Union Glashütte Belisar Speedster Returns at 40mm | Veloce
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Union Glashütte Belisar Speedster Returns at 40mm
By Nick·October 23, 2026· 5 min read
Union Glashütte's Belisar Chronograph Speedster returns with a more classic 40mm case, a significant shift for the line. This 288-piece limited edition pays a vibrant tribute to a 1968 Porsche 911, blending automotive heritage with refined watchmaking.
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Union Glashütte just dropped a new version of its automotive-inspired chronograph, the Belisar Speedster, and it comes with a major change. This new edition shrinks the case down to a more classic forty millimeters, a significant move from the previous forty-four-millimeter models. It’s a limited run of just two hundred eighty-eight individually numbered pieces, priced at three thousand seven hundred dollars.
The Speedster’s design pays direct tribute to a specific car: a nineteen sixty-eight Porsche nine-eleven from German artist Markus Haub. You see that influence in the high-gloss beige lacquer dial, set against black subdials and vivid orange accents. The dial has a classic Valjoux seven-seven-fifty chronograph layout, with thirty-minute and twelve-hour registers at twelve and six o’clock respectively, and a running seconds display at nine. A date window sits discreetly at three o’clock. This combination of vintage automotive cues and a balanced dial makes it stand out.
Inside, Union Glashütte uses its UNG-twenty-seven-dot-S-one caliber. This automatic chronograph movement is based on the robust Valjoux seven-seven-fifty, but with key upgrades. It includes a silicon balance spring, which enhances accuracy and offers better resistance to magnetic fields and temperature fluctuations. The movement also boasts an extended power reserve of at least sixty-five hours, which means you can leave it off for the entire weekend and it'll still be running on Monday morning when you pick it up. Union Glashütte hand-assembles and regulates this movement in Glashütte, and you can admire the finishing through a sapphire caseback. The watch measures fourteen-point-two millimeters thick and comes with a sapphire crystal on the front, treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides for clear legibility in various lighting conditions.
The watch comes with two quick-release strap options: a black racing-style leather strap with orange stitching, designed to complement the dial accents, and a stainless steel bracelet. The quick-release system means you can swap them out without any tools. With one hundred meters of water resistance, this chronograph is built for daily wear and can handle splashes or a quick dip.
Union Glashütte Belisar Speedster Returns at 40mm — watch the reel or listen to the full narration.
Union Glashütte just released a new, smaller take on its automotive chronograph. The Belisar Chronograph Speedster Limited Edition, reference D009.227.16.282.09, downsizes the case to a more compact 40mm and is limited to just 288 individually numbered pieces. It comes to market with a reported price of $3,700 (€3,450).
40mmCase
$3,700Price
65hPower Reserve
100mWater Res.
This new Speedster isn't just a color update. It represents a significant shift in direction for the Belisar line, moving from a beefy 44mm case to a more classic 40mm diameter. This change alone repositions the watch for a much wider range of collectors.
The Belisar Chronograph Speedster 2026 Limited Edition
The most consequential update to the Speedster is its case dimensions. Previous versions measured 44mm, placing them squarely in the oversized sports watch category. This 2026 edition brings the diameter down to 40mm, with a lug-to-lug of 48mm and a thickness of 14.65mm.
While 14.65mm is not exceptionally thin, it's a typical height for an automatic chronograph with a display caseback. The reduced diameter and controlled lug-to-lug measurement make this version a completely different proposition on the wrist compared to its predecessors.
The move from a 44mm case on prior models to 40mm on this 2026 edition is the single biggest change, making the Speedster accessible to a broader audience who prefer more classic chronograph dimensions.
A Dial with a Specific History
The design of the Speedster is a direct tribute to a specific car: a 1968 Porsche 911 from the collection of German artist Markus Haub. This isn't a generic "motorsport" theme; it's an interpretation of one car's personality. The dial uses a high-gloss beige lacquer base, set against black subdials and vivid orange accents.
The layout is classic 7750: a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock, a 12-hour counter at 6, and a running small seconds at 9. Union Glashütte integrated the date display neatly into the 6 o'clock subdial. Black nickel-plated hands with Super-LumiNova mark the time, standing out against the beige backdrop.
