Exquisite timepiece in red gold The Senator Meissen “Cherry Blossom” is one of Glashütte Original’s exclusive atelier commissions. Each of these exquisite timepieces is assembled and regulated entirely by a single watchmaker. A flat 40-mm red gold case frames the hand-painted dial, where the solid gold hour and minute hands take center stage. A dark blue Louisiana alligator leather strap with a red gold clasp completes this elegant creation. Blossoms painted by master hands Nature-inspired motifs have a long tradition in fine ceramics. At MEISSEN, Europe’s first porcelain manufactory, flowers and leaves were already being painted onto its precious creations during the 18th century. In addition to exotic plants, native cherry blossoms, with their white and pink splendor, are also a popular motif. Today, Glashütte Original, in collaboration with MEISSEN, brings them to life on the dial of a watch that showcases the expertise and craftsmanship of these two Saxon manufactories: the Senator Meissen “Cherry Blossom.” Strictly guarded formulas The porcelain dial is crafted in the MEISSEN workshops in the famous town of Meissen where centuries of history, craftsmanship and beauty meet. It is only 0.8 mm thick, which makes the manufacturing process extremely challenging. An in-house colour laboratory with closely guarded formulas forms the basis for the delicate floral motif, which stands out vividly against the light background. Experienced porcelain painters apply the colours using fine brushes. Layer by layer, the dial is fired in a kiln at 900° C to achieve the desired depth of colour. Precision and robustness Behind the understated two-hand design lies a sophisticated mechanical movement. The manufactory Calibre 36 is a superlative automatic movement that combines precision and robustness with an outstanding running time of 100 hours and exquisite finishes. It beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and is equipped with an anti-magnetic, temperature-resistant silicon balance spring.