I must admit I do have a soft spot for Mühle-Glashütte as a brand. They don’t have the same name recognition as many of the other Saxon brands like A. Lange & Söhne or Glashütte Original but that doesn’t stop them from producing some really nice watches. With a heritage in maritime pieces it’s their aquatic themed watches that really stand out like the S.A.R Rescue Timer and the 29er. The 29er is the focus for today as they’ve just launched the Mühle-Glashütte 29er Big Small Seconds 1994 Edition.
If you’re not nautically knowledgeable, a 29er is a specific class of sailing boat, a two-person high-performance racing boat to be specific, often raced in junior classifications. So, the vibe of the 29er wristwatch is all about sunny days out on the marina enjoying the waves. It rides a careful line between being sporty and classy. With 100m of water resistance and a 42.4mm stainless steel case it’s reasonably robust, suitable for use around (but probably not below) the waves.
However, the display itself is fairly refined in shades of blue. Baton hour markers circle the dark dial with a peripheral minute scale in bright blue and for the first time ever a small seconds subdial. The small seconds is a light blue colour and the hand matches the minute scale. The use of blue, aside from being appropriately nautical, is a reference to the brand’s signature colour.
That’s because the 1994 series, which includes an S.A.R Rescue Timer and Big 29er Bronze edition as well as the 29er Big Small Seconds 1994, is a 30th anniversary collection celebrating the modern iteration of the brand. In celebration of this fact, the 30 numerals on the subdial and date disk are highlighted in blue. I say modern version of the brand because Mühle-Glashütte was nationalised during the upheaval eastern Germany experienced during the 20th century.
That past is acknowledged in the design of this watch too. Mühle-Glashütte can actually trace their heritage pre-war all the way back to 1869 and the works of Robert Mühle, which makes 2024 the 155th anniversary of the original founding of the brand. As such, the 55 numeral on the minute scale has been replaced with 155. The watch is also a limited edition of 155 pieces and priced at £1,900 (if only it was £1,550 to complete the theme).
Inside, the watch houses the SW 261-1 automatic movement, a Sellita movement adapted by Mühle with a shockproof woodpecker neck regulator for improved regulation and accuracy. It has a 41-hour power reserve, which is supplied by a Mühle rotor that’s visible through the exhibition caseback. If you’re looking for a versatile timepiece that can keep up with you from the office to the marina, look no further.
Price and Specs:
More details at Mühle-Glashütte.
