Journal

Notes from the bench

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

Grieb & Benzinger St. George with blue guilloché regulator dial, Roman numerals and open view of the movement at six, on a navy strap
Novelties · Grieb & Benzinger “St. George” Grieb & Benzinger’s St. George, made for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, has a hand-engraved St. George and a 43 mm palladium white gold case.
Black and white photo of a watchmaker in profile working at a precision lathe
Atelier · Benzinger – from sketch to finished watch A photo report on how Jochen Benzinger makes a personalised 3/4 Skelett, from the first drawing to the finished watch.
Marc Jenni Prologue in steel with dark blue dial and black alligator strap, angled view
People · Marc Jenni – independent watchmaker and creator of haute horlogerie After about fifteen years at Tiffany & Co. in New York, Marc Jenni launched his crownless Prologue in 2010, followed by the JJJ and the Arch.
McGonigle tourbillon wristwatch with silver dial, blue-tinted hands and black strap, shown against a blue backdrop
People · McGonigle Watches – high horology from Ireland The brothers John and Stephen McGonigle make hand-crafted high horology in Ireland, from a tourbillon with a 110-hour reserve to the Tuscar Bánú.
Benzinger wristwatch with black case, white frosted dial with Roman numerals and open small seconds, black strap
Novelties · Benzinger – three new watches Three new Benzinger watches: a DLC 3/4 Skelett with an all-black movement, a Vollskelett Diamond with about 3 carats, and a Subskription IV all black.
Benzinger Subskription III with silvered guilloché dial, Roman numerals and small seconds, on a black ground
Collecting · Benzinger “Subskription III” The Benzinger Subskription III: a 42 mm watch with a two-part hand-guilloché Breguet frosted dial and a hand-engraved, hand-skeletonised movement.
Benzinger Zeitsprung II with a steel case, a silver guilloché dial and an arched jump hour window, on a dark box
Collecting · Benzinger – Zeitsprung II The Benzinger Zeitsprung II is a limited jump hour watch of 25 pieces, built on rare Kasper 1415 movements, in steel and gold with different dial finishes.
Benzinger 3/4 skeleton wristwatch in steel with rose gold engraved wheels and black strap
Collecting · Benzinger 3/4 Skelett The Benzinger 3/4 Skelett has a hand-skeletonised, hand-engraved and hand-guilloché movement and a Breguet-frost dial.
Benzinger Zeitmaschine II chronograph with a steel case, a silver guilloché dial, blue hands and two sub-dials
Collecting · Benzinger – Zeitmaschine II The Benzinger Zeitmaschine II is one of two Benzinger chronographs, with a hand-guilloché dial with three sub-dials and a movement coated in blue platinum.
Benzinger Regulateur wristwatch with black dial, two Roman chapter rings and open small seconds
Collecting · Benzinger Regulateur The Benzinger Regulateur comes in black, with a PVD-coated ground dial, and in white, with a blue platinum movement, both hand guilloché.
Benzinger full skeleton wristwatch with rose gold scroll wheels, black strap on display box
Collecting · Benzinger Full Skeleton The Benzinger Full Skeleton, skeletonised and engraved entirely by hand, comes in three versions: rose gold, black PVD or rhodium-plated movement.
Benzinger Subscription IV with Roman numeral dial, blue-toned opening and black strap
Collecting · Benzinger Subscription IV The Benzinger Subscription IV has a two-part Breguet-style dial and a blue platinum main plate, in a 42 mm case also available in gold.