Description
The Regulator – deconstructed time
It would be fair to describe Benzinger’s Regulator as ‘time deconstructed’ with separate dials for the hours, minutes and seconds positioned thoughtfully within the dial. The regulator is a classic timekeeping system that eliminates all superfluous functions to focus on the hour. Benzinger’s Regulator features a non-coaxial (non centred) hour, minute and second hand display that separates these functions onto different sub dials for more accurate timing and legibility.
Allured by the possibilities offered by the Regulator, Jochen Benzinger created his own collection of classically-inspired timepieces based upon this traditional movement. In true Benzinger style every aspect of his Regulators are ennobled from the elegantly guilloched dials to the hand-skeletonised and hand-engraved manual movements beating within.
The Black Regulator adds an element of sophistication to the classic timepiece with its bold two-toned dial and striking black movement. This is a piece for the gentleman about town with a strong sense of self.
- High-grade steel case made in Pforzheim with screwed-in strap lugs, diameter of 42 mm
- In-house regulator redesign with shifted hour and minute display
- Hand-guilloched, hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized ETA 6498 hand winding movement with black PVD plated and hand-guilloched ground plate, flame-blued screws
- Rhodium plated screw balance
- Two-part hand-guilloched and hand-skeletonized Sterling Silver dial:
- Ground dial: guilloched rays, black PVD plated
- Top dial: hand-guilloched, original Breguet frost
- Rose gold plated hands in Breguet style
- 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.
