Glashütte Original launches the Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph, a limited-edition, North America-exclusive watch combining German engineering, retro 1970s design, and a striking panda dial
There’s something about the 1970s that just won’t quit. From louche conversation pits and pastel pool decks to Porsche Targas and oversize sunglasses, the decade continues to seduce designers across different industries. In watchmaking, few brands have leaned into that era’s charm quite as successfully, or as consistently, as Glashütte Original with its Seventies line.

The Seventies ‘X’ features a panda dial and red accents in a softened-square stainless steel case.

This latest release, the Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph, is a limited-edition model available exclusively in North America. Just 100 pieces are being produced, making it a relatively rare bird from a brand that doesn’t do regional exclusives all that often and has never done made one solely for the U.S. before. The watch keeps much of what fans already appreciate about the Seventies Chronograph, namely its 40mm rounded-square case, in-house flyback chronograph movement, and impeccable German finishing, but adds a high-contrast panda dial and a few small anniversary tweaks.

A Decade of Design: The 1970s Inspiration Behind the Seventies ‘X’

Launched in 2015, the Seventies Chronograph has always stood apart from the usual suspects. Its softened-square silhouette and retro-modern aesthetic offer something different. It is less pure tool watch, more weekend car rally. While it may not be for everyone (the square case is still somewhat polarizing), it’s undeniably confident in its identity. This ‘X’ edition doubles down on that confidence with a clean white lacquer dial, black subdials with vinyl-like texture, and bright red accents marking the 10-minute and seconds counters, a subtle nod to the line’s 10-year run.

Glashütte Original Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph on the wrist: confident, clean, and distinctively retro-modern.

The aesthetic clearly draws from the golden age of analog – think vintage stereo equipment and muscle car dashboards – but it doesn’t feel like a pastiche. There’s enough restraint here to keep things refined. It’s a design that nods to nostalgia without veering into parody.

Within the case, the in-house Calibre 37-02 remains a standout: an automatic column-wheel chronograph with a flyback function, 70-hour power reserve, Panorama Date, and the sort of traditional finishing that’s more typical of German high watchmaking than mass-market sports models. Flip it over and you’ll see the full show through the display caseback: blued screws, beveled edges, a skeletonized rotor, and that trademark three-quarter plate adorned with Glashütte stripes.

Inside the Case: Movement, Finishing, and Functionality

On the wrist, it wears much like its predecessors, substantial but not bulky, and surprisingly versatile. It ships with both a stainless steel bracelet and a rubber strap, allowing it to toggle between city polish and vacation casual. It’s easy to imagine this watch paired with linen shirts and loafers on a Miami balcony, but it won’t feel out of place tucked under a blazer, either.

Exclusive in Every Way: North America-Only, Limited to 100 Pieces

That said, this release feels more like a style evolution than a technical leap. If you’ve already got a Seventies Chronograph – or any panda-dial chrono, for that matter – this might not feel like a must-have. But if you’re a fan of the brand, or have been waiting for a more playful take on the model, the ‘X’ makes a compelling case. It’s distinctive without trying too hard, retro without being kitschy, and, importantly, it’s unmistakably Glashütte.

At a time when many watchmakers are leaning into vintage-inspired releases, this one stands out for doing so with a bit more personality. It may be a nod to the past, but it feels refreshingly current. The watch you wear with vintage Persols, barefoot on a Miami balcony, this is German engineering in vacation mode.

Tech Specs: Glashütte Original Seventies ‘X’ Chronograph – North America Edition
Movement: Calibre 37-02 automatic, column-wheel chronograph; 4 Hz; 70-hour power reserve
Functions: Central hours and minutes; flyback chronograph; 30-min counter at 3 o’clock; Panorama Date at 6 o’clock; small seconds with power reserve display at 9 o’clock; 12-hour counter at 12 o’clock; stop-seconds
Case: 40mm x 40mm stainless steel; sapphire crystal caseback; water resistant to 100m
Dial: White lacquer, black galvanised subdials; red 10-minute marker and red central chronograph hand
Strap: Stainless steel with fine adjustment; additional black rubber strap with folding clasp
Price: USD 17,900
Availability: 100 pieces available through North American authorized dealers