High-end watch brand Grieb & Benzinger has combined the enormous talents of Hermann Grieb, Georg Bartkowiak and Jochen Benzinger.
Hermann Grieb is a passionate watchmaker of the highest distinction. He specializes in the meticulous restoration of vintage movements. Georg Bartkowiak is responsible for design and marketing. Over the last few years he has devised some amazing wristwatch concepts for many prestigious companies. The third member of the team is dynamic Jochen Benzinger. This incredible artisan has refined the art of skeletonizing, engraving and guilloché.
The company’s impressive castle workshop is situated in the Swabian village of Grafenau, Germany. This idylic location provides Hermann Grieb with a perfect environment to work. Here he can dedicate his time to producing a range of intricate handmade movements. The Blue Sensation is a great example of his skill and is based on a historic Patek Philippe (for Tiffany) movement dating back to 1889.
In recent discussions with Georg Bartkowiak he recommended this wonderful piece as a subject for one of my forthcoming editorials. With a diameter measuring 49mm (excluding the pusher and crown) the Blue Sensation is a pretty large watch. It also is constructed out of luxurious platinum and weighs in at a solid 235 grams. Grieb & Benzinger state this is the heaviest platinum watch in the world. I have worn a few watches of this size and weight and have found them to be surprisingly comfortable. This is a unique timepiece that is clearly designed for the connoisseur. On that basis I should only imagine it would be worn on very special occasions and not for every day use.
Visually the Blue Sensation is absolutely mesmerizing. The overlapping sterling silver dials perfectly displays the hours, minutes and mechanical split seconds. I love the hand finished skeletonized façade showcasing the restored vintage movement. Other sublime features include the delicate blue hands; bold roman numerals, domed sapphire crystal and Breguet frosted finish decoration. The overall composition is magnificent and adheres to the finest traditions of Swiss watchmaking.
Hermann Grieb has dissembled and modified the vintage caliber to incorporate a regulator display. This mechanical manual winding movement comprises 26 jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour. Every component of this brilliant mechanism has been fastidiously engraved, decorated and assembled by hand. This entire splendor is also visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The Blue Sensation features hours, minutes, split seconds and chronograph functions.
The delightful Blue Sensation has a hand stitched navy blue alligator skin strap with platinum buckle. This amazing watch will appeal to the serious collector and is priced at: €238,000 (approximately $322,252).