In the Glashütte Original SeaQ 39.5mm, a New Sapphire Case Back Option for 2024
In a move that responds to customer demand, Glashütte Original is now offering the SeaQ 39.5mm diver's watch with a sapphire case back starting December 2024. Until now, the diver's watch, which draws inspiration from a historic Glashütte timepiece produced during the GDR era, has been equipped with a solid steel case back as a tribute to its design heritage.
The design of the SeaQ was a unique challenge for Glashütte Original’s engineers and designers when they revived it 50 years after the Spezimatic RP TS 200 had been released in 1969. Over the decades, both market expectations and manufacturing techniques have evolved considerably. The goal was to create a retro-styled diver's watch that harmonized fine Glashütte craftsmanship with the rugged durability expected of a professional dive watch, while also preserving the distinctive features and design language of its historical predecessor.
As a nod to the original, every SeaQ model was initially equipped with a solid steel case back, a design element inherited from the historical diver's watch. This case back features a maritime motif — a trident, flanked by the brand’s signature double-G logo, set against a backdrop of 20 waves. This engraving not only serves as a nod to the watch’s 20-bar water resistance rating, but also emphasizes its certification as a diver's watch according to the strict DIN 8306 and ISO 6425 standards.
Up until now, the only model in the SeaQ collection with a visible movement was the 2022 edition in rose gold, which boasts a sapphire case back showcasing the in-house caliber and its fine technical and aesthetically details. For all other stainless steel and bi-color SeaQ models, the inner workings remained hidden. With the new sapphire case back option, Glashütte Original now responds to frequent requests from customers eager to admire the beauty of the movement.
The movement that comes to life through the sapphire case back is the Glashütte Original Caliber 39-11, a refined example of the manufacture’s watchmaking prowess. Features such as the signature 3/4-plate with Glashütte stripes, the sophisticated swan-neck fine adjustment, and the skeletonized rotor adorned with the double-G logo are not only technical marvels but also aesthetic highlights that showcase the high level of craftsmanship for which Glashütte Original is renowned.
Importantly, the new sapphire caseback does not affect the SeaQ’s water resistance. The watch retains its robust 200-meter resistance rating, ensuring it remains fully functional for diving.
From January 2025, existing SeaQ owners will be able to swap their steel backs for the new sapphire crystal option for $200.
To learn more, visit Glashütte Original, here.
