Manufacture d'horlogerie: Glashutte Original

Manufacture d'horlogerie. Manufacture d'horlogerie is a term reserved for  watch manufacturers that make all or most of the parts required for their movements in their own production facilities as opposed to assembling watches using parts purchased from other firms. For reasons of their in-house expertize companies classified as manufacture d'horlogerie are generally considered to be the elite of the watch making industry.

Watchmaking Capital of Germany. By the end of the 19th century, Glashutte was the matchmaking capital of Germany. During the last day of  World War II, Glashutte was bombed and most of the factories were destroyed. After the war the reminding unaffected factories were merged under the state run VEB Glashutter Uhrenbetriebe.  With the reunification of Germany VEB Glashutter Uhrenbetriebe was privatized in 1994 and Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH, more popularly known by its brand name "Glashutte Original", was formed.

While Glashutte Original is a relatively new brand, its employs watchmakers whose knowledge is based on 165 years of watchmaking tradition in Glashutte.

Doing things the old way. Glashütte Original is one of the very few remaining – how should I put it? – traditional, complete, or true manufactories as we are mastering the whole process of watch making. Glashütte Original is inventing, prototyping, producing, assembling, and finishing its movements internally. Our watches are original in the pure sense of the word as you will find them nowhere else. Additionally, our particular approach way of watch making takes place under one single roof. All ateliers and workshops are ones of the most integrated in the world. --- From Dr. Frank Muller's interview with TimeZone. 

Glashutte Original produces only a small number of watches per year, all of which use movements built in-house movements. This is significant considering that Glashutte Original is part of the SWATCH Group. The other luxury brand names of the SWATCH Group, like Breguet, Blancpain, Omega and Tiffany & Co., use movements built by ETA or Lemania, which also form part of the SWATCH Group of companies. 

In terms of style, Glashutte Original watches have the same Germanic style that you see in A. Lange & Sohne watches, which is not too surprising since the two companies share historic roots.  

Glashutte Original Panomaticlunar