The way of an exclusive and unique handmade Benzinger timepiece: from the design to the watch

Jochen Benzinger is the master of hand-guilloché, hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized watches. All of his watches are unique timepieces and the customer does have the opportunity to personalize his own watch with his initials, coat of arms or whatever the customer can imagine [there are always limits ;)]. The production of Jochen Benzinger is at a maximum of 50 watches per year! With the following report, I will show you the process of a personalized watch made by Jochen Benzinger by reference to the watch we made for the "Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner" (Foundation to help children with cancer) here in Luxembourg.

For the project "Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner" we decided us for the 3/4 Skelett model. The dial-side (1) we left "standard" 3/4 Skelett and for the movement side (2) Jochen Benzinger firstly made a design (3) with the coat of arms of the Foundation and the complete skelet as a mane of a lion.

 The artisanal work of hand-guilloché on detailed photos:

1- hand-guilloché plate
2- fixation of the dial on the support
3- hand-guilloché dial

The artisanal work of hand-engraving and hand-skeletonization on detailed photos:

1- hand-engraving of the coq
2- hand-skeletonization of the plate
3- hand-engraving of the plate

The different pieces after the hand-guilloché, hand-engraving and hand skeletonization:

1- The plate, left "standard" 3/4 Skelett design. Hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized
2- The pont de barillet, hand-engraved, hand-skeletonized and hand-guilloché. Personalized skeletonization with the lion's mane
3- The pont de rouage with the coat of arms of the "Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner", hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized
4- The roue de minuterie, hand guilloché
5- The roue des heures, hand-guilloché
6- The coq, hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized
7- The pont d'ancre, hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized
8- The barillet, hand-guilloché, hand-skeletonized and hand-engraved

1st preview!

And finally the finished watch!

I hope you enjoyed this little report of how a personalized watch by Benzinger is made. Maybe with this report you can better imagine how much work it is to make a watch as exclusive and unique as a Benzinger timepiece is.

Looking forward for your comments ;)

best Regards
Christian

Benzinger unique "Half-skeleton La Belle"

There are many mechanical watches on the market. Most of them need not be mentioned, some however, are worth being remembered. That is exactly what Benzinger wanted to achieve with this half-skeleton version in rose gold. The first custom-made movement Benzinger refined was for Martin Braun's "La Belle". Benzinger has once again built this watch for a todays customer in a more modern form. A homage to great watchmaking craft!

• 18kt rose gold case with diameter of 42mm, screwed-in strap lugs
• hand-guilloché dial with view to the open spring barrel and with the original "Breguet" frost finish
• flame-blued, leaf-shaped hands
• hand-engraved, hand-guilloché and hand-skeletonized manual winding movement
• flame-blued screws
• hand-sewed alligator leather strap with hand-made buckle in 750/000 18kt rose gold

Benzinger unique "Ulysse Nardin"

It was in 1846 that the Swiss watchmaker Ulysse Nardin started his own business as manufacturer of navy chronometer. These precise clocks that came in heavy, shock-resistant wooden cases and that were made for being used on ships helped seafarers a lot as they made reliable navigation possible. Nowadays, watches of this renowned make are part of every high-quality collection. With the re-designed and decorated model Benzinger pays tribute to this earlier talented watchmaker.

• High-grade steel case made in Porzheim with a diameter of 42mm, screwed-in strap lugs, sapphire glass on both sides
• Hand-engraved, hand-skeletonized Sterling silver dial with original "Breguet" style frost and with view to the hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized ground plate
• Flame-blued, pear-shaped hands
• Hand-engraved, hand-skeletonized and hand-guilloché historical Ulysse Nardin hand winding movement with screwed gold chatons and open screw balance
• Hand-guilloché and with blue platinum coated ground plate
• Hand-sewed alligator leather strap with double folding clasp

Benzinger unique "Phoenix Jump Hour"

The Greek mythology tells us about a bird with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet. Near the end of its life it builds a nest of myrrh twigs that ignites. Both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises, reborn anew to live again. He so became a symbol of resurrection and immotality.

