Union Glashütte has marked its partnership with the Sachsen Classic rally for years, and until now it has done so with the same watch dressed for the occasion: the retro-styled Noramis Chronograph, restyled each summer. For the 23rd running of the rally, on 14 and 15 August 2026, the German manufacture has changed the base watch. The new limited edition is built on the Averin Chronograph, whose square case is a sharper, more modern shape, and it arrives as Monochrome reported on 27 July.
A square case, on purpose
The Averin's case is the story before the dial is. It measures 41mm by 41mm, 15.45mm thick and 49.47mm lug to lug, in brushed and polished 316L steel, with a domed sapphire crystal that follows the square outline and a sapphire caseback behind it. The crown sits between two rectangular chronograph pushers, and the angular, cushion-square silhouette invites the obvious comparison, to the TAG Heuer Monaco. Water resistance is 100 metres, more than a watch shaped like this usually offers.
Dressed for the 1970s and 1980s
The dial is where the rally theme lives. It is white, embossed with a fine tile pattern, and cut across by bold diagonal stripes in signal red, Nardo grey and Daytona grey, the colours of period racing liveries. The two chronograph registers, small seconds at 9 and a 30-minute counter at 3, are square, to echo the case and the instrument-panel look. The central chronograph seconds hand is lacquered bright red, the hour and minute hands are nickel-plated with Super-LumiNova, and the date sits at 6 o'clock, where the current Averin keeps it.
Calibre UNG-27.S2
Inside is Union's automatic chronograph, the calibre UNG-27.S2, based on the Valjoux 7750 but updated in the ways that matter. It uses a cam-operated chronograph, a silicon balance spring and a stop-seconds function, runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and holds at least 65 hours of power reserve. It is a workhorse with modern additions, which suits a watch meant to be used rather than admired.
350 pieces, two straps
The Averin Chronograph Sachsen Classic 2026, reference D015.527.17.011.09, comes with two straps on the quick-change system: a bright red rubber strap and a grey perforated leather racing strap with red lining. It is limited to 350 numbered pieces and priced at EUR 3,700, which keeps a German mechanical chronograph with a silicon hairspring well under the level where the Glashütte name usually starts. Details are at union-glashuette.com.
Swapping the Noramis for the Averin is a small decision with a clear message. The rally watch has grown up and squared off.
