Description
Jaeger & Benzinger Edition 4
A captivating piece from the first glance, the balanced and classical design of this handmade timepiece is timeless.
Using traditional watchmaking techniques such as hand-guilloching, hand-engraving and hand-skeletonising, each Jaeger & Benzinger timepiece is unique. The beautiful Edition 4 is no exception with its striking, clean dial design that delivers excellent clarity and legibility.
A feature of this collection is the mesmerising, hand-guilloched, windmill pattern at the centre of each dial. Gentle curves give a sense of movement that echoes the passage of the hour and minute hand in a most appealing manner.
Another highlight of the Edition 4 collection is the unique treatment of the movement which can be viewed through the generous sapphire, exhibition case back. The detail of the sunray guilloch pattern on the three-quarter plate adds life to the movement and frames the decoratively engraved balance perfectly. Considered placement of screws and exposed wheels lend harmony and interest to this small work of horological art.
Edition 4 captures the essence of classical watchmaking combined with classical design and is a joy to wear and watch.
The Movement and Finishing
Jaeger & Benzinger have chosen to finish the movement using a three-quarter plate, which is traditional in East German watchmaking and can be found on most high-end watches from this region.
The plate is first hand guilloched using a traditional sunray pattern before being hand-engraved. Finally, the plate is finished with blued screws and perlage. The result of this combination is nothing short of dazzling.
The balance cock is hand engraved and finished with rhodium, and the movement is protected by a sapphire crystal back.
The result is always stunning and vintage watches with this level of handwork and plate feature are coveted by collectors and enthusiasts for good reason, which is why they fetch record prices at auction.
The Dial
With all Jaeger & Benzinger watches your eye is immediately drawn to the dial.
The aptly-named watch face is entirely hand-crafted, in-house, out of sterling silver. The dial is then hand-guilloched and engraved on historic rose engines by Jochen at a level of craftsmanship and skill that makes him one of the elite in the field of watch ennobling.
To authenticate the look, the elegant hands are flame-blued and set to provide a striking contrast to the engraved silver dial with Roman numerals.
The Case
The Edition 4 is fitted in a high-grade, polished stainless steel case made in Pforzheim, Germany and is teamed with a hand-crafted leather band featuring a quick-change spring bar system. Please note: there are several band options available and your selection can be finalised at the time of placing your order, based on available stock.
An added touch
Even the packaging for Jaeger & Benzinger watches is hand-made in Germany, to the highest standards.
Kay Jaeger explains that the leather case, used to store the watch, can also be used as a travel case to protect your watch when you are on the move. It was designed exclusively for Jaeger & Benzinger by a small German specialty manufacturer of leather goods working to Kay’s specifications.
The outside of the travel case is made from sturdy, ox leather, while the inside is made from soft deer skin to provide optimal protection for its precious cargo. This case is entirely hand stitched and tanned, and is itself a small work of art.
The outer box, often a throw-away item, is also quite unique. It is made by a master, German book restorer who uses the same techniques to build Jaeger & Benzinger’s outer box that he uses to restore antique book covers. Another example of a fading art preserved by the boutique brand dedicated to bespoke, hand-made quality and design.
Technical specifications
• Movement: ETA 6498-2 calibre without second function; diameter 36.6mm, height 4.5mm; 17 jewels; 18,000 A/h; three-quarter plate with sunray guilloché; hand-engraved balance cock, blued screws
• Functions: hour, minute
• Case: polished/satinised stainless steel 42mm, height 11.5mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case back
• Watchstrap: hand-crafted leather with quick-change-system (variations occur depending on stock and model) Lug width: 22mm
• Dial: sterling silver manufactured in-house with windmill pattern at centre; leaf-shaped, flame-blued hands
• Options: Movement rhodinised silver or black or rose gold-plated
• Warranty: 2 year international warranty