Review: Glashütte Original PanoMatic Luna

If the special lady in your life had a favourite watch, what would it say about her? Well, it would probably be paved with gleaming diamonds, confidently showing her sparkle in life. It might be embellished with a lustrous, radiant mother-of-pearl dial, signifying her elegance and grace. It might also have a moon phase display, incited by her fascination and curiosity for details, yet artistically represented to complement the feminine curves on her delicate wrist.

The Glashütte Original PanoMatic Luna

“Luna”, Latin for the Moon

If the special lady in your life is still searching for her favourite watch, she might be pleased to hear about the Glashütte Original PanoMatic Luna. As its name suggests, the PanoMatic Luna transcends the wearer to a heavenly realm of the fine art of watchmaking.

Just like staring at the sky clad in the arms of a million stars, the timepiece provides a visual treat that is an instant mood-lifter every time the wearer checks for the time. The silvery moon that appears on the glowing blue mother-of-pearl dial never fails to put one in awe. This timepiece is made for the classy and sophisticated lady, who has made the conscious decision to allow herself to shine.

The case, dial and hands

The finely polished stainless steel case sits on the wrist at a comfortable size of 39.4 mm in diameter, perfect for a lady who prefers not to be inhibited by her choice of wrist wear. It is framed with a full round of brilliant white diamonds on the bezel, 64 pieces to be exact, nearing a carat in total weight.

The crown at the 3 o’clock position is not just functional, but it adds to the total aesthetics of the piece as well with a sizable 3mm diamond to add on to its glamour.

The iridescent and shimmery blue mother-of-pearl dial is as eye-catching as it could be; in the day, it resembles clouds in the sky, and in the night it gives shine to the diamonds surrounding it. Made meticulously by the manufactory’s own dial maker in Pforzheim, the fragile nature of mother-of-pearl demands that it be handled with extreme care. The back of the mother-of-pearl is coated with a layer of lacquer to achieve the desired blue on the PanoMatic Luna; however, each timepiece still remains unique due to the natural textures and hues of the mother-of-pearl harvested from the innermost layer of sea shells.

On the characteristic off-center hour and minute display, the white gold hands tell the time, accompanied by 18 pieces of diamonds set across the nine rod-shaped hour-marker indexes. The words “Glashütte I/SA” can be seen above the petite seconds subdial. Any watch that bears these words must have at least 50% of its movement components made in Glashütte. The PanoMatic Luna’s movement is made by in-house by the experienced watchmakers of Glashütte Original in the renowned Saxony state.

The moon phase display sits at the 2 o’clock position on the dial. It’s interesting cut-out shape of the window exemplifies the skillfully executed finishing on the overall.

The elegant oval-shaped date window mimics the curvature of the round case, sitting harmoniously on the bottom right of dial, featuring the unmistakable element of the Panorama Date, based on two dial discs showing the jumping date digital display.

We really liked the thoughtfully designed curved lugs, as that allows the watch to rest well on a ladies petite wrist despite the near-40mm case size.

The PanoMatic Luna comes with a mellow, azure blue Louisiana alligator leather strap with light blue stitching that balances the bling-factor of the watch well. The entire ensemble looks pleasing to the eye, as the dial remains the center of attraction.

The movement

In the heart of the PanoMatic Luna is the Calibre 90-12 running at a 28,800 vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of 42 hours.

The movement is exquisitely executed with Glashütte-stripe finishing and bevelled edges, adored with both polished and blued screws, adding to the dynamic contrast to some of the visible 47 jewels.

To achieve the cornflower blue on the screws, they were first polished until glossy, then put through heat of about 290°C. This natural process sees these tiny screws change colour from grey to red then finally to the desired eye-catching blue.

The off-center skeletonized rotor highlights the double-G logo that is made from 21 carat gold. The gold complements the main feature at the caseback, the balance wheel elaborate duplex swan-neck regulator. The balance uses an Anachron spring and is protected by an Incablock shock absorber.

Concluding thoughts

Glashütte Original timepieces can be easily recognised by its characteristic designs and the PanoMatic Luna for ladies is no exception. This piece is designed for those who would prefer an uncommon ladies’ dress watch with glamorous details without being overwhelming, boosted with a well-finished, high quality movement.

This is also a piece that one has to see for themselves in the flesh and to try on the wrist, to be able to appreciate how the mother-of-pearl dial and the diamonds play with its surrounding light. And who knows, it might just be difficult to resist walking out of the boutique without getting a matching-couple dress watch for yourself too.

Technical Specifications and Price

Reference: 1-90-12-03-12-02 with stainless steel buckle
Case: 39.4 mm
Height: 12 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Strap: 19/16 mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Glass: Sapphire crystal, both sides anti-reflective
Bottom: Sapphire crystal
Dial: Display 31.15mm, blue mother-of-pearl dial with 18 diamonds
Hands: White gold
Strap: Louisiana Alligator leather strap grey-blue, easily interchangeable, with a spring catch at the back of the strap

Diamonds
Crown: 1 (approx. 0.10 ct)
Dial: 18 (approx. 0.04 ct)
Bezel: 64 (approx. 0.95 ct)
Total: 83 (approx. 1.09 ct)

Recommended Retail Price: S$31,700