I’m hoping at least one of our readers got the literary reference there? Well, even if you haven’t, I thought I’d bring your attention to one of the most meticulously-decorated “skeleton” watches I’ve ever seen, from none other than Grieb & Benzinger.
The model in question, appropriately enough, is the Dragon. While it’s available in four colors, I’ve focused in on the blue model (product page). Given you see so much of it, you’re probably curious as to what movement is included in the watch – and here, I found an unexpected treasure – they’re actually refurbishing “classic” movements from 1890 – 1930. So, not only are you getting a watch that breathes new life into an old movement, you’re getting something from an era that some would call the “heyday” of mechanicals. In this specific watch, you have:
Manually wound movement, completely skeletonized, engraved and guilloché by hand, flame-blued screws, flame-blued crown and ratchet wheel, gold coated steel hands hour and minute indication, small second indication at “9”.
Frankly, that movement, and the decoration done to both sides is simply stunning. That means the case to go with it has to be superb as well. I think they’ve hit the mark here:
Solid 18kt white gold case with screwed-in and hand-guilloché bezel with domed sapphire crystal or solid 18kt white gold case lugs and screwed-in bezel set with 124 baguette diamonds, screwed-in strap lugs, solid gold crown, screwed-in case-back with flat sapphire crystal, case diameter 43 mm, hand-made alligator strap with gold buckle.
This is, most certainly, a piece of art you’d wear on your wrist. Or, more likely, store in a vault until a special occasion arises. This is due to my assumption that there is no small pricetag on this piece, given the materials involved, the work done, and the fact that G&B only produces around ten watches per year. So, while many of us will never see one in person, let alone own one, it’s work like this that truly makes me appreciate what can be done with a fine timepiece.
