Established in 1845, Glashütte is renowned for its functionality and is one of the most reputable watchmakers in Saxony. The present timepiece is an exceptionally rare creation by the manufacturer as it features a hand-painted porcelain dial of remarkable craftsmanship by Meissen, one of Europe’s most storied ateliers founded in Germany in 1708. Created entirely from porcelain, the dial preserves the noble characteristics of the material—its ivory whiteness, translucency, and lustrous glaze—while meeting the stringent demands of fine watchmaking.

Motifs such as the present “Horse & Wagon” chariot, the words “Glashütte Original”, and the blue crossed swords—Meissen’s famous hallmark—are hand‑painted by artists specialized in typographic detail. Each layer of ceramic pigment, made from refined metal oxides, is applied using fine “fairy hair” brushes, fired at 900 °C after every application to achieve exceptional depth of color and permanence. The mastery required is profound: becoming a porcelain painter demands four years of dedicated training, followed by a decade of specialization in the painting of landscapes and figures before one may achieve the refinement necessary to work on surfaces as minute as a watch dial. The result is not only a dial, but a miniature artwork that perpetuates centuries of German artistic tradition.

The “Horse & Wagon” dial further carries symbolic resonance, drawing inspiration from one of humanity’s most extraordinary archaeological discoveries: the Terracotta Army of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi. Each warrior bears individualized features and remarkable realism, a testament to artistic skill and technical innovation more than two millennia ago. The army remains one of the world’s great cultural treasures, symbolizing both the authority and vision of Qin Shi Huangdi, and embodying the timeless human desire to achieve permanence through art.

The present example crafted in pink gold is preserved in unworn condition with its full set of accessories, numbered 25 of a limited edition of 50 pieces only. This treasured timepiece is a rarity to come across for the connoisseur collector who appreciates history and centuries-old craftmanship in watchmaking.