Auch verfügbar auf Deutsch

I have been looking for a watch that embodies and successfully combines two essential characteristics. Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review.

Let‘s take the public life: evening appearances at events or family occasions. For me, wearing the right watch is part of the job: it has to be elegant and modern, but should never be too thick, but rather convey the values that make it what it is – precision, functionality and quality. My antithesis to this: sport. I love riding my mountain bike through the lonely mountain forests to switch off, clear my head and recharge my batteries. The watch on my wrist has to be able to withstand a lot. It has to be robust, withstand the shocks of the uneven ground and offer good readability – a sporty chronograph. 

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review
Photo: WATCHDAVID®

Sportiness and elegance all in one, as well as good quality and always functional. Unfortunately, I think that few watch manufacturers manage to combine all these requirements. In the past, I have handled this in the following way: another occasion, another watch. But there is a much simpler way, isn’t there?

For the many desperate among you: I think I have a solution with a special edition included! It comes from the German manufacturer Mühle-Glashütte and is a real all-rounder. In the model range, the chronograph is situated between the noble Teutonia models and the sporty instrument watches. But let yourself be surprised…

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review – The first impression

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review
Photo: WATCHDAVID®

At the beginning I tried to classifiy the watch. But the Lunova Chronograph doesn’t really want to fit anywhere, because it seems to combine several things. The functionally designed dial with its spirited orange appliqués and the anthracite-colored gradient makes a sporty impression. At the same time, the partly polished and brushed case and the brown leather strap also look very elegant and stylish, especially on my wrist. What now? I hold the watch in my hands and look at it. The workmanship is on the highest level, the readability of the dial leaves nothing to be desired and the Lunova Chronograph looks beautiful as well. Nevertheless, I want to find out more about what the watch of the Saxon manufacture can do, what makes it so special and how it manages the balancing act between elegance and sportiness. 

READ MORE:  Hanhart PRIMUS Desert Pilot

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review – The case…

…must be able to withstand influences in the first place. I’m talking less about everyday business and more about my mountain bike tours, which I just mentioned. The Lunova Chronograph is made of stainless steel. Mühle has used several processing variants here, so we find the stainless steel on the front polished, while the case back is brushed and has a more technical appearance. The dimensions are quite impressive: a diameter of 42.3 millimetres and a height of 14.2 millimetres speak! With the case, the Lunova Chronograph does not look shy on the wrist. The workmanship makes a very good impression, which is not only because of the excellent choice of materials, but also the typical Mühle quality. The case back has a glass window with the best view of the impressive movement, but more about this later. The Lunova Chronograph has a screw-down crown, which has a good grip and a reasonable size. 

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review
Photo: WATCHDAVID®

If you are looking for a watch that has no problem with mud, dirt, dust, salt water or rain, you don’t need to have any concerns with the Lunova Chronograph. Mühle has sapphire crystal on both sides, of course this is absolutely scratch-resistant. The good readability, a sign of functionality, is guaranteed by an anti-reflective coating of the sapphire crystal. In addition, the case is waterproof up to a pressure of 10 bar, i.e. to a depth of 100 meters. So the question of whether damage could occur as soon as you do sports or other activities with the watch does not arise. Then let’s get on the bike.

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review – Das movement

What the clock promises on the outside, should also be found inside. The Lunova Chronograph fulfills its high expectations and shows them. The heart of this Mühle chronograph consists of a MU 9413 automatic movement, which is equipped with some refinements. I am thinking for example of the patented woodpecker neck regulator. This is a counterpressure spring reminiscent of a woodpecker neck, which absorbs shocks from outside and ensures that the movement runs precisely. This robustness is unique, it must be acknowledged without envy. oNw I should really be ready for the roots in the mountain forest. 

READ MORE:  Teutonia II Kleine Sekunde Review
Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review
Photo: WATCHDAVID®

Not to forget other important key data: The power reserve is 48 hours. But I don’t care, since I’m wearing the watch every day anyway. The MU 9413 has a second stop mechanism and a quick date correction. The Glashütte manufactory refines its automatic movement with its own three-quarter plate and rotor. The surface design looks incredibly stylish and made of high-quality, as you can see through the sufficiently large viewing window. The case back is refined by Mühle engravings that mark the specifications.

