Description
The 3/4 Rose Engine… a contemporary take on watch ennobling.
The ‘Engine’ ennobling style conveys a modern feel via its contemporary lines and geometric engraving. The even style is somewhat more conservative than the floral design and, as such, reflects a more mechanical aesthetic. The movement is skillfully skeletonised to give the impression of uniformity and functionality with concentric circle patterns and tight Breguet Frost pattern guilloching. The combination of a rose gold-plated ground plate, steel wheels, sterling silver open dial and polished steel case is modern, balanced and very eye-catching. This is a very special piece of watch design and ennobling.
Benzinger’s 3/4 Skeleton collection showcases Jochen’s masterful ennobling skills via his delicate treatment of the movement. Unlike Full Skeleton models without dials, the 3/4 Skeleton pieces feature an open dial which allows for ease of legibility. The addition of an open small second at 9 o’clock adds a touch of classicism to this finely tuned piece of horology.
Because each Benzinger timepeice is made as a unikat (one off), Jochen offers the opportunity to design and customise certain aspects of the movement and overall ennobling style to create a very special & personal piece. As such, a Benzinger timepiece is more than a watch, it is a work of art to be enjoyed and admired for an eternity
3/4 Skeleton Rose Engine
- High-grade steel case made in Pforzheim with screwed-in strap lugs, diameter of 42 mm
- Hand-guilloched, hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized ETA 6497 hand winding movement, two-color gold plated, flame-blued screws
- Hand-guilloched and hand-skeletonized Sterling silver dial with original Breguet frost
- Flame-blued Breguet hands
- Hand-sewed alligator leather band with double folding clasp
What is the art of Guilloche?
Guilloché (or guilloche) is a decorative technique whereby a very precise, intricate and repetitive pattern is mechanically engraved into an underlying material. It was developed between the 1600-1700s as part of the “royal craft” of art-reversing. From these princely beginnings, the watchmakers of the 18th and 19th century developed the beautiful Guilloche machines, with which, for example, Breguet cut its unique dials. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the court jeweller of the Russian Tsar, Fabergé, brought the art of Guilloche to its fullest perfection. He used the guilloche technique as a base for his famous enamel work, which culminated in the renowned Fabergé eggs. Today, thanks to the renaissance of mechanical clocks and watches, a limited number of high-quality manufacturers are still offering their products with hand-guilloched dials, which are still unmatched in their classic appearance. Jochen Benzinger is a master in this field.
What is the art of engraving?
Engraving is as old as mankind itself. People used cutting tools at all times to decorate jewellery and utensils. The engraving art in Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries reached its climax when armour and weapons were artfully engraved. In the sixteenth century, Albrecht Dürer brought this work to a new heyday when, using the same tools as Jochen Benzinger uses in his studio today, he cut the copper-printing blocks for his famous prints. Nowadays there are very few specialists who know the techniques of this craft. Hand-engraving in horology is a highly valued attribute on any timepiece. Benzinger watches feature this finish with flourish and skill.
What is the art of skeletonising?
Skeletonising is a refinement method for giving a new, individual character to closed movements. Parts of the movement are removed by a goldsmith’s saw to reveal the direct view into and through the mechanical movement. The view of the movement is made possible by a sapphire crystal, exhibition case back in all models. The imbued creative energy of Jochen Benzinger is brought to the fore in his bespoke skeletonising creations. Each piece is skilfully crafted to highlight the beauty of the mechanical movement beating within – a pleasure to observe and a privilege to wear.
