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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Glashütte Original’s official sources do not document an enamel dial process. The brand’s dial-manufactory page describes its own dial production in detail, covering blank selection, machining, colour finishes, pad printing, hand-applied elements and staged inspection, but it never identifies a dial as enamel or describes enamelling. The Senator Meissen dial, which Glashütte Original produced with MEISSEN, is porcelain. Grand Feu enamel is a separate technique that Girard-Perregaux describes for its own dials. This article sets out what Glashütte Original documents, and keeps that separate from the methods of other makers.
How Glashütte Original dials are made
The brand’s dial-manufactory page, which says its dial manufactory in Glashütte officially opened in June 2025, sets out the workflow in order. The steps below follow that account. (Glashütte Original dial manufactory)
1. Choosing the blank
Dial blanks are selected according to the properties and colour the dial needs. The materials the brand names are German silver, bronze and brass. Sterling silver and solid gold are used in special cases.
2. Punching, milling and fitting the blank
Specialists punch the blank and attach temporary positioning cams. They then mill the holes and recesses for hands, indexes or displays, and bring the blank to its final diameter. Once the milling is finished, the cams are removed, the dial is cleaned, and dial feet are attached. The feet position the dial on the movement.
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- Unique Watches for Men: The enamel dial features a gradient crack pattern, adding uniqueness to the watch face. The screw-in crown and case back enhance its water resistance. A date window is located at the 6 o'clock position. With 60 second markers, it allows for more precise timekeeping
- Precision Movement: Japanese 8215 mechanical movement, with a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz), hacking seconds device, One-Way automatic winding and manual winding, 24 jewels, and a 41-hour power reserve
- Easy Reader Watch: The K1 mineral glass crystal is ten times harder than regular mineral glass, paired with a Swiss anti-reflective blue coating, ensuring clear visibility even in bright conditions. The BGW9 super luminova blue glow allows for easy time reading in the dark
- Versatile Man Wrist Watch: With 100 M waterproof, it can be worn in rainy, for showering, surfing, swimming,but is not recommended for snorkeling or diving. Its elegant and minimalist design makes it suitable as a business watch for formal occasions such as parties, dinners, gatherings, and business meetings. By switching to a waffle or nylon strap, it can be transformed into a casual watch for daily wear, work, travel, and outdoor activities
- Size: Case diameter is 39 mm, with a lug length of 48 mm, a thickness of 13 mm, and a lug width of 20 mm. The micro-adjustable fold-over clasp allows you to adjust the watch to the perfect fit, seamlessly suiting your wrist
3. Colour by electroplating or lacquer
Glashütte Original describes two colour methods for these dials. In galvanising, a metallic layer is applied evenly by electrolysis. In the lacquer method, lacquer is sprayed on by hand and then oven-dried. The brand says both operations take place in clean rooms, which reduces particle contamination. Neither description refers to enamelling.
4. Pad printing the lettering
Printing uses pad printing. Paint is placed in recessed lettering or numeral shapes on a plate, and the excess is scraped away. A small air-filled pad then picks up the paint and transfers it to the dial. The process can be repeated in layers to build up the markings.
5. Applying indexes and luminous details
Applied elements, including indexes and luminous details, are placed by hand.
6. Inspection and dispatch
Inspections take place after blank production, after surface pressing, after drilling, before and after pad printing, and at final inspection. Accepted dials are vacuum-sealed and sent to the main building.
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- Seagull ST3621 Hand-Wound Mechanical Movement – 17 jewels, 18,000 bph, with a power reserve of approximately 36–40 hours. A reliable manual movement well suited to everyday wear.
- Classic Small Seconds At 6 O’Clock – Features a clean two-hand dial with a sub-dial for small seconds at 6 o’clock. Paired with polished metal hands, the white enamel or salmon sunburst finish delivers a refined, minimalist look for dress, business, and casual wear.
- Durable 316L Stainless Steel & Sapphire Glass – Robust 316L surgical-grade steel case with a 41mm diameter and 11mm thickness, paired with double-domed sapphire crystal glass. Anti-reflective blue coating on inner surface ensures excellent readability in all lighting. Comfortable Genuine Leather Strap – Fitted with a high-quality
- Comfortable and snug leather strap – Equipped with a high-quality leather strap, the standard 20mm width provides a soft and comfortable feel while maintaining a secure fit on the wrist, making it ideal for everyday wear. Its convenient quick-release design makes changing straps effortless, allowing you to easily create a variety of distinct looks for your timepiece.
- Exhibition Case Back & Dual Dial Options – Show off the movement through the transparent exhibition case back. Choose between crisp white enamel or rich salmon oil-pressed dial, both delivering a modern, stylish aesthetic for any occasion.
Other finishes the brand describes
One older finish is documented separately. In the traditional friction silver-plating method, a gold dial blank is engraved and the engravings are filled with black lacquer. The dial is then fired. A mixture of fine silver powder, salt and water is rubbed onto the surface with a brush. The brand describes this as a fired, silver-plated finish. It does not call it an enamel-dial process.
