Introducing Moritz Grossmann Unveils the HAMATIC Silver-Plated by Friction

The year 2026 marks a special milestone for the Moritz Grossmann manufactory in Glashütte, as its founder and namesake was born on 27 March 1826, exactly 200 years ago. Not only does he continue to shape the identity of the contemporary watch brand, but he also left a profound mark on the craft of watchmaking and the destiny of his hometown, Glashütte.

For the manufactory, Moritz Grossmann’s 200th birthday provides a fitting occasion for a series of special models. These anniversary watches unite the founder’s forward-thinking ideas with modern watchmaking craftsmanship. Rather than imitating historical concepts, they reinterpret his legacy through the creative and ongoing evolution of Moritz Grossmann’s innovations.

The first special model released to commemorate this bicentenary is the limited-edition HAMATIC Silver-Plated by Friction. The anniversary year is referenced by an “1826” engraving on the case back, while the vintage “M. GROSSMANN” logo on the dial, presented exactly as it appeared in 1875, serves as a further tribute to the brand’s heritage.

The case remains faithful to previous HAMATIC models. Housed in a 41mm three-part white gold case with a thickness of 11.35mm, the watch offers the same balanced proportions and elegant wrist presence.

The model’s name also reflects the elaborate design of its dial, which is silver-plated by friction. This rare finish, also described as silver-plating by grit, employs a historical technique in which the dial is given a fine-grained, velvet-like texture by hand-brushing it with various pastes and powders. The resulting surface softly reflects light with remarkable subtlety. Only a handful of specialists still master this technique today, as it is practiced entirely by hand and demands intense concentration, a delicate touch, and considerable experience.

The result, however, more than justifies the effort. The interplay of light and shadow, gloss and matte, creates a singular visual effect that retains its radiance over time. This finish is beautifully complemented by the cool blue of the numerals and scales, as well as the vintage Moritz Grossmann logo. Beyond that, this special model also introduces a notable first: engraved Arabic numerals indicating the hours on the HAMATIC dial, replacing the Roman numerals previously used on earlier versions.

The finely handcrafted hands in blue annealed steel are also quintessentially Grossmann, with a hue that perfectly matches the typography on the dial of the HAMATIC Silver-Plated by Friction.

Through the transparent sapphire crystal case back, the rhythmic dance of the Caliber 106.0 can be admired, a testament to Moritz Grossmann’s commitment to both innovation and tradition, inspired by the earliest automatic clocks.

The bidirectional automatic hammer mechanism of the HAMATIC movement ensures exceptionally efficient winding, delivering consistent power for precise and reliable performance. Offering a 72-hour power reserve when fully wound, the movement benefits from one of the key advantages of the hammer-style pendulum system: the strategic positioning of the hammer’s center of mass relative to its rotational axis. The Caliber 106.0 has been intentionally designed to generate substantial torque, allowing it to apply significant force to the mainspring. Even minimal movement, just a five-degree shift or a two-millimeter oscillation, is enough for the kinetic energy to be efficiently stored in the mainspring.

In addition to its self-winding capability, the watch also features a manual winding function, facilitated by a yoke winder mounted on a separate bridge. This construction ensures that the manual winding system remains disengaged from the ratchet wheel whenever the HAMATIC mechanism is activated by motion. Conversely, when operated manually, the reduction gear is isolated from the ratchet wheel by the backstop ratchet.

The special-edition HAMATIC Silver-Plated by Friction will be released in March 2026. It is limited to 18 pieces and paired with a blue kudu leather strap secured by a white gold prong buckle. The watch is priced at EUR 73,500, equivalent to approximately AED 310,750.

For more information, visit Moritz Grossmann official website.