Thin, stylish and practical - what more do you need?
In 1869 Robert Mühle established a family company producing precise measuring instruments for the local clock and watch industry in the town of Glashütte, situated in the Free State of Saxony. In 1994 the company evolved into what we know today as “Mühle-Glashütte GmbH, Nautische Instrumente und Feinmechanik”. Since that date, they have continued to produce high-quality wristwatches, marine chronometers and nautical instruments.
The Mühle Glashütte 29er Casual - Image Credit: Mühle Glashütte
Mühle-Glashütte made its first 29er watch in 2006, naming after a small two-person performance sailing dinghy derived from an Olympic racing 49er skiff. This year they enhanced the 29er range by releasing the 29er Casual, with a case height of just 9.35 millimetres, making it the flattest watch in the current Mühle portfolio.
The 2020 issue 29er Casual has a substantial stainless-steel case diameter of 42.4 millimetres giving it real presence but with the reduced height, it will slip effortlessly under a suit jacket. The defining quality of the 29er range is its trademark combination of contrasting surface finishes. The case is polished and the smooth bezel features both a brushed top surface and finely polished sides. This play between polished and matt surfaces creates different light reflections, inspired by sparkling light on water.
The 29er Casual is powered by a Selitta SW 300-1 movement which Mühle has heavily modified with bespoke parts including the balance cock and rotor. The movement has a maximum height of only 3.6 millimetres. After assembly, every Mühle movement is regulated in six positions. The complex procedure is based on the German chronometer standard and ensures that every watch maintains a precision of between 0 and +8 seconds per day.
The Mühle Glashütte 29er Casual - Image Credit: Mühle Glashütte
Technical Details:
Case: Brushed/polished stainless steel. Transparent case back.
Dimensions: Diameter 42.4 mm; height 9.35 mm.
Crystal: Anti-glare sapphire.
Crown: Screw-in.
Movement: SW 300-1, automatic; Mühle modified version with patented woodpecker neck regulation, rotor and embellished surface finishes. Stop-second.
Power reserve:42-hr power reserve.
Water-resistance: 10 Bar.
Strap: Textile or leather strap with a stainless-steel pin buckle.
Dial: Navy blue. Applied indices. Hour markers and hands coated in Super LumiNova.
Price: In the region of £1,630 pre-order
A personal perspective
I have always admired the supreme legibility of the Mühle-Glashütte 29er Zeigerdatum and the striking looks of the Tag Datum, especially the model with a grey dial and matching fabric strap. These instantly recognisable watches have a sophisticated strong nautical presence but look equally at home with a smart suit, casual wear or while you command the wheel of a 30m sailing yacht. Of course, what differentiates the 29er Casual from all previous models is the case thickness which at 9.35mm is 3mm neater than other 29er models. The crystal case back allows you to fully appreciate the new Mühle modified movement and the trademark fine finishing will make the reverse of the watch as much a feature as the dial.
The new issue 29er Casual has the potential to be a very versatile watch which will certainly look good in any scenario. Given the 24/7 wear potential and fine workmanship associated with Mühle the price is very reasonable and we look forward to a hands-on session with one when they are available.
