Description
Benzinger Subscription IV Grey/Green Engine
Make an understatement in Benzinger’s Subscription IV Grey/Green Engine one-off timepiece.
This magnificent watch highlights many of the traditional ennobling techniques for which Jochen Benzinger is renowned.
The skilfully and thoughtfully skeletonised movement is on full view thanks to the open dial design that typifies Jochen’s Subscription timepieces. Timekeeping elements on the main and sub dials are made legible through the use of colour. Note how the rich green provides just enough contrast against the matted grey to enhance readability without being ostentatious.
On the reverse side, the exhibition case back affords an excellent view to the linear engine design incorporated into the movement. The sweeping lines are accentuated with neat engraving and guilloched patterms that frame the flame-blued screws and jewels as well as the marvellous blued wheels.
This piece is simply stunning from every angle and represents months of hand-craftsmanship from the master ennobler. As hand-made timepieces each Benzinger original is slightly different to the next and captures a unique character suited to an individual who appreciates design perfection and horological tradition.
Definitely one for the wish list… or wrist of a lucky owner.
Technical Specifications
Case:
• High-grade steel case made in Pforzheim
• crown in Benzinger style
• diameter of 42 mm
• sapphire crystal on both sides
Dial:
• Sterling Silber guilloché & skeletonized by hand
• coated with grey Rhodium
• view to the hand-guilloched ground plate
• Arabic numerals in green
Ground plate:
• Coated with grey Rhodium
• Guilloché & skeletonized by hand
Movement:
• ETA-6498-Manual windingmovement
• In-house redesign
• hour and minute moved towards 12 o’clock
• Hand-guilloched
• Hand-skeletonized
• Rhodium plated screw balance (Special edition)
• Swan neck fine regulation
• Flame-blued screws
NB: The final technical design may differ from the image/model shown.
Hands:
• polished steel hands in Breguet style with filled point in green
Strap:
• Hand-sewed alligator leather strap with green stitches
• Folding clasp / Buckle
• Screwed-in strap lug
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.
