Among the trends that we have discovered at Baselworld this year is the prominent use of neo-vintage styling for new releases. As far as Glashütte Original was concerned, the 1960s in particular have clearly inspired its the newest watch lines.

One is the standard three-hand Sixties model, and the second is the Sixties Panorama Date. Both watches feature dashing green dégradé dials (more on that later).

A stunning pair of “Sixties” models

Being vintage inspired, the watches are modestly sized and once again on trend with what we’ve been seeing at Basel: relatively smaller case sizes. As a result, the Sixties and the Sixties Panorama Date are being marketed for both men and women. Give their captivating looks, I have the feeling the new models can be competitive in both markets.

In another nod to retro styling, these models have domed sapphire crystals, curved hands and idiosyncratic Arabic numerals. All that simply enhances the visually impressive dial, whose shade varies from a lighter green colour at the centre to the darker green periphery of the dial.

The dials also feature a finely textured surface achieved with the help of a 60-tonne press, which has been used to imprint the intricate pattern of a guilloche stamp.

The beautiful dial of the Sixties Panorama Date

As for the unique dégradé effect, it first includes the application of a galvanic base coat, followed by layers of coloured lacquer. Black lacquer is then carefully applied and depending on the angle at which the gun is held an individual colour gradient is achieved that makes each dial unique. In a final step, the lacquered dials are fired at high temperature to burn in the colour.

So once again we get a lot of quality from the German watchmaker. And it’s really no surprise since the company has its own dial manufactory -which was actually owned formerly by the Swatch Group.

While the look of the watches is retro, their power plants are certainly up to today’s standards of timekeeping precision and reliability. The standard model runs on the automatic 39-47 movement while the Date model uses the 39-52 variant.

You can’t go wrong with either option, and I’m a little bit torn myself. I like the smaller size of the 39mm three-hand model, compared to the 42mm diameter of the date model. At the same time, I do like the signature Glashütte Original Panorama Date, which gives the feeling of a more stately and elegant watch.