Discover the historic charm and contemporary finesse of Union Glashütte's 1893 Johannes Dürrstein Anniversary Editions

Spanning over a century of horological excellence, Union Glashütte has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to crafting high-quality watches that capture a broad spectrum of discerning timepiece connoisseurs. The brand’s vision of realising ‘affordable luxury’ was first articulated by its founder, Johannes Dürrstein, in 1893, through his insistence on simplicity and minimising opulent extras. Despite facing its downfall in the 1930s, the company’s phoenix-like resurrection in 1996 under the wing of Glashütte Original and subsequently becoming a part of the Swatch Group in 2000 accentuates its enduring allure. Embodying this robust legacy, Union Glashütte recently unveiled two captivating watches as part of their 1893 collection, celebrating Johannes Dürrstein’s 180th birthday. Though marketed as a his-and-hers offering, the 41mm and smaller 34mm models exude a neutral, unisex charm without compromising their ebullient character and style. Drawing inspiration from traditional Glashütte pocket watches, the larger 41mm ‘Large Second’ model is a masterstroke in asymmetry. With distinct rings representing hours, minutes, and a ’large’ subsidiary seconds display, the design is as intriguing as it is mesmerising. The ‘Small Second’ watch, following a more straightforward layout, retains yesteryear’s charm using a traditional subsidiary seconds counter at 6 o’clock. Despite channeling the spirit of vintage pocket watches, the overall design is decidedly contemporary with judicious use of colour and texture. Whether you choose to call the dial’s background hue - taupe, beige, or sand, its graceful presentation undoubtedly adds a layer of subtle sophistication. The use of snailing decoration on the intersecting silver rings and polished indices on the counters further enhance the visual appeal. Both models showcase sapphire crystal front and back covers, with the ‘Large Second’ model featuring a 41mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 11.8mm. The ‘Small Second’ variant, on the other hand, is a bit more compact with a 34mm case height of 9.57mm. The models differ in their water-resistance capabilities as well, with the larger watch capable of withstanding up to 100 metres, while the smaller model can go as deep as 50m. Congruent to Dürrstein’s philosophy, these watches symbolize the brand’s ability to create affordable timepieces with an exquisite blend of heritage and modern watchmaking technology.