The Askania Quadriga 2020: A Limitied Edition and Homage to the Brandenburg Gate

It has become a tradition for the Berlin-based watch manufacturer Askania to present a new Jahrgangsuhr (engl.: anniversary watch) each year, which is usually being presented during the annual Zeit & Wein event. However, as this was not possible this year for obvious reasons, we did not want to miss the chance to at least give you a virtual introduction to Askania’s latest Quadriga watch.

Historic design cues

The first look always goes the design, of course, because at the end of the day this is what determines whether the watch will ultimately make it onto your wrist or not – and the example of the new Quadriga speaks for itself.

The 42mm hardened stainless steel case features a polished bezel and brushed flanks that discreetly underline the overall retro-esque design of the pilot’s watch. Why retro? Well, because the dial offers many small design elements of wristwatches from days gone by, which are well-matched.

Immediately striking are the large Arabic pilot’s watch numerals, whose artificially aged luminous material is reminiscent of the radium luminous material used in many vintage models, while the small second hand at 6 o’clock protrudes slightly into the railroad minute track. Another highlight are certainly the cathedral hands, which used to be especially popular among military watches.

The watch comes on a vintage-looking leather strap, featuring hand stitching near the lugs and a double folding “butterfly” clasp.

Hand winding meets big date

The caliber in use it the “Caliber 1065-2”, which is essentially the tried and tested ETA-Unitas 6498. Said caliber is considered to be a true hand-wound classic, as it still enjoys unbroken popularity despite its age. Originally developed as a savonette movement for pocket watches, it ticks away at a frequency of 18,000 vph, which is typical for pocket watches. This soothing oscillation of the balance spring can fortunately be admired through the sapphire crystal back.

Another interesting piece of trivia: The ETA-Unitas 6498 is one of the few mass-produced pocket watch movements to survive the quartz crisis of the 1970s, thanks to its high reliability, precision and ease of maintenance. It is still widely used today (and even found in watches with five-digit price tags).

In addition to the base caliber, Askania also built in an additional date module, which can be operated by the hidden pusher at 10 o’clock. The result is an impressive quick-set “big date complication” at 12 o’clock, which is often used by renowned watch manufacturers from Glashütte. Moreover, it is a nice feature that is found in fewer and fewer wristwatches these days. The power reserve is 40 hours.

Elaborate decoration

Askania has done a great job in finishing the movement, as for example the delicately hand-applied Geneva stripes testify. This decoration technique can be found all over the plate of the new Quadriga. The wheel train bridge on the other hand, bearing the elegant Quadriga logo with the Brandenburg Gate, is black rhodium-plated. This term describes a process of decorative electroplating, in which workpieces are covered with a very thin layer of rhodium for the sake of longevity.

In addition, the mainspring barrel (recognizable by the engraved QUADRIGA MMXX logo) was given a fluted “waffle polish” for the first time in Askania’s history. All screws are gold plated.

Price and availability

The new Askania Quadriga 2020 watch sets you back € 4,900 and comes in a limited edition of 149 pieces. It is available as of now and only while stocks last.

For more information, please see here.

This is a sponsored article by Montredo for Askania.