Manufacturer: Benzinger Year: 2022 Model Name: GAP 1 "Prototype" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, 19 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Benzinger Alligator strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless Steel Benzinger pin buckle Dimensions: 39mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, bracelet and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Jochen Benziner original letter, original prototype sketches, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Pforzheim-based, Jochen Benzinger has delighted collectors worldwide with his congenial engravings and Breguet-style dials. Considered to be a contemporary craftsman, his uniquely hand-finished timepieces are reminiscent of a craft, practiced by hand, that is now almost completely forgotten. Austrian-based, Habring is a multi-time Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) award winner. Originally founded in 2004 by the husband-and-wife team of Richard and Maria Habring, the company is best known for concentrating on making timepieces with features and complications rarely found in today's market. Officially released in 2022, the Jochen Benzinger GAP 1, short for "German Austrian Partnership", represents a novelty and leap forward for the Benzinger watch brand. In fact, for the realisation of the GAP 1, the Pforzheim watchmaker collaborated with Habring to produce a new manual movement specifically developed based on Benzinger's specifications and needs. Consequently, the movement is not found in any other watch from either watchmakers.
Unmistakably bearing signature Benzinger details, the guilloché dial is artistically produced with the use of antique rose engines used to engrave interesting guilloché patterns, all by hand. The dial further features flame blued Breguet hands along with Roman hour numerals all beautifully encircled by materials such as silver or rose gold. The craft and technique used for the dial is directly inspired by the works of Breguet. Beautiful and elegant, the dial is just as impressive as the richly designed movement whose grandeur is only revealed to the wearer. The movement is further enriched with a tangential screw for finer adjustments and KIF shock protection.
The present timepiece represents the culmination of a dream for Jochen Benzinger as it is the first prototype of the later 50 pieces limited-edition series. Confirmed through an official letter from Benzinger himself the timepiece is further accompanied with the original project sketches. In exceptional condition and with its full set of accessories, the present timepiece is an exceptional opportunity for the collector of rare and extraordinary timepieces.