The dials are classic, easy to read, and uncluttered in keeping with the “less is more” spirit of the watch. The silver dial with a grainy surface combines Roman numerals with indices and a railroad minute track, all laser-cut and galvanized in black. Like old pocket watches, each index is crowned with the corresponding minute; the stainless steel module uses black minutes, while the red gold highlights the minutes in red (in this case, printed, not laser-cut). The hands, made from blued steel, are the classic pear-shaped, or poire, hands, and the central seconds hand displays the double-G logo as a counterweight.

But the most attractive model in the new Glashütte Original Senator Excellence family is, without a doubt, the black dial model which borrows design elements from last year’s highly successful Senator Observer (reviewed here). The black dial, which has been varnished with a matte finish, displays the large, curvaceous Arabic numerals generously filled with SuperLumiNova, just like the gold hands which make legibility in the dark a cinch. The tip of the seconds hand, also treated with luminescent material, is particularly attractive.

The black dial also features the railroad minute track and the minutes in multiples of five placed above the numerals. Unlike the other two versions with Roman numerals and indices, I feel that the minute readings on the black dial are a bit too much. They interfere with the hours and the use of different fonts compromises legibility. However, it is a minor detail and does not detract from my general appreciation of this model. The black dial is presented on a leather strap with a steel buckle while the other two models come on alligator straps with red gold or steel buckles.

Since the Glashütte Original Senator Excellence is all about a return to the fundamentals of watchmaking, I like the fact that the watch does not have a date window. The absence of a date window is coherent with the philosophy of the watch and the overall result is impeccable. The ergonomics of the watch allow it to sit perfectly on your wrist, and thanks to the 40mm diameter and 10mm height, the timepiece is a handsome companion to your dress shirt.

The new Glashütte Original Senator Excellence has everything you could want in a classic and elegant dress watch with a contemporary case size, delivering a high-quality manufacture movement and a timeless aesthetic at a very reasonable price. The steel models will retail for €8,500, and the price of the red gold model is set at €15,500. glashutte-original.com