Benzinger ONE with a Patek Philippe movement of about 1917

For the Benzinger ONE collection, Jochen Benzinger always uses rare vintage movements, from makers such as Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and Rolex, and finishes them in the legendary Benzinger style: hand guilloché, hand engraving and hand skeletonising.

This unique piece uses a rare Patek Philippe movement from about 1917, sold at the time to Henry J. Howe in New York. A Patek Philippe cross appears at 6 o’clock and in the small seconds at 9 o’clock, as a tribute to the manufacture.

Silver skeleton watch with a white dial and blue hands, black box with white lettering behind — Benzinger ONE with a Patek Philippe movement of about 1917

The movement

The detail of the movement is extraordinary. Jochen Benzinger kept the beautifully shaped bridges in their original form and finished them with a hand-made sun guilloché. The balance cock is hand engraved and all screws are flame blued. The original Patek Philippe engravings are rose gold plated, with black lettering to set them off from the bridges.

Silver watch with openwork movement and rubies seen through the dial, black strap, on a dark box — The finished movement

Silver watch with openwork movement and a red ruby, black strap, seen straight on a dark box — Bridges with sun guilloché and flame-blued screws

The case measures 42 mm in diameter and sits well on the wrist.

Silver skeleton watch with rose gold scrolls and blue details worn on a wrist — Worn on the wrist

Photographs: Watch Collector by Christian Bissener.

Benzinger watches can be ordered through Watch Collector – see Benzinger or get in touch.

Benzinger ONE – a Patek Philippe movement of 1917

The movement