Three Benzinger timepieces: Mont Ventoux, Zeitsprung and Vollskelett

Collecting · · by Christian Bissener


Benzinger wristwatch with a hand-painted landscape dial in yellow and blue on grey cork

Three very special timepieces by Benzinger started the year 2016.

Benzinger by Zanella – Au pied du Mont Ventoux

The dial is an original painting in oil on canvas by Léon Zanella, showing a landscape of the Provence with Mont Ventoux in the background: “Au pied du Mont Ventoux”. It is a unique timepiece that will never be produced again, although other watches with different paintings can be created. More on the project: Benzinger by Zanella. There is also an interview with Léon Zanella about it.

Close view of the painted dial with yellow wheat fields, blue sky and the Benzinger name at the top
Original oil painting by Léon Zanella as dial

The painted landscape dial watch worn on the wrist with a black leather strap
On the wrist

Certificate of authenticity in French for the Zanella painting, with a small reproduction and signature
Certificate of authenticity for the painting

Benzinger Zeitsprung

Only 25 pieces were made. The Zeitsprung uses a Kasper 1415 movement from the 1960s, modified in-house for the jumping hour mechanism. All the guilloché, skeletonisation and engraving is done by hand, and the dial is finished with original Breguet frost, a highly complicated process.

Benzinger Zeitsprung with silver dial, two small rectangular windows and a blue hand on a black strap
Benzinger Zeitsprung

Skeletonised movement seen through the back with rose-gold wheels and engraved text on the case ring
The hand-engraved, skeletonised movement

The Zeitsprung with silver dial and blue hand worn on the wrist
On the wrist

Benzinger Vollskelett

A full skeleton with a rose-gilded movement, finished entirely by hand: guilloché, skeletonisation and engraving. It is a striking presence on the wrist, and the movement is also available in black or white.

Benzinger Vollskelett at an angle on a black leather strap, rose-gold bridges and wheels on a dark background
Benzinger Vollskelett

Close view of the skeletonised dial with rose-gold wheels and blue hands on a black box
Rose-gilded, fully skeletonised movement

The Vollskelett on a wrist with a striped blue shirt, rose-gold movement and black leather strap
On the wrist

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