Moonstruck: Meet Glashütte Original's New PanoLunarInverse
The moon has captivated humanity for millennia, influencing navigation, agriculture, and culture. Its phases have been observed and recorded, serving as a natural calendar. Ancient civilizations relied on the lunar cycle to track time and seasons, and this celestial body became a pivotal reference point in various cultures. As watchmakers began to incorporate these astronomical phenomena into their designs, the moon phase complication emerged as a tribute to this enduring fascination.
A fascination that is shared by Glashütte Original and gets new momentum in the PanoLunarInverse. Limited to 200 pieces, this platinum timepiece that was previewed recently at this year's WatchTime New York, features a magnificent moon-phase display with a deep blue backdrop made of aventurine.
It is also known as goldstone, a material first produced in the 17th century by the masters of glass art on the Venetian island of Murano is famed for its fine sparkle and intense color. The moon itself is crafted in relief and its surface is intricately 3D laser-engraved to reflect the craters and mountains of the earth's only natural satellite. Though this celestial body is normally the herald of the night, its silent presence can be felt at any hour with the PanoLunarInverse: Once it has passed through the cut-out section of the dial, it continues its orbit, still visible beneath the gray-blue sapphire crystal. Its translucent surface offers a constant glimpse of the two circular shapes of the lunar disc, giving an insight into the mechanisms that are otherwise hidden from view.
In typical fashion of the collection, the hour and minute display, here linked to the moon phase, is positioned off-center on the left side of the dial. Like the PanoMaticInverse, it boasts a unique movement design that serves as a distinctive hallmark: some components are mounted inversely, making them visible from the dial side, which posed a challenge when integrating the additional complication. The outcome is a striking design that offers a fascinating look into the intricate mechanics of the balance. This can be viewed from the front, beneath a black rhodium-plated balance bridge adorned with elaborate guilloché decoration. The moon-phase indication is accompanied by the brand's signature Panorama large date that has graced its timepieces for over 25 years. Here it is executed in white on black and framed by a white-gold window.
The PanoLunarInverse has a diameter of 42mm and is powered by meticulously hand-finished 91-04 automatic calibre with a power reserve of 45 hours. In keeping with the lunar leitmotif, the skeletonized rotor is adorned with a domed moon, which can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back.
The PanoLunarInverse is worn on a gray Louisiana alligator nubuck leather strap or a blue synthetic strap made from yarn that is produced entirely from recycled material. Pricing is marked at $42,600.
To learn more, visit Glashütte Original, here.
