First Impressions: Glashutte Original Senator Rattrapante

Article: The Senator Rattrapante is one of the most exciting timepieces to come out of the Glashutte factory in recent years. The watch as with new generation column wheel chronographs of today is a complex movement, especially since it is a split seconds chronograph. The movement of the watch was a joy to photograph and for me, it easily rates amongst the most impressive movements in recent years. This is not just because of the complexity of the movement but of the quality of the movement finish as well.

The dial design is distinctly Glashutte Original, as one might expect from the makers of some of the most immediately recognizable dials in the business, but the finish quality is clearly improved over their other chronographs in the Senator collection. This platinum model is expensive but, operating the pushers, one almost forgets how much it costs because of the sweet smoothness of the button action. The chronograph pusher action in my opinion is one of the best there is in the industry.

The dial design is distinctly Glashutte Original, as one might expect from the makers of some of the most immediately recognizable dials in the business, but the finish quality is clearly improved over their other chronographs in the Senator collection. This platinum model is expensive but, operating the pushers, one almost forgets how much it costs because of the sweet smoothness of the button action. The chronograph pusher action in my opinion is one of the best there is in the industry.

While I am impressed with the movement and its operation, I am less impressed with the dial as a whole. Clearly no expense was spared to put out a top quality dial but the trademark asymmetrical layout and the positioning of the subdials and date window feels awkward and unbalanced. Then again, this is what normally adds to Glashutte Original's handsome reputation.

The watch is quite considerable in size as well as in its weight - all due to the platinum used for the case. Given the complication and the material, this watch is amongst Glashutte Originals most expensive in the collection. Nevertheless, there is great pedigree in the watch. Clearly a teutonic watch concept, I am quite sure that collectors who support the Glashutte watch philosophy will take this piece to heart.