flow_watches33's review on his Glashütte Original PanoGraph

Initially, I had very specific requirements for my horological holy grail: - Red gold/rose gold case - An "unconventional" chronograph - A magnificent movement in the HH style or close to HH After many months of searching, two models stood out: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Chronograph or the Glashütte Original PanoGraph. I ultimately chose the PanoGraph. (Spoiler alert: a year and a half later, a golden opportunity allowed me to also acquire the Duomètre Chronograph.) I quickly fell in love with this watch as a whole. The red gold case, the asymmetrical dial, the 30-minute three-hand chronograph, the large date, the flyback… and above all, its movement. 61-03 movement, column wheel, Glashütte ribbing, hand-engraved balance wheel... In my opinion, it's one of the most beautiful chronograph movements on the market. On the wrist, the PanoGraph sits remarkably well and is almost unnoticeable despite its thickness. The reflections of the red gold are sublime, especially in sunlight. To the ear, the PanoGraph is very audible. The watch's ticking is clearly audible, likely amplified by the sapphire crystal on the movement side: a subtle detail, perceptible only to the wearer. Under magnification, each element becomes a work of art. The main dial (hour, minute, and chronograph seconds) is made of concentric circles that create a subtle visual demarcation between the zones. Finally, the chronograph is a visual marvel. The "jumping" 30-minute counter is composed of three segments: - A 0-10 minute segment with the minute hand - A 10-20 minute segment with the middle hand - A 20-30 minute segment with the minute hand At the end of each minute, the hand jumps forward and increments to the next minute. At the end of a segment, the hand disappears to reveal the next hand. The complication seems simple to understand, but its execution is nonetheless poetic, as the hand disappears to reveal the next. And it's all complemented by a flyback function, always fun to use 😁 In short, a long and demanding quest… to finally reach a true horological holy grail.