
Senator Excellence Observer in stainless steel is $9,700. While this modern flieger is expensive, once you discover the details behind Caliber 36 and the overall finish of this watch, you will begin to understand the pricing.
Photo Credit: Mike Stuffler, Glashütte Original