Union Glashütte Celebrates Founder's Legacy with 1893 Johannes Dürrstein Anniversary Editions

Union Glashütte is commemorating the 180th birth anniversary of its visionary founder, Johannes Dürrstein, by introducing two exquisite new timepieces: the 1893 Johannes Dürrstein Anniversary Editions. These special releases, presented as the 41mm Large Second and 34mm Small Second models, beautifully encapsulate the brand's enduring commitment to accessible, high-quality Saxon watchmaking and exceptional design. Reflecting the legacy of a man who believed fine watches should be within reach for a wider audience, these editions pay homage to the year Dürrstein established the "Union Uhrenfabrik," a company built on this very principle. The design elements, including textured surfaces and subtle contrasts, echo the aesthetic established with earlier anniversary collections, offering both historical resonance and modern appeal.

The two new 1893 Johannes Dürrstein Anniversary watches boast meticulously crafted dials, sharing a common aesthetic of refined detail. A warm taupe-toned outer surface, distinguished by a delicate grained texture, frames a contrasting matte, sandblasted inner section. Polished silvered rings are strategically placed to introduce subtle visual depth and clear distinctions between the dial elements. The hands, meticulously heat-blued, serve as a nod to the traditional finishing techniques that are a hallmark of Glashütte watchmaking, enhancing the historical connection and artisanal quality of these timepieces.

The 41mm Large Second model presents a reinterpretation of a classic layout, drawing inspiration from 19th-century Glashütte pocket watches. This design features the hours and minutes displayed off-centre on the left, while a prominent, enlarged seconds display commands attention on the right side of the dial. In elegant contrast, the 34mm Small Second model is conceived as a refined complement, subtly adapting this historical concept. It showcases a traditional subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock, maintaining the consistent, high-quality dial finishing seen across both anniversary editions.

Both timepieces are encased in durable 316L stainless steel, characterized by gently rounded contours and domed sapphire crystals, which benefit from anti-reflective coating on both surfaces. The Large Second variant measures 41mm in diameter with a thickness of 11.8mm and offers a water resistance of 100 meters. Its more compact counterpart, the Small Second, boasts a delicate profile of 34mm in diameter and 9.6mm in thickness, with a water resistance of 50 meters. Each model is equipped with a sapphire caseback, providing an unobstructed view of the automatic Union calibres. These movements are based on the ETA 2899 and ETA 2895-2 architectures respectively, offering a 42-hour power reserve, a stop-seconds mechanism, and a date display, all adorned with traditional Glashütte decorative finishes such as perlage, blued screws, and striping.

The newly unveiled Union Glashütte 1893 Johannes Dürrstein Anniversary Edition watches are paired with elegant black calfskin leather straps, ensuring both comfort and security with their double-fold clasps featuring twin push-buttons. Each of these distinguished models is limited to a production run of just 99 pieces, offering an exclusive opportunity for collectors. They are available for purchase either individually or as a special collector's boxed set that includes both timepieces. The Large Second is priced at EUR 1,960, while the Small Second is available for EUR 1,780, representing a remarkable blend of heritage, craftsmanship, and refined design.