New Sector Dials for the Moritz Grossmann Benu Power Reserve

Ferdinand Adolph Lange was the founding father of Glashütte’s proud watchmaking tradition, attracting like-minded entrepreneurs and suppliers of parts to the region. One of these was Lange’s good friend, Moritz Grossmann, who set up shop in 1854. Revived in 2008 by Christine Hutter, Moritz Grossmann is admired today for its original, ultra-refined, understated, beautifully crafted watches. The Benu Power Reserve collection welcomes two new variations in gold cases featuring refreshed sector-style dials.

The Benu Power Reserve debuted in 2013 with a two-tone linear power reserve gauge on the dial. Available with Arabic numerals and a more classical edition with Roman numerals, the new references share identical specifications but come with significant changes on the dial. The power reserve indicator maintains its position on the dial midway between noon and the central axis of the hour and minute hands and is displayed in an elongated trapezoid window with a blue and white bar. With the mainspring fully wound, the bar is white.

Playing with different textures and heights in the fashion of Art Deco sector dials, the smooth peripheral minute track printed in a dark grey colour is slightly higher than the chapter ring for the hours, decorated with a series of ultra-thin grooves known as azurage. The three-dimensional blue Arabic hour numerals and markers are applied to the chapter ring that frames the matte, grained area in the centre of the dial. While it may resemble the brand’s gorgeous tremblage dials, the slightly grained surface appears more uniform and lacks sparkle.

Adding another layer of interest, the recessed small seconds dial at 6 o’clock echoes the smooth finish of the peripheral track. The slender hands for the hours, minutes, and seconds are made in-house and an MG speciality. Introducing a new shape, the steel hands are slightly wider. Bevelled and tempered, the rich blue colour of the hands is the tone used for the hour markers and the blue bar in the power reserve gauge.

Sharing the same 41mm three-part Benu case, with a height of 11.65mm and elegant tapering lugs, the new references are available in white and rose gold cases. The crown, used to wind the watch and set the time, is accompanied by a pusher and the brand’s patented winder and pusher system, an ingenious device to stop dust from entering the case when the crown is pulled.

Visible on the reverse is the manual-winding, in-house calibre 100.2. A classic pillar movement with a 2/3 German silver plate bridge, the Grossmann balance beats at a sedate 18,000vph and the mainspring stores a power reserve of 42 hours. Exquisitely finished, the bridge features Glashütte ribbing, and the balance cock is engraved by hand.

The watches are paired with a soft grey Kudu leather strap with blue stitching to match the blue elements on the dial. The retail price is EUR 53,300. More information at grossmann-uhren.com.