I think it is pretty cool that Muhle Glashutte offers these special parts. It honestly means more to me at this price than if they tried to make their own movement. The idea is that they take the best mass produced Swiss watch movements available, and improve upon them even more. Further, if you get a Muhle Glashutte watch with a chronograph, they place their own special 3/4 plate on top of base Valjoux 7750 and 7753 movements which is said to improve upon those calibers as well.
Brands in Glashutte especially are very well known for regulating stock movements they purchase from other companies very well. Then again, the competition is fierce in Glashutte because many of the brands not only make their own movements, but make pretty kick-ass mechanical watch movements. Anyhow, the automatic SW200 movement in the watch has the time and date with a 38 hour power reserve.
The Rasmus 2000 case is in steel, and given a lovely tool-like sandblasted finishing. At 44mm wide and 17.5mm thick, it isn’t a small watch, but it certainly could be larger. The case back of the watch tapers in a bit which gives the illusion it isn’t as thick. It makes good use of all that metal though. The case is highly anti-magnetic and has a 3.5mm thick domed and AR coated sapphire crystal. All that gives the watch… you guess it… 2000 meters of water resistance (200 bars). If you are clever you’ll notice that the dials of these watches all say “300 ATM.” Yea, that is a typo on these pre-production models. It should say “200 ATM” (which it does on the retail versions).
You gotta love the screw-down crown (with guards) located at 4 o’clock and the unique rotating divers bezel. The insert with the numerals isn’t just a simple ring, and the special shape is cool, and also offered in a few colors. The case is also the same as that used on the last Muhle Glashutte watch we looked at (also a diver) hands-on, the Seebataillon GMT. One element of the design that often causes confusion is the crown. On the crown is the image of a windmill. How does this relate to diving? Well it doesn’t. “Muhle” however means “mill,” and long ago many grain mills were powered by wind… hence the name “windmill.” Further, “Muhle” is the name of the family who started the brand, so in a sense, it is their family sign.
For many, the best part of the Rasmus 2000 is the dial. Offered in three version, the metallic dials are sharp looking and easy to read. The hands and hour markers have a lot of lume, and are attractively designed as well. Each with sunburst polish, the dials come in black (M1-28-83-KB), blue (M1-28-82-KB), and orange/yellow (M1-28-87-MB). Something about that golden metallic yellow attracts me, but I have a feeling the blue or black models sell the most being a bit more conservative.
Attached to the Rasmus 2000 is either a custom fitted rubber strap or a steel bracelet. Each has a deployant with a diver’s extension. It is pretty nice on each – but very rugged looking and also masculine. There are really only so many ways you can make a dive watch, and it is a story we’ve all heard many times. Muhle Glashutte ups the ante with a few features and this is a nice example of something you’ll enjoy if you get one. Price is $3,499 on the strap and $3,599 on the bracelet. muehle-glashuette.de
