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The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport is the sporty edition of the model series. With totalisers, a stainless steel case, massive dimensions and a carbon bezel, the watch offers everything what real watch enthusiasts desire. Is this the perfect watch for a man?
The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport – a daily rocker?
Union Glashütte has stood for affordable luxury for more than 125 years. The timepieces, which are priced in the low four-digit range, i.e. between 1000 and 4000 euros, are therefore made to be worn on the wrist as daily rockers. It goes without saying that the traditional Glashütte brand focuses on premium quality and good design.
The Belisar chronograph family is extremely diverse and offers mechanical watches in a wide variety of versions – from classically elegant to aviator chronographs, there is everything for watch lovers. This member of the Belisar family has the sportiest genes and therefore self-explanatorily goes by the name Belisar Chronograph Sport. The self-confident chronograph with the reference number D009.927.26.207.00 in the 44-millimetre format aims to combine sportiness with classic elegance, functionality and a good price-performance ratio. Your ideal companion for every day?
The first impression
The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport is a dynamic sportsman at first glance. Its strong contrasts contribute to this. Lots of black, lots of white and cool stainless steel in between. The dial is dominated by the clear vertical lines that run through it. The large and easy-to-read hour indices are applied to it. Three subdials, three pushers and a crown show that this watch wants to be prepared for all situations. The highlight, however, is the bezel, which is adorned with a carbon look. The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport is completely dedicated to performance – in every situation.
Different situations in life require different straps; that’s for sure! Three of them are included with the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport. I am currently wearing the robust-looking brown vintage strap made of calfskin. However, the sporty Belisar Chronograph can also be worn with a black textile strap or a rubber strap. Now that’s what I call features. An instruction manual comes with the watch. Here, the functions are clearly explained.
The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport on the wrist
Hands on! The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport is not an understated fashion watch. How could it be? With a diameter of 44 millimetres, the watch looks very self-confident on the wrist. After all, this is the kind of self-confidence a men’s chronograph should display. In addition to the diameter, the height is just over 15 millimetres. That’s not exactly small, but it creates very harmonious proportions. Visually, the watch appears flatter.
The masculine timepiece knows very well how to find the balance between sportiness and elegance. As a functional and non-playful watch, the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport fits on the wrist for any occasion. The three straps are also helpful.
The case: made in Glashütte
You can see and feel the Glashütte watchmaking craftsmanship. The watches from the East German Erzgebirge know how to impress with good materials and impeccable workmanship. The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport is no exception. Its case is round and has curved surfaces that merge into the lugs. It is made of stainless steel, which is mostly satin-finished, but also polished in places. This gives the watch a functional look. What I find innovative are the sides. Here, the stainless steel of the case is covered by a rubber protection. So if you want to take the Belisar Chronograph Sport out into nature, you don’t have to worry about scratches. I have never seen this solution before.
To ensure that the dial remains intact, Union Glashütte equips its Belisar Chronograph Sport with a watch glass made of high-quality and resistant sapphire. The sapphire crystal is curved, which makes the watch look even narrower and sportier at the edges. I praise the anti-reflective coating on both sides. This makes the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport look even better. It also makes the dial very easy to read.
A small highlight is the screwed case back, which will convince all watch lovers. Union Glashütte equips the watch with a generous viewing window through which you can admire the movement and rotor. Other specifications are neatly engraved on the rim. The chronograph is water-resistant to a depth of 100 metres. This has almost diving qualities and underlines the sportiness.
All functions at a glance
Let’s take a closer look at the functions of the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport. The crown at 3 o’clock is quite flat and easy to operate thanks to its fluted sides. It is pulled open in position one, and the time is set in position two: seconds, minutes, hours and date. However, the date can be set much more quickly using the pusher at 10 o’clock. The pusher at 2 o’clock is responsible for stopping the seconds. There is a zeroing pusher at 4 o’clock.
To make the watch easier to understand in everyday use, Union Glashütte has incorporated small engravings in the black lacquer of the crown and push-pieces. Stylised symbols (on/off, reset and calendar) decorate the surfaces and indicate which function is assigned to which pusher. The classic Union Glashütte “U” is emblazoned on the crown. Simple, but ingenious!
The movement of the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport
Unsurprisingly, Union Glashütte gives its Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport a UNG-27.01 Chronograph Datum automatic movement, which is based on a Valjoux movement and has been improved. It is assembled, regulated and controlled at the Glashütte site. Here, the watchmakers decorate it with their own bridges and the distinctive rotor including the company logo, which you can admire through the glass case back.
The power reserve of up to 60 hours is impressive, making the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport an enduring companion on the wrist.
Carbon for the dial
The dial is the most important component of a watch design. In the case of the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport, it is very functional, rich in contrast and yet very noble. Characteristic are the fine vertical lines that structure the dial and make it more interesting. Applied to it, in addition to indices and hands, are three totalisers and a date window at 6 o’clock, which maintains the symmetry. With a small second hand, a 12-hour counter and a 30-minute counter, everything important that a good men’s chronograph needs is on board. Despite their small size, the totalizers are still easy to read.
This also applies to the hour indices, which are appropriately large. They are lacquered white, polished at the edge and coated with luminous material for the dark. The Swiss Super-LumiNova® is evenly applied and glows strongly. The skeletonised hands are in the same design. They are also illuminated.
But perhaps the most defining design feature is the carbon bezel. And no, this is not just a matter of looks. Union Glashütte uses real carbon, whose chequerboard-like surface is usually seen in motor sports. Carbon is known for its hardness at a low weight. The carbon bezel is unique and can only be found on the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport.
Three bracelets for all occasions
When it comes to universality, no one can fool the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport. The traditional brand from Glashütte supplies the watch with the three straps mentioned above, each of which masters certain situations and occasions. Quickly put on the leather strap for business or dinner, then switch to the textile strap for leisure and go for the rubber version for sporting activities. That’s flexibility on the wrist! Changing the strap is easier than ever thanks to a quick-release fastener on the spring bars.
My personal favourite for everyday wear, however, is the rustic brown calfskin strap. On the upper side, it captivates with its vintage look. The underside, on the other hand, is black and particularly soft – luxury for the skin. The wearing comfort during my test days was more than satisfactory.
My conclusion on the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport
The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport is THE sporty watch for everyday wear. The chronograph leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to functionality, a confident appearance and quality craftsmanship. In addition, the reference number D009.927.26.207.00 is the sportiest of the Belisar chronographs. It convinces with a grandiose look that combines sporty elements with an elegance that is nevertheless present. It makes you stylishly confident in every situation. This is also due to the choice of three bracelets, where everyone will find something to suit them.
But it’s not just the look that’s right; Union Glashütte also does everything right in terms of quality. The workmanship is of the highest standard and matches the noble choice of materials. Union Glashütte’s recommended retail price is 2540 Pounds. Quite affordable, considering that you get a premium chronograph in return. I recommend this watch to all those who are looking for a real daily rocker on their wrist that they can wear anytime and anywhere!