• High-grade steel case made in Pforzheim with screwed-in strap lugs and onion crown
• Diameter of 40mm
• Sterling silver dial engraved and engine turned by hand with phoenix subject
• Hand-engraved, hand-guilloché and hand-skeletonized Kasper 1415 manual wind movemend with ground plate covered with blue platinum
• Flame-blued screws
• Flame-blued middle second hand in a special shape

Benzinger unique "Ritz"

Swiss hotelier César Ritz had the world-famous hotel built in the neoclassical style during the Belle Epoque and opened it on 24 May 1906, overlooking Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge or Piccadilly Circus and the Royal Gardens of Green Park. Ritz personally managed much of the hotel's operation for many years. The high standards to which he held his staff and the ultimate luxury which he provided his guests had been entirely foreign to Victorian Londoners, and the sensation he caused in the hotel industry precipitated a dramatic shift in that industry's focus.
The Ritz's most famous facility is the Palm Court, one frequented by Kind Edward VII, Charlie Chaplin, Sir Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Judy Garland and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother for the world-famous institution that is "Tea at the Ritz". The Ritz Club is a casino in the basement of the hotel. However, unlike most casinos, it requires a fee to enter. The games are considered "high stakes" in that the minimum bet is usually very high. However, it inspired Benzinger to create a one-of-a-kind watch.

• High grade steel case made in Pforzheim with screwed-in strap lugs, diameter 42mm
• De-central hour and minute indication, Benzinger re-design of a Valjoux 7750 chrono movement
• Hand-guilloché and hand-engraved movement
• Hand-guilloché, hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized new 750/000 18kt gold rotor in form of a roulette disc
• hand-guilloché Sterling silver dial with hand-engraved Ritz logo
• small second printed with a roulette disc
• Hand-sewed alligator leather strap with double folding clasp

Benzinger unique "Guards Polo Club"

The 2010 "Queen's Cup Final" of the Guards Polo Club in the beautiful setting of Windsor Great Park was reason enough for building another Benzinger Atelier watch. It was at its 50th anniversary of this famous tournament that the UK distributor of Benzinger wore a watch made by Benzinger, with the clubs logoon the face and a tiny hand-skeletonized polo player in the movement. Man of the match was worlds no 1 player, the Argentinian Adolfo Cambioso who, together with the Dubai team, made it his fifth win. Proudly, he accepted the congratulation of H.M. The Queen.

• 18kt- 750/000 rose gold case made in Pforzheim, diameter of 42mm, screwed-in strap lugs
• hand-engraved, hand-guilloché, hand-skeletonized Unitas hand winding movement
• hand-engraved and hand-skeletonized polo player in the going train bridge
• hand-guilloché dial in two parts:
• lower part made of Sterling silver, plated with black PVD
• upper part made of rose gold
• hand-sewed alligator leather strap with hand-made 750/000 rose gold fastening

Benzinger unique "Russian Double Eagle"

This watch made on customer request is inspired by the Russian coat of arms. The eagle symbolizes strength, courage, farsightedness and immortality. it is considered to be the king of the air and the messenger of the highest Gods. In the Russian coat of arms both eagles heads wear a crown, a third one can be seen on top of the two. These three crowns formerly stood for Kazan and Astrachan, both cities that were conquered by Ivan the Terrible for the Russian empire in the mid 15th century, but also stood for believe, love and hope. Today, the imperial crowns stand for the unity and sovereignty of Russia both as a whole and in its constituent republics and regions.

• Highgrade steel case with screwed-in strap lugs and onion crown, diameter 42mm
• Hand-engraved, hand-guilloché and hand-skeletonized Unitas 6498 hand winding movement
• Rear side of movement holding 190 diamonds of 1.5 kt
• Double eagle motif engraved directly onto the ground plate
• Swan neck fine regulation
• "Glashütte" click
• screwed gold chatons
• hand-sewed alligator leather strap with double folding clasp

Grieb & Benzinger, new members for the "Blossom family"

Grieb & Benzinger released two new members of their "Blossom familiy". The "Black Tulip" is a very popular watch made by Grieb & Benzinger. Now they created two new designs of the "Black Tulip".

