Jochen Benzinger might easily be described as a master of guilloche.
While most watchmakers, even those of monumental standing, have given in to the demands of time and economy and resorted to a stamped guilloche-like treatment for their watch dials; few still make the extra effort to produce this exquisite finish by hand, Jochen Benzinger belongs to the later group and he is truly at the pinnacle of the art.
An engraver by trade, Jochen does contract work for several major players in the Swiss and German horo-scene. His skeletonization skills can be seen through the display back of some very notable watches that don't bear his signature. With the benefit of the creative license that comes with your own watch brand, all of Mr. Benzinger's talents are showcased in the watches that bear his name.
The Benzinger Subscription II has a hand-guilloched sterling silver dial that exhibits the original "Breguet" frosting. The hour and minute dial is moved north a bit to accommodate a large subdial at 6 o'clock to indicate seconds.
Powering the Subscription II is a Unitas 5425 manually wound movement that exhibits such a high degree of guilloche, engraving, and skeletonization; that it's virtually unrecognizable. Even the ring holding the movement is deep with guilloche.
As a small and nimble firm, Benzinger can customize the presentation to suit the tastes of the individual collector. The price of the Subscription II is in the neighborhood of $9,000 US. In this price range, it would be nearly impossible to find another watch that's crafted with the level of care and detail of the Subscription II.
Kudos to Jochen Benzinger and his small crew in Pforzheim for breathing new life into an old and worthwhile art.
