Description
Benzinger 3/4 Skeleton Floral Black
Benzinger’s coveted 3/4 Skeleton collection showcases Jochen’s masterful ennobling skills via his delicate treatment of the movement finished in the traditional floral style. Unlike Full Skeleton models without dials, the 3/4 Guilloche Skeleton features an open silver dial that frames the artfully skeletonised movement and enhances legibility. The addition of an open, small second at 9 o’clock adds a touch of classicism to this finely tuned piece of horology.
While the floral design of the ennobling is reminiscent of classic watchmaking, the bold, black PVD case finish adds a modern aspect to this piece. The result is a dramatic timepiece, hand-embellished by one of the world’s greatest ennoblers. Because each Benzinger timepiece 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 appreciate and be appreciated.
Benzinger 3/4 Guilloche Skeleton Floral
· High-grade steel case made in Pforzheim, finished with PVD black coating with screwed-in strap lugs and a diameter of 42mm
· Hand-engraved, hand-skeletonized and hand-guilloched Unitas 6498 manual winding movement, two-color gold plated, with flame-blued screws
· Hand-guilloched Sterling silver dial. Hand-skeletonized base plate & flame-blued hands
· 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.
