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Kit O. Payumo

Lady Serenade

Glashütte Original’s version of “the little black dress”

Yes, for those in the know, Glashütte Original’s elegant Lady Collection has enjoyed phenomenal success ever since it made its debut in 2007. And why shouldn’t it? Timelessly elegant and imbued with refined lines and proportions that only other watchmakers can dream of, this is what classic watchmaking is all about. So why mess with perfection, you might ask? Probably because everything can always be improved upon. And that’s exactly what the Manufactory (as they like to be called) has done. Which is why this year, Glashütte Original has made some changes to the dial of its popular ladies’ watch to further enhance this already elegant and alluring collection.

Indeed, in the world of high fashion, women have always been the true trend-setters. All the international fashion houses know this. Even the world of fine watchmaking has always taken note and paid close attention to this. Which is why the Glashütte Original manufactory has always followed suit, paying particular attention to the flawless style and construction of its ladies’ watches. For the new models of the Lady Serenade models, a play of opposites became the operative mantra of the Manufactory. Contrasting light and dark with matte and polished surfaces to produce even more exquisite timepieces for women to be serenaded by.

Two of the new versions then, start with an eternal favorite: the color black, which the Manufactory combined with the metallic brilliance of stainless steel and rose gold. Indeed, great care was performed by the manufactory’s own dial makers in Pforzheim for the elegant, deep black dials of these two new versions. With which they enhanced with a sun-burst decoration and then coated with a galvanic bath. The result is a deep, endless onyx that looks for all intents and purposes to go on forever. A matching black Louisiana alligator leather strap stands in contrast to the finely worked 36 mm cases in either stainless steel or rose gold, while the date display at 6 o’clock take up the dark tones of the dial, with the hour indexes taking their color cues from the case.

A new third model, makes its debut this year. And for the first time, Glashütte Original has come out with a Lady Serenade in a refined bi-color edition with the midsection of the 36 mm case made in classic stainless steel complemented by a bezel and crown in rose gold. Further, the manufactory has endowed this third version with an iridescent mother-of-pearl dial, the natural textured hues of which makes each piece practically unique.

All three models feature the signature soft, curved lines of this collection’s hour indexes, including the distinctive Roman numerals at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock. Indeed, these are matched perfectly to the fine, softly curving hour and minute hands, as well as to the slim seconds hand, with the latter bearing the symbol of infinity for a counter weight. As we’ve mentioned above, the hands of the stainless steel model are fashioned in white gold, while the two gold versions are in rose gold, the color of which is enhanced by matching gilt applique indexes. Further, every model’s crown is also distinct with each getting an elegant cabochon: an onyx for the stainless steel model and a brilliant-cut diamond on the rose gold crowns.

Inside each Lady Serenade model beats the heart of the automatic manufactory Calibre 39-22. Its second-stop function assures that when the crown is pulled out the seconds hand comes to a halt, allowing for great precision when setting the time. A sapphire crystal case back shows the complex construction of the movement as well as the elaborate decorations that give it a supremely elegant appearance: the fine stripe finish on the Glashütte three-quarter plate and the skeletonized rotor, the bevelled edges as well as the polished steel components. Further, a glance at the movement reveals another characteristic of the Glashütte art of watchmaking: the swan-neck fine adjustment, which enables precise regulation of the rate.

And if all this still isn’t enough, all the models mentioned above can be had with bezels beset with sparking diamonds, which only allows this collection to further live up to its lovely name.

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