GLASHUTTE
Most of you have
probably never heard of the name Glashutte. Well, it happens that Glashutte
has a long and serious history in watchmaking. The town of Glashutte,
a remote place just
a few miles from the Czech border, played and continues to play a pivotal
role in the world of watch making.
In 1845, the court watchmaker, F. A. Lange, founded Glashutte's first watch
making company. About 30 years later, the German school of watch making was
founded there, encouraging the growth and sustenance of the industry.
Through the later ups and downs of wars, politics, and some intrigue, German
watch making survived and is today a serious contributor to the world of
watches. The brand Glashutte is irrevocably tied to German watch making
history. Its somewhat circuitous roots run long and deep.
Privatized in 1994, the company came out of the gate at a full run. IN 1995,
it introduced a watch featuring both a perpetual calendar and a flying
tourbillon. Many exclusive pieces followed including the Center and Karree
lines. And, of course, the Panoretrograph - the first mechanical
chronograph able to count both forward and backwards - made its debut in
2001.
Purchased by the Swatch group just a few years ago, Glashutte Original joins
Breguet, Blancpain at the luxury end of the Swatch mix. The company has
benefited from a multimillion dollar Swatch investment and it is now under
management by Mr. Arnold Cohen.
The new facility was officially opened on September 8, 2003. "We are a true
watch manufacturer," says Cohen, "We make our own movements, right down to
the blued screws, as well as virtually every component. Raw materials
literally come in one end and a finish product comes out the other." He
reiterates the German car analogy, emphasizing that Germany's reputation of
precision engineering translates well to watches. "We are hands on, high
end, and very technical," he continues. The very technical part of the
equation undoubtedly is reinforced by the brand's founding of the training
program: the Alfred Helwig Training Facility opened up in 2001.
Its program comprises three years of study to become a watchmaker. Three
students are chosen from each class of 12 to continue their studies even
further and become a fine mechanic.
Early this year, the first students graduated from the school with an
apprenticeship contract. Students are guaranteed a job at Glashutte, and
better to the consumer. Because of this group, Glashutte can guarantee
reasonably fast service when repairs are needed.
I personally feel that, under the directorship of Mr. Cohen, Glashutte is
out to pass Patek Philippe in quality, in style, and in after-sales service.
For those good reasons, it is certainly not a brand to be ignored simply
because of the unusual name.
Besides the fact that a Swatch is a prosaic watch, bear in mind that it is
one of the best-selling watches in the world and that Breguet has done very
well under Swatch management. Furthermore, the prices have been kept
affordable, if we can use that term, considering the quality and technical
achievement.
Carl Marcus
Chairman
Capetown Diamond
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