Keeping it Complicated

with Ernst Benz -

Ernst Benz make a lot of interesting watches, have a lot of interesting partnerships, and the man heading up this brand has A LOT OF POSITIVE ENERGY!

And while there has been a lot of talk about partnerships with rock stars, future "pro-bowlers" and a certain fashion designer who makes wonderful clothes that I am still 20 lbs. north of looking good in, I am frequently drawn back to their more traditional pieces.

This is the ChronoLunar Officer -

Courtesy of Ernst Benz

44 mm stainless steel case, Valjoux 7751 under the hood, and perhaps one of the most beautiful dials I have seen for this particular set-up. Several brands offer a watch based on this movement, but precious few take the time to do something beyond black ; ). The gold toned hands, indices and sub-dial rings are wonderfully different! This is a watch that will stand the test of time and be passed on from generation to generation. A watch that is of its time while being timeless. With this one, the team at Ernst Benz knocked it out of the park!

And a brief word about the team - I go to BaselWorld EVERY year.  And to be honest, I am starting to feel the need to keep a dossier on each brand so that I can update the frequent comings and goings. And in this, over my time covering watches, Ernst Benz has shown to be a truly unique brand in that it has managed maintain a core team from year to year.  They are cordial, professional and accommodating, which when dealing with some of the nastier spokespeople of the SWATCH Group  (yes Breguet, that means you) is an incredibly welcome breath of fresh air.  

Here are the details, and I am going to raid the piggy-bank:

SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL: GC40384

CALIBER: Automatic Valjoux 7751, Incabloc, Glucydur Balance, Nivarox Alloy Hairspring 

FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds, Day, Date, Month, 24 hour display and Phases of the Moon. Chronograph: Hours, Minutes and Central Seconds 

CASE: 44mm polished stainless steel 

CROWN - knurled, double O-ring sealed 

CRYSTAL - domed sapphire glass with anti-reflective treatment on the lower side. 

WATER RESISTANT to 5 Atmospheres, 50m/165ft. 

DIAL: White w/Gold hands and numerals 

STRAP: Handmade Alligator