Glashutte Original Sport Evolution Impact: Luxury Watches That Keep Shocks At Bay
Keeping watch movements safe from shock has been a focus of horology since at least the 18th century, when the great horologist Breguet came up with his “Parechute” absorber for the balance. Glashutte Original has make a feature of shock absorption technology in their new Sport Evolution Impact watch models, cleverly incorporating flexible elastomer elements that keep the movement insulated from potentially damaging forces.
The polymer cushions placed strategically around the movement and dial are claimed by Glashutte Original to absorb up to 60% of “external impact forces”. And, it looks good too: the red elastomer supports have been made an attractive design element of the watches, lending subtle extra flair to the spicy good looks which have made the Sport Evolution watches among the most popular in the stable of the German watch manufacturer.
Will Glashutte’s Impact technology deliver on its marketing claims and make the Sport Evolution watches even better as luxury watches truly suited for active wear? While time will be needed to find out, the concept certainly seems sound. While it might seem a bit silly to offer such over-engineering on a masterpiece like a tourbillon (one of the two Sports Impact watches to first use the system) I think it’s actually quite a good idea, as this is the just the kind of potentially fragile complication that can benefit from additional protection. This is all the more valid for those connoisseurs who enjoy wearing such elite watchmaking specialties on a daily basis.
Actually, when you get down to the nitty gritty, even the more basic movements are quite the little micro-mechanical wonders that perform day in and day out under remarkable stresses for us. With that in mind, a little such useful over-engineering can’t be anything but a good thing.
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