Journal

Notes from the bench

Christian writes about the pieces, the people and the ateliers behind them.

Yellow gold George Daniels Anniversary watch with silver dial, Roman numerals and DANIELS signature on a black strap
Auctions · George Daniels Anniversary watch no. 4 of 35 at Sotheby’s George Daniels Anniversary watch no. 4 of 35, made with Roger W. Smith to mark the co-axial escapement, offered at Sotheby’s on 11 November.
Gold Breguet pocket watch with open case showing white dial with Roman numerals and back cover
Auctions · Christie’s, 10 November 2014 – Abraham-Louis Breguet Three Abraham-Louis Breguet pocket watches at Christie’s on 10 November 2014, including a montre à tact sold for 3,000 francs in 1800.
Universal Genève chronograph on khaki NATO strap, silver dial with 24-hour register and case back detail
Auctions · Christie’s, 10 November 2014 – a selection of chronographs A selection of chronographs from Christie’s 10 November 2014 sale: a Universal Genève split-second, three Eberhard chronographs and a Longines 13ZN.
Stainless steel A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 with silver dial, outsize date and brown leather strap
Auctions · Lange 1 in stainless steel at Dr. Crott, November 2014 A Lange 1 from 1998 in stainless steel, only the fourth such example known to have appeared at auction, was offered at Dr. Crott on 15 November 2014.
Benzinger 3/4 Skelett rose engine black edition worn on a wrist, steel case, black strap and skeletonised dial
Novelties · Benzinger – 3/4 Skelett rose engine, black edition The Benzinger 3/4 Skelett rose engine black edition has a black PVD movement, an original Breguet frosted dial and a 42 mm stainless steel case.
Benzinger Black T 24h with white upper dial, black Roman numeral ring and small blue hand on a dark background
Novelties · Benzinger – Black T 24h Jochen Benzinger’s Black T 24h shows the 24 hours as sun and moon on a two-part dial, with a movement based on an ETA 6498 heavily modified in-house.
Rose gold A. Lange & Söhne moon phase wristwatch with silver dial, blue hands and brown strap
Auctions · Lange and Patek Philippe at Sotheby’s, 8 October Four lots from Sotheby’s 8 October sale: two A. Lange & Söhne limited editions and Patek Philippe references 2526 and 3450.
Gold-plated Breitling Top Time chronograph with black dial, white subdials and brown strap
Auctions · Bonhams, 16 September 2014 – chronographs from 1930 to 1965 Chronographs from 1930 to 1965 offered at Bonhams on 16 September 2014, with estimates between €630 and €2,800.
Yellow gold George Daniels Millennium wristwatch on a brown strap, lying on handwritten notes listing dial and hands
Auctions · George Daniels Millennium sold at Bonhams A yellow gold George Daniels Millennium sold at Bonhams for €182,759; the series of 50 was finished by Roger W. Smith.
Man in white lab coat and dark tie holding a small watch, smiling, wristwatch on his left wrist
People · Andersen Genève Svend Andersen, born in Denmark in 1942 and co-founder of the AHCI, worked at Patek Philippe before founding his own workshop in 1979.
Engraved silver pocket watch with white enamel dial, Roman numerals and small seconds, on a dark leather surface
People · The pocket watch of my great-grandfather A plain silver pocket watch with no brand on the dial and no complication, and the object where Christian Bissener’s passion for watches began.
Portrait of Beat Haldimann, watchmaker, seated in a black shirt and glasses with one hand raised to his ear
People · Haldimann Horology Beat Haldimann, born in 1964, builds tourbillon watches under his Haldimann Horology brand, from the H1 of 2002 to the H11 of 2013.