A currently listed example of the galvanised finish is the Sixties 1-39-52-04-02-04 on the brand’s site.
Porcelain, enamel and Glashütte Original’s dials compared
Three different methods are involved, and they are often grouped together under the word “enamel.” The table compares what each maker documents. Where a source is silent on a point, the cell says so.
| Attribute | Glashütte Original documented dials | Senator Meissen (porcelain) | Girard-Perregaux Grand Feu enamel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base material | German silver, bronze or brass; sterling silver or solid gold in special cases (dial manufactory page) | Thin porcelain disc (Glashütte Original product page) | Not stated in the Girard-Perregaux source |
| How colour or decoration is applied | Electroplating by electrolysis; lacquer sprayed by hand; pad printing for lettering | Decoration and lettering applied by hand in layers (product page; Swatch Group 2025 account) | Enamel applied in layers |
| Firing | Described only for the friction silver-plated gold finish; not stated for galvanised or lacquered dials | Disc fired at 1,400°C; each decoration layer fired at 900°C (Glashütte Original product page) | Each layer fired; five to ten applications and firings typical (Girard-Perregaux) |
| Finish and defects | Friction finish rubbed with fine silver powder, salt and water; inspections at multiple stages | Not stated in the product page | Bubbles, cracks or other defects can cause a dial to be discarded (Girard-Perregaux) |
| What the maker calls the technique | Galvanised, lacquered or pad-printed dial; enamel is not named | Porcelain | Grand Feu enamel |
Senator Meissen: a porcelain dial
The Senator Meissen is expressly described as porcelain. Glashütte Original says its thin porcelain disc is fired at 1,400°C, and that hand-applied decoration and lettering are built up in layers, each fired at 900°C. The 2025 Swatch Group account of the Glashütte Original x MEISSEN collaboration independently describes razor-thin porcelain discs and hand-painted, kiln-fired decoration. Both sources describe porcelain. Neither describes enamel. The Senator Meissen product page is the brand’s own description of the piece.
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- Unique Watch: The enamel dial features a gradient crack pattern. The screw-in crown and case back enhance its water resistance. A date window is located at the 6 o'clock position. With 60 second markers, it allows for more precise timekeeping
- Precision Movement: Japanese 8215 mechanical movement, with a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz), hacking seconds device, One-Way automatic winding and manual winding, 21 jewels, and a 41-hour power reserve
- Easy Read Watch: The K1 mineral glass is several times harder than regular mineral glass, paired with a Swiss AR coating, ensuring clear visibility even in bright conditions. The BGW9 super lume blue glow allows for easy time reading in the dark
- Versatile Wrist Watch: With 100 m waterproof, it can be worn in rainy, for showering, surfing, swimming. Its elegant and minimalist design makes it suitable as a casual watch for daily wear, work, travel, and outdoor activities
- Size: Case diameter 39 mm, lug to lug 48 mm, thickness 13 mm, lug width 20 mm, 81g. Lightweight FKM strap, fits wrists up to 8.5 inches, perfect fit for a variety of wearing needs
Grand Feu enamel at Girard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux describes its own Grand Feu enamelling in its Art of Enamelling account. It says enamel is applied in layers and fired each time, and that five to ten applications and firings are typical. It also says that bubbles, cracks or other defects can lead to a dial being discarded. This is Girard-Perregaux’s method and should not be attributed to Glashütte Original. It is included here because it is the most detailed enamel description in the reviewed sources, and it shows what a Grand Feu process involves.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Figures and statements from the brand
The dial-manufactory page says: “A typical dial can go through up to 75 work steps,” followed by final inspection. The page gives no publication year for this figure, so it should be read as the brand’s current statement rather than a dated measurement.
The page also says: “In the new dial manufactory in Glashütte, which was officially opened in June 2025, Glashütte Original has concentrated a high level of expertise that guarantees the high quality and flawless beauty of its dials.” This is corporate copy. No individual speaker or role is named.
No dated, named-person statement about an enamel-dial process from Glashütte Original appears in the sources reviewed.
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How to check a dial’s finish
If you want to know how a specific Glashütte Original dial is finished, these are the checks that the sources support:
Quick Recap
- Read the product page’s dial description. Look for the terms the brand actually uses, such as galvanised, lacquered, pad-printed or porcelain.
- Treat “enamel” as an unconfirmed term for a Glashütte Original dial unless the brand itself uses it.
- If a dial is described as porcelain, do not treat it as enamel. Porcelain is a different material and a different process.
- When a dial is described as Grand Feu, check which manufacturer is making that claim. Girard-Perregaux’s description of its own process does not apply to other brands.
- Ask the boutique or the brand for the dial’s material and finishing method if the product page is unclear.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