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review – The dial

The dial is symbolic of how Mühle manages to combine elegance and sportiness without losing its typical precision and functionality. Despite the main dial, three totalizers and date and weekday display, no information is lost here. The design of the Lunova Chronograph is always clear, sporty and modern. The main dial is read with rectangular markers and Arabic numerals for even hours. Only 12 and 6 o’clock fall victim to the three sporty and noble totalizers. These are at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock and indicate the 12-hour time, the half-hour time and the small second. Date and weekday windows are set at 3 o’clock. 

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review
Photo: WATCHDAVID®

My two personal highlights: The vignette-like gradient of the color of the dial. Still black at the edge, it gets lighter and lighter towards the inside. That looks high-quality and sporty at the same time. There is no better way to combine these extremes. The orange appliqués also bring more temperament to the otherwise rather cool design. 

The hour markers and hands are filled with Super-LumiNova luminous material and show a completely different side of the Lunova Chronograph in the dark. 

From where the name is derived …

That should now be obvious, in the truest sense of the word. Lunova is a portmanteau word that contains the words “lumen” (lat. light, shine) and “novus” (new, fresh). No wonder if you think about the polished, noble case, the white markings and the glow in the dark. 

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review
Photo: WATCHDAVID®

The bracelet

The bracelet is made of brown leather and has a crocodile look. A small but fine detail: the name of the Saxon manufacture is engraved on the pin buckle. I have been wearing the watch every day for quite some time now and I am extremely satisfied with the wearing comfort. 

READ MORE:  S.A.R. Rescue-Timer „SK Hamburg“

Special edition with a connection to home

May I recommend something else very special to you? Mühle-Glashütte has released an exclusive edition of the Lunova Chronograph, the “Edition Sachsen” (german for Edition Saxony). The occasion is the 150th anniversary of Mühle-Glashütte, which has been producing watches since its foundation in Glashütte in Saxony. The “Edition Sachsen” is, like the normal version, also handmade. The difference is mainly the colouring. The dial including its totalizers has a special gradient: the color changes from a dark gray-black tone at the edge to a vivid green in the middle. This is indeed daring. But this “risk” is worth the effort. In my opinion, Mühle has done a very good job of implementing this. Whoever wants to have it more exclusive, likes and appreciates a striking watch, will be happy with the “Edition Sachsen”. Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review.

https://www.ddv-lokal.de/ddv-lokal-exklusiv/muehle-glashuette/

The leather strap has a grey tone. Since I just spoke of exclusivity: the special edition is limited to 75 pieces. If you wish, you can have your watch embossed with your initials.

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review
Photo: WATCHDAVID®

Conclusion

Why does Mühle-Glashütte hit the bull’s eye with the Lunova Chronograph, combining sportiness and elegance in such a harmonious way? The answer cannot be found in one example alone. There are several factors that come together here. There is the functional design with its good readability, the very sporty totalizers and the high-quality workmanship. Then there is the case, which has a classic and minimalist look. Last but not least, there is the movement, its exceptional quality and reliability and the presentation behind the viewing window. 

The Lunova Chronograph can fulfill itself so many requirements at the same time. If you want to experience this, I can only recommend to wear the watch on your wrist. The Lunova Chronograph is a companion that one does not want to give up again. The price is 2990€. For this you get an extraordinary watch. 

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review
Photo: WATCHDAVID®

Mühle-Glashütte Lunova Chronograph Review Galerie – Photos: WATCHDAVID®

Mühle-Glashütte & Lunova Chronograph:

https://www.muehle-glashuette.de

https://www.muehle-glashuette.de/armbanduhren/funktionale-armbanduhren/lunova-chronograph/

Technical Details

NameMühle Glashütte Lunova Chronograph

Reference number M1-28-62-KB.

BrandMühle-Glashütte

Categorychronographs

Price from2990 Euro

WarrantyN/A

Case Material316L stainless steel

Diameter42.00 mm

High14.20 mm

Watch Glassanti-reflective coating / Sapphire Crystal

Watch TypeAutomatic

Waterproof10 bar (100 m / 330 ft)

Movement NameMU 9413

Power Reserve48 hours

Functions12 hours counter / 30 minute counter / hour / Minute / second / small second

Dialgrey

Indicesarabic indices

Special FeaturesSwiss Super-LumiNova®

Bezelgrey / stainless steel

Bracelet Colorbrown

Bracelet Materialleather

Clasp316L stainless steel / pin buckle

Auch verfügbar auf Deutsch

1 COMMENT

Comments are closed.