Description
Benzinger Blue Ray
Cool style
The matt-finished, sterling silver dial has been finished with a Breguet frost and opened up to both frame and reveal the craftsmanship for which Jochen Benzinger is world-renowned. This one-of-a-kind timepiece showcases every element of ennobling in an harmonious and classic presentation. The result is not only uniquely beautiful but also very wearable.
The gently sloping edges of the polished bezel lead the eye inwards towards the silver outer dial which features a Roman Numeral display and Benzinger’s iconic insignia. Classic, centrally-pivoted, flame-blued, Breguet-style hands provide just enough contrast against the silver outer dial to ensure legibility while a small second sits neatly at 6 o’clock. But without a doubt, the highlight of this timepiece is the hand-guilloched, blue dial with cut-out section revealing a portion of the skeletonised movement that beats within.
Visible via a generous, sapphire exhibition case back, the manual movement is hand-engraved and hand-skeletonised in Benzinger’s own ‘floral’ design. Flourishes and elements of colour serve to introduce movement and emphasise design as well as function within the calibre.
The overall presentation of this piece in a polished/brushed steel case with a highly-polished bezel and hand-turned onion crown is understated and elegant. With its classical features and fresh, clean colour treatment Jochen Benzinger’s Blue Ray is a fine example of refined watchmaking and design exemplifying the type of bespoke finishing that renders Benzinger Unikats timeless works of horological that deliver boundless joy to their wearers.
Case
• High-grade steel case made in Pforzheim with screwed-in strap lugs
• Screwed-in, polished bezel
• Diameter of 42 mm
• Sapphire crystal case front and exhibition case back
Movement
• Hand-guilloched and hand-engraved Manual windingmovement with small second at 6 o’clock
Dial
• Hand-guilloched Sterling Silver and blue dial in “Breguet” quality and with the original “Breguet”-frosting on outer dial
• Centred hour and minute indication (Breguet-style hands) with oversized small second at 6 o’clock
Band
• Hand-sewed alligator leather strap 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.