The UNG-27.S1 Caliber
Inside the watch is the Union Glashütte caliber UNG-27.S1. This automatic chronograph movement is based on the robust Valjoux 7750 architecture but features significant upgrades. It's a formula many dialheads will appreciate: a proven workhorse movement enhanced with modern technology.
The most notable improvements are a silicon balance spring and an extended power reserve of at least 65 hours. The silicon spring provides resistance to magnetism, temperature fluctuations, and shocks, contributing to more stable timekeeping. The 65-hour reserve means you can take the watch off Friday and find it still running on Monday morning.
The movement operates at a standard 4 Hz (28,800 vph) and contains 29 jewels. In keeping with its Glashütte origins, the caliber is assembled, finished, and regulated by hand, visible through a screw-down sapphire caseback.
A Crowded Field of Racers
At its $3,700 price point, the Belisar Speedster enters a competitive segment for automotive-inspired chronographs. It finds itself priced near the Hanhart 0260 x BAIT Motorsport Chronograph (~$3,300), which offers a different take with a manual-wind movement and a 39mm case rooted in vintage pilot watch design.
It also sits just below the Shinola Mackinac Night Race ($3,995), a watch that leans into modern materials with a forged carbon dial and a Swiss automatic caliber. The Union Glashütte distinguishes itself with its specific Porsche 911 backstory, its German origin, and the technical upgrade of a silicon balance spring.
A Complete Package
Union Glashütte includes two strap options in the box, both fitted with quick-release spring bars for tool-free changes. The first is a black calfskin leather strap with racing-style perforations and orange contrast stitching that matches the dial accents. A three-link stainless steel bracelet is also provided for a more versatile, everyday look.
The watch is built from 316L stainless steel and features a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. This coating is key for legibility, especially on a light-colored dial. Water resistance is rated at a practical 100 meters (10 bar), making it suitable for daily wear without concern for rain or splashes.
High-gloss beige lacquer with black subdials and orange accents
Crystal
Domed sapphire, anti-reflective coating on both sides
Water Resistance
100m / 10 bar
Movement
Caliber UNG-27.S1 (Valjoux 7750 base)
Power Reserve
At least 65 hours
Winding
Automatic
Frequency
28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Features
Chronograph, Date, Silicon balance spring
Strap
Black calfskin leather with quick-change system
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet included
Limited Edition
288 individually numbered pieces
Price
$3,700 USD / €3,450 EUR
Frequently Asked Questions
What movement does the Union Glashütte Belisar Speedster use?
The watch is powered by the Caliber UNG-27.S1. This is an automatic chronograph movement based on the Valjoux 7750 architecture, but it has been significantly modified by Union Glashütte to include a silicon balance spring and an extended power reserve of at least 65 hours.
How many pieces of the Belisar Chronograph Speedster 2026 were made?
This is a limited edition of 288 individually numbered pieces. The limited production run adds to its collector focus.
What car inspired the Union Glashütte Speedster?
The design, particularly the beige, black, and orange color scheme, was inspired by a specific 1968 Porsche 911 owned by the German artist Markus Haub. This connection provides a more distinct story than a general motorsport theme.
What is the difference between the new Speedster and older versions?
The most significant difference is the case size. This new 2026 Limited Edition has a 40mm diameter, a major reduction from the 44mm case used on previous Belisar Chronograph Speedster models. This makes the watch substantially more wearable for a wider variety of wrist sizes.
The Takeaway
The Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Speedster 2026 is a technically updated and more wearable re-issue of the brand's racing chronograph. Its 40mm case, specific Porsche 911 design story, and upgraded 65-hour power reserve movement position it as a thoughtful choice for collectors seeking a German-made chronograph with a clear automotive identity.
The combination of a wearable size, a specific design story, and a modernized movement makes this limited edition a focused release from Union Glashütte. It delivers a complete package with both leather and steel options, catering to those who appreciate versatility as much as the Glashütte watchmaking tradition.
GALLERY
WRITTEN BY
Nick
I originally started VELOCE to put my skills to work, hone my app design and web development practices, and dive deeper into the world of horology. I wanted to learn more about the watches, the brands, and the incredible people behind them - the creators, the designers, and the collectors. I love discovering new timepieces and sharing their stories with the world. VELOCE is my ultimate passion project and hobby, the creative space I head to after my full-time job to build something I truly care about.
By Nick·October 23, 2026· 5 min read