• One design is with an 18kt gold case all blakened as well as the movement black PVD coated and the bezel set with red princess cut diamonds! It would be the perfect choice for the ladies? What do you think?
• The other design is with an 18kt palladium white gold case as well as the movement black PVD coated and the bezel set with black princess cut diamonds! I would be the perfect choice for the gentlemen? What do you think?

The movements of both watches are hand-skeletonized, hand-guilloché and hand-engraved! What do you think of both watches? More detailed infos will follow shortly.

Marc Jenni presenting his "Arch" collection

The "Ach" collection by Marc Jenni, each one inspired by the four seasons comprises of the "Snowflake" with its white alligator strap, the "Spring Haze" with its light green and yellow overtones, "Sunburst" representing Summer with vivid red, and finally, with autumnal shades of ochre and light browns the "Indian Summer" version.

Only the knowing wearer will fully appreciate the aesthetic and cosmetic benefits of her Arch, recalling the pitfalls of manipulating a crown with her expensively manicured nails. But a man would never consider important matters such as these...

Arch "Snowflake"

Arch "Springhaze"

Arch "Sunburst"

Arch "Indian Summer"

Benzinger "Pocket Watch Moser"

This is the very special Benzinger "Pocket Watch Moser". New "Moser" pocket watch movement of aroud 1920. Hand-engraved, hand.-guilloché and hand-skeletonized. Hours and minutes have been moved towards 12 o'clock, hand-guilloché Sterling silver dial with the original "Breguet frost" finish, flame-blued "Breguet" hands. This very special pocket watch does have a diameter of 43mm and is limited to 10 pieces!

• New "Moser" pocket watch movement from around 1920
• Hand-engraved, hand-guilloché and hand-skeletonized
• New design: hours and minutes have been moved towards 12 o'clock
• Hand-guilloché Sterling silver dial with the original "Breguet" frost
• Flame-blued "Breguet" hands
• Pusher on top allows moving of the hands
• Hand-made heavy pocket watch case with hand-guilloché middle part
• Hand-made crown, hand-guilloché, 18k gold
• Diameter of 43mm
• Limited edition of 10 pieces!

Making of the Blue Symphony by Grieb & Benzinger

This video presents you the "BLUE SYMPHONY" made by Grieb & Benzinger.

Watchcase

Solid 49 mm diameter platinum case with 130 grams platinum weight. Anti-reflective, domed sapphire crystal and flat sapphire crystal on the bottom. Crown made of solid platinum in inlaid with a blued-steel application. Screw-in sapphire crystal case back and hand-guilloché bezel. Navy blue alligator skin strap with platinum buckle. Hand-skeletonized Sterling silver dial decorated with an original Breguet frosted finish.

Movement

The 36-jewel movement with manual winding is based on an original Patek Philippe minute repeater movement, exclusively manufactured for the famous New York-based jeweller Tiffany around 1887. The compensation screw balance with blued Breguet hairspring beats at 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour.
In typical GRIEB & BENZINGER manner, the historical minute repeater movement with two polished steel hammers and two gongs has been awakened to enjoy a new life. The movement was completely disassembled, restored and modified to encompass a regulator indication, while the original transmission wheel has been replaced with a “mystery” wheel incorporating a specially manufactured glass inlay. All strike train parts, levers and springs were polished and beveled. 

The unmistakable base plate was first hand-skeletonized and hand-guilloché before being coated with the blue platinum developed by GRIEB & BENZINGER. The visible spring barrel was skeletonized by hand. Every single bridge was hand guilloché, and coated with rhodium and rose gold. Even the wheels were guilloché, and the heads of all steel screws were polished by hand and classically tempered a cornflower blue over an open flame.

The coat of arms of the Jenni family

The coat of arms of the Jenni family from Glaris, Switzerland represents a triangle with three ramparts and has become the logo of Marc Jenni. Every Marc Jenni watch features somewhere the triangle - up to you to discover where...!

