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With the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport, the traditional German manufacturer promises a sporty all-rounder in an attractive, maritime design. I tested the sports watch for you and found out whether the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport can master the balancing act between functionality and lifestyle…
The maritime sports watch in the Belisar collection
The Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport models are very much in the Belisar tradition. Watches with this name have always been known for packaging functionality and quality in an attractive overall package with a sporty, casual look. Watches for “individualists with active lifestyles,” the brand says. Those who are somewhat familiar with the collection will immediately recognize a genuine Belisar by its most unusual design feature – the screw-on case flanks, which come in a variety of material finishes.
That the concept of the Belisar collection works, I was already able to see in the past. My previous test watches, the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport and the Union Glashütte Belisar Zeitzone, were convincing all along the line: with premium quality, an appealing design and individual character. The Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport presents itself as the all-rounder of the collection. With its maritime design, the sports watch is reminiscent of classic divers. We will find out later to what extent it is also suitable for this purpose.
Union Glashütte offers its customers three different configurations. The model with the reference number D009.907.11.047.00 was kindly sent to me by the manufacturer for watch photography. So it is a good opportunity to take a closer look at the sportsman!
My first impression of the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport
At first glance, the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport presents itself as a watch with a clear and straightforward design. The dark blue look exudes maritime flair. With its characteristic bezel, reduced dial and wide indices, the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport picks up on the classic diver’s watch look. Below 6 o’clock is the date window that gives the watch its name. On the sides of the generously sized case, I notice the screwed-on flanks. On its back, a viewing window allows a look at the movement. By the way, this movement has a lot to offer – but more about that later!
Each model comes with two different bracelets. On the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport with the reference number D009.907.11.047.00, this means: a blue textile strap and a classic stainless steel bracelet. I twist and turn the timepiece in my hands and still can’t decide for sure which strap the sports watch looks better with.
The Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport on the Wrist
I put the Belisar watch on with both straps respectively. There’s no question that with both variants, you’re optimally equipped for all occasions. With the more dignified stainless steel bracelet, the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport becomes a casually chic companion for everyday business. Meetings and business dinners can be mastered with this combination. After an uncomplicated strap change, the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport with the blue textile strap becomes an adventurer that masters the open sea, any sport and wind and weather.
45 millimeter case diameter is best suited for medium to large wrists. They make the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport even larger than the chronograph. 12.5 millimeters in height, on the other hand, are decidedly flat and give the men’s watch sporty proportions. Note that this case houses an automatic movement! The Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport weighs 174 grams. In everyday life, you won’t recognize that.
A case with diver qualities
The reduced case curves into the lugs. In its manufacturing, Union Glashütte relies here on particularly high-quality 316L stainless steel, whose scratch resistance guarantees that the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport will remain in excellent condition for years and decades. The surfaces of the case middle section are satin-finished, but are extensively covered by the screw-on case flanks made of polished stainless steel. Interesting how Union keeps interpreting this design element differently within the collection, using different materials. For example, the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport uses rubber. However, the stainless steel flanks fit best here in my opinion.
Thanks to the six-fold screwed case back with viewing window and the screw-in winding crown, Union Glashütte can guarantee the Belisar Date Sport water resistance to a maximum depth of 200 meters. Even though the manufacturer officially calls its timepiece a “sports watch” instead of a diver’s watch – the Belisar Date Sport certainly has solid diving qualities.
The watch crystal, for which resistant sapphire is used, also contributes to the protection against high pressure. To my delight, the watch glass is anti-reflective on both sides, so that the time and date are perfectly legible from any angle. Especially under water, this is an advantage. Unusual, but useful: the rotating bezel is also made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Its printing makes a high-quality and tidy impression. Fortunately, Union opted for a unidirectional instead of a bidirectional rotating bezel. Thus, the Belisar Date Sport meets the requirements of a diver’s watch here as well. The ‘clicks’ engage with high precision.
Overall, the build quality of the case and case back is impressive. Union more than lives up to its premium claim here.
The UNG-07.S1 automatic caliber in detail
My personal highlight of the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport can only be seen when you take the watch off, turn it around and look through the circular sapphire crystal caseback. Then, Union’s in-house automatic caliber can be admired in all its glory. The UNG-07.S1 is a mechanical automatic movement and is based on a Swiss 2892-A2 from ETA (which, like Union Glashütte, is also part of the Swatch Group). The special feature, however, is that Union does not receive finished movements, but assembles the individual components in Glashütte.
On paper and in everyday use, the UNG-07.S1 is an enduring and reliable engine in the case of the Belisar Date Sport. Union Glashütte claims a power reserve of 60 hours. Equipped with a silicon hairspring, it is also insensitive to magnetic fields that can affect the accuracy of a movement.
As you would expect from Union Glashütte, the traditional brand has placed emphasis on an appealing look. For example, the rotor bears the skeletonized brand lettering.
Dial and bracelet of the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport
Characteristic of the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport’s straightforward and clearly structured design is its dial. Its rich, dark blue color radiates calm and directs the focus to the essentials: the time. With broad, arrow-shaped indices and hands, this can be read excellently. This is true even in poor lighting conditions. Coated with highly luminous Swiss Super-LumiNova, the dial of the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport shines in the dark.
With the date window inset at 6 o’clock, the dial has a perfectly symmetrical design where functionality is the top priority.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the two included straps. I’ve already said something about that, but I’d like to say a word about the quality and wearing comfort. The blue textile strap in particular deserves praise. Contrary to my expectations, it has a butterfly clasp just like the stainless steel alternative. In my opinion, this solution is significantly higher quality and more comfortable than installing a simple buckle. Both straps offer a pleasant wearing comfort.
My conclusion about the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport
Union Glashütte frees itself from the inflationarily used and perhaps somewhat worn-out term ‘diver’s watch’ and calls the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport what it is: a versatile and modern sports watch that pleases with a timeless and maritime design. A men’s watch that can be worn not only over a wetsuit, but as a daily rocker in any situation in life. This is recognizable by the two interchangeable straps, the classic design and the high functionality. That’s what makes the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport an attractive watch for so many of us.
The consistently high quality of materials and workmanship underscores that the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport can call itself a premium watch.
In addition to my test watch with reference number D009.907.11.047.00, Union offers two other models with a black dial. They differ in their interchangeable straps. With stainless steel and Nato strap as well as rubber and leather strap you have interesting alternatives to choose from. Union Glashütte puts the price of the blue model at 2,150 euros. All important links can be found below.
More about Union Glashütte and the Belisar Date Sport
Click here for the watch in the store
The Belisar collection on the Union homepage
Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Sport Review
Union Glashütte Belisar Zeitzone Review
