Wow Watch Wednesday: The Grieb & Benzinger Blue Wave
One of a kind. That is the only way this superb new offering from the master craft-men at Grieb & Benzinger can be described; in part because it is true and in part because words simply fail us when we attempt to do otherwise. A classic beauty in every sense, this stunning timepiece will capture the hearts and minds of novice and seasoned collectors alike. Impeccable in its execution and attention detail, the lucky owner will no doubt spend hours simply staring at this masterpiece.
Something Old, Something New
We first came across Grieb & Benzinger and the fascinating work they do when we wrote about another exceptional one of a kind piece they produced based on a fully restored, modified Patek Philippe Minute Repeater movement from 1887. If you missed this article we strongly encourage you to check it out here as it also includes a brief history on the company.
This latest creation again demonstrates the company’s stunning aptitude for building timepieces around revitalized vintage movements. After countless hours of painstaking restoration, hand skeletonization, hand-engraving and guilloché the rare Minerva column wheel chronograph movement estimated to be from about 1925 has been reborn as a breathtaking piece of horological art.
Well, more specifically, as an 18-karat rose gold monopusher skeletonized chronograph christened The Blue Wave.
Still, to fully appreciate this masterpiece one must understand all the work that has gone into creating it. The antique calibre was completely disassembled and restored by hand, no mean feat when you consider the parts are at least 85 years old! The base plate was hand-skeletonized to its bare minimum before being guilloché and coated in the company’s trademark blue platinum. The bridges and cocks are all rhodium-plated and guilloche with the spring barrel also hand-skeletonized.
The 46mm case is crafted from solid 18-karat rose gold, as are the buttons and crown, with the buttons receiving special attention on top in the form of guilloche. The eye-catching dial is hand-skeletonized sterling silver with original Breguet frosted finish, and is accented by flamed blue screws throughout the movement and flame-blued subsidiary seconds hand and 30-minute hand, the latter featuring a red tip. A subtle yet distinctive finishing touch.
In terms of functions the beautifully restored movements features sweep hours and minutes, sweep chronograph second hand, 30-minute counter in the subdial at 3 o’clock and a subsidiary seconds hand at 9 o’clock which is permanently running.
Presented on a black alligator strap with 18-karat rose gold buckle, the one-of-a-kind Blue Wave will retail for €87,500 (approximately US$118,000 based on the current exchange rates.)
The Final Word
When we first laid eyes on the Minute Repeater 2 from Grieb & Benzinger, we genuinely wondered what the company could possibly produce next to achieve that same awe-inspiring feeling. We think it’s safe to say, with quite a degree of confidence, that our question has well and truly been answered!
Not only does this latest timepiece showcase the exceptional talents of the hands and minds which have produced it, but it also demonstrates their complete and utter commitment to producing truly astonishing one-of-a-kind pieces that remain true to the origins of the movements through which they are animated.A rare and altogether remarkable combination, we remain in quiet wonder as to what will come next.
To learn more about this remarkable company and for your opportunity to add this exceptional timepiece to your collection please visit their official website at: www.grieb-benzinger.de
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