New bespoke "BLUE DRAGON" by Grieb & Benzinger

A new bespoke "BLUE DRAGN" skeleton watch with princess cut diamonds on the bezel and 18k palladium whitegold case by Grieb & Benzinger. All the skeleton work, guilloché and engraving is done by hand! A timepiece finished by real craftsmanship!

In contrast to this "BLUE DRAGON", the "WHITE DRAGON". To show you what is possible to make out of one symbol. 

Diamond-set dial with 369 Top Wesselton diamonds, hand-skeletonized, hand-engraved and hand-guilloché applied dragon. 18k palladium white gold case 43mm diameter, bezel set with princess cut diamonds.

Marc Jenni presentig his "Prologue" and "JJJ" collection

In this video Marc Jenni presents his "Prologue" and "JJJ" collection.

The "Prologue"

The "Prologue" is equipped with a black ring that rotates around the entire watch case. All three basic functions of a normal crown-function are easily accessible by the selector located on the case at four o'clock. Pure and authentic lines, aesthetic simplicity and mechanical ingenuity; this is how the "Prologue" has been described since its appearance. The "Prologue" is available in rose or white gold with a diameter of 44mm.

The "JJJ"

Inspired by signs and symbols, this new creation, the "JJJ", will remind the wearer of the planets associated with the day of the week. An indication Marc Jenni found on the watches of Johann Jakob Jenny, the oldest known ancestor of the Jenni family who practiced the profession of watch-making around 1780 in Glaris, Switzerland. The "JJJ" is available in rose or white gold with a diameter of 44mm.

A. Lange & Söhne, Richard Lange Tourbillon pour le mérite Handwerkskunst at Sotheby's

Today at Sotheby's auction the very fine and rare limited edition honey gold Richard Lange Tourbillon pour le mérite Handwerkskunst (10/15) was sold for 226.670 €. This is a very rare boutique timepiece which was produced only 15 times.

• cal. L072.1 finely engraved manual winding movement, diamond-set end stone to the tourbillon bridge
• fine grained gold dial, oversized minute ring, interlaced eccentric hour dial with Roman numerals and constant seconds combined with see-through tourbillon
• 18k honey gold polished case, brushed band, downturned lugs, sapphire crystal display back secured by 6 screws
• case, dial and movement signed
• with an 18k honey gold Lange buckle
• diameter 43mm

Making of the Blue Danube by Grieb & Benzinger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Fa-k6s3ME

This video shows the making of the Blue Danube by Grieb & Benzinger:

Watch case

Solid 43 mm diameter platinum case with anti-reflective, domed sapphire crystal and flat sapphire crystal on case back. Pusher and crown are made of solid platinum and decorated with guilloché. Screw-in sapphire crystal case back and bezel. Navy blue alligator skin strap with platinum buckle. Hand-skeletonized Sterling silver dial with overlapping displays and decorated with original Breguet frosted finish.

Movement

The 26-jewel movement is based on an historical minute repeater with split-seconds chronograph and manually wound. It was made by Patek Philippe for Tiffany New York about 1890. With a diameter of only 36.5 mm, this tremendous assembly of complications is rare in such a small movement. The compensation screw balance with blued Breguet spring beats at 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour. Keeping in mind that this movement is already about 120 years old, it is doubtlessly a sensation and tribute to historic watchmaking.
The detailed restoration of the more than 400 components of this extraordinary, complicated movement required intense attention. Every single component had to be disassembled, treated and restored, some had to be entirely replaced and, of course, they all had to be reassembled to form one functional unit after treatment. 

The base plate was first hand-skeletonized and hand-guilloché before being coated with the blue platinum developed by GRIEB & BENZINGER. The three-quarter plate was also hand-skeletonized and guilloché, coated with rhodium and rose gold. Every single bridge was skeletonized, guilloché and rhodium-plated, the hand-engraved balance cock was rhodium- and rose gold-plated. The visible spring barrel was guilloché. Even the wheels were guilloché, and the heads of all steel screws were polished by hand and classically tempered a cornflower blue over an open flame. All strike train parts including two polished steel hammers with two gongs, levers and springs were polished and beveled.