Imagine owning a piece of history, a timepiece that not only tells time but also tells a story of craftsmanship, accessibility, and enduring legacy. Union Glashütte is doing just that with its 1893 Johannes Dürrstein Anniversary Editions, celebrating the 180th anniversary of its founder. But here's where it gets intriguing: these watches aren't just about luxury—they're about making high-quality craftsmanship accessible to all, a vision Dürrstein championed when he founded the ‘Union Uhrenfabrik’ in 1893. This collection, named after that pivotal year, is a testament to his belief that fine watches should be within reach for a broader audience.
The 1893 Johannes Dürrstein Anniversary Editions come in two distinct references: the Large Second 41mm and the Small Second 34mm. Both models embody the brand’s signature blend of Saxon craftsmanship and design excellence, but with a modern twist. And this is the part most people miss: the design language draws inspiration from the 175th Anniversary Editions, characterized by intricate surface textures and subtle contrasts that elevate the aesthetic appeal.
At the heart of these watches are their meticulously crafted dials. A taupe-toned outer section with a fine-grained texture contrasts beautifully with a matte, sandblasted inner area, while a silvered, polished ring adds depth and definition. The heat-blued hands pay homage to Glashütte’s traditional finishing techniques, blending heritage with contemporary elegance.
The Large Second 41mm reimagines a 19th-century Glashütte pocket watch design, featuring off-centered hours and minutes on the left and a prominent large seconds display on the right. Its counterpart, the Small Second 34mm, is designed with a feminine touch, offering a classic subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock while maintaining the same exquisite dial finishing. This duality highlights Union Glashütte’s ability to cater to diverse tastes without compromising on style or functionality.
Both models are housed in 316L stainless steel cases with softly rounded contours and domed sapphire crystals, featuring an anti-reflective coating for enhanced visibility. The Large Second measures 41mm in diameter and 11.8mm in thickness, with a water resistance of 100 meters, while the Small Second offers a more compact profile at 34mm by 9.6mm, with 50 meters of water resistance. Each watch features a sapphire caseback, revealing the automatic Union calibres within—derived from the ETA 2899 and ETA 2895-2 architectures, respectively. These movements boast a 42-hour power reserve, a stop-seconds mechanism, and a date display, all adorned with Glashütte-style finishing, including perlage, blued screws, and striping.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Is luxury truly accessible when limited to just 99 pieces per edition? Union Glashütte’s new watches are paired with black calfskin leather straps, secured by a double-fold clasp with push-buttons for added security. Available individually or as a collector’s boxed set, the Large Second is priced at EUR 1,960, while the Small Second comes in at EUR 1,780. While these prices position them as mid-range luxury, the limited availability might leave some enthusiasts questioning the accessibility Dürrstein originally envisioned.
What do you think? Does limiting these editions to 99 pieces each align with the founder’s vision of making high-quality watches accessible? Or does exclusivity overshadow accessibility? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
For more details, visit Union Glashütte.
Technical Specifications – Union Glashütte 1893 Johannes Dürrstein Anniversary Editions
- Case: Stainless steel 316L, domed sapphire crystal with AR coating, sapphire caseback.
- Large Second: 41mm x 11.83mm, 100m water resistance.
- Small Second: 34mm x 9.57mm, 50m water resistance.
- Dial: Taupe outer section with grained finish, sandblasted inner area, silvered polished ring, blued hands, date display.
- Large Second: Off-centered hours/minutes, large seconds on the right.
- Small Second: Central hours/minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock.
- Movement: Automatic Union calibres with Glashütte finishing, 42h power reserve, stop seconds, hours, minutes, seconds, date.
- Large Second: Calibre U 2899-993 (ETA 2899 base).
- Small Second: Calibre U 2895-2 (ETA 2895-2 base).
- Strap: Black calfskin leather with double-fold clasp and twin push-buttons.
- References: D007.444.16.021.09 (Large Second), D007.228.16.021.09 (Small Second).
- Availability: Limited to 99 pieces per model, available individually or as a collector’s set.
- Price: EUR 1,960 (Large Second), EUR 1,780 (Small Second).
