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December 19, 2012updated Aug 21, 2013

ERNST BENZ

By Chris Boyle

Ernst Benz

Inspired by the passion of creativity and driven by their independent spirit, Ernst Benz produces a collection of exclusively mechanical timepieces.

Designed and manufactured in the traditional Swiss manner, Ernst Benz timepieces are known for their durability, accuracy and reliability, exemplifying their slogan, “Precision instruments for timekeeping.”

The craftsmen and designers of Ernst Benz have united their talents, experience and passion to develop and manufacture the Great Circle Collection based on the spirit of travel and the art of watchmaking. They draw on influences from the great watches of the mid century to create these technically exceptional “Modern Vintage” timepieces for which the brand is known. Great Circle consists of three collections: Traditional, Contemporary and Instrument, which tell the story of the company, its founder and its watchmakers. Originally produced in the historical 47mm aviation size in very small numbers by Ernst Benz himself, the collection is now available in a full range of models and sizes.

Ernst Benz was originally founded half a century ago as a precision instrument manufacturer by its namesake, a brilliant inventor and aviator. Today the company is led by Managing & Creative Director Leonid Khankin, a second-generation watchmaker. Deeply passionate about horological perfection, Khankin ensures that all timepieces bearing the Ernst Benz mark are built to exacting criteria without compromise, demonstrating the highest level of watchmaking craftsmanship.

Thanks to the technical skill and artistry of the Ernst Benz workshops these exceptionally finished timepieces are destined to become legends in the world of watchmaking. For more information, visit www.ernstbenz.com or www.facebook.com/ernstbenz.

CHRONOLUNAR DLC

ChronoLunar

47mm DLC ChronoLunar, GC10311-DLC.

This new version of the original signature Ernst Benz model features a case coated in DLC (diamond-like carbon). The black dial features green luminous numerals. The chronograph shows hours, minutes and central seconds; there are also displays for the day, date and month, as well as a 24-hour display and the phases of the moon. This timepiece has an exhibition back with sapphire glass, which highlights the unique rotor of its automatic movement (Aviator alligator strap: $7,750).

CHRONOSPORT DLC

ChronoSport

47mm DLC ChronoSport, GC10216- DLC.

The uncomplicated version of the original features the signature Great Circle case coated in DLC (diamondlike carbon). The black dial has orange luminous numerals showing hours, minutes and sweep seconds. The GC10216-DLC has an exhibition back with sapphire glass highlighting the unique rotor of its automatic movement. The case is water resistant to five ATM (Aviator alligator strap: $4,000).

CHRONOSCOPE DLC

ChronoScope

47mm DLC ChronoScope, GC10117- DLC.

This new version of the original features the signature Great Circle case coated in DLC (diamond-like carbon). The black dial features yellow numerals representing hours, minutes and subsidiary seconds, while the chronograph shows hours, minutes and central seconds. Exhibition back with sapphire glass featuring unique black rotor of its movement (Aviator alligator strap: $5,700).

CHRONODIVER — INSTRUMENT

ChronoDiver

47mm ChronoDiver, GC10721.

This model is inspired by history, featuring a brushed stainless steel case with a unidirectional rotating bezel with 60-minute elapsed timing scale. The black dial is finished with concentric circles, applied steel and luminously green numerals. The chronograph shows hours, minutes and central seconds and the watch also indicates the day and date. The ChronoDiver has an exhibition back with sapphire glass and it is water resistant to 20 ATM (Aviator alligator strap: $5,800).

CHRONOFLITE WORLDTIMER

47mm ChronoFlite World Timer

47mm ChronoFlite World Timer, GC10851.

Based on the story of the Great Circle and travel, the ChronoFlite features a polished stainless steel case with an extra crown at the eleven o’clock position for adjustment of the internal ring featuring major cities of each time zone. The black dial has a globe pattern with applied steel, white luminous numerals. The triangle of the red GMT hand allows for a second time zone, while it points to the city the user keeps as base for world time. The date is also displayed on the dial. The watch has an exhibition back with sapphire glass highlighting its movement (alligator strap: $5,500).

CHRONOSCOPE LIMITED EDITION

ChronoScope Limited Edition

Limited edition, 47mm ChronoScope PVD, GC10171N.

Telling the story of the original instrument built by the founder of the company, this limited-edition piece features a PVD-brushed stainless steel case. This Instrument Series model has a black matte dial with white luminous numerals and hands like the original instrument gauges built by the brand. The timepiece has a chronograph that indicates hours, minutes and central seconds and features a day and date calendar. It has an exhibition back with sapphire glass, which highlights the black rotor of its movement (alligator strap: $5,800).

JOHNVARVATOS LIMITED EDITION

John Varvatos Limited Edition ChronoScope

47mm Ernst Benz by John Varvatos Limited Edition ChronoScope, GC10410-JV/2.

This timepiece is a collaboration and features a unique case developed especially for this series with an angled and polished bezel as well as polished square pushers against a brushed case. The anthracite dial with vintage black luminous numerals features a special patina finish and matching hands that reflex the aesthetic of Varvatos. The chronograph shows hours, minutes and central seconds and also shows the day and date. Exhibition back features the movement through sapphire glass (alligator strap: $6,800).

CHRONOLUNAR OFFICER

ChronoLunar Officer

47mm ChronoLunar Officer, GC10381.

This more refined version of the original model features a polished stainless steel case, a black dial with applied steel numerals and steel hands. The watch shows hours, minutes and subsidiary seconds, as well as the day, date and month. The watch highlights the phases of the moon and features a chronograph that displays hours, minutes and central seconds. There is also a sub-dial indicating 24-hour display. The exhibition back highlights its movement (alligator strap: $7,200).

CHRONOLUNAR OFFICER

ChronoLunar Officer, GC10381

47mm ChronoLunar Officer, GC10381.

This sophisticated interpretation features a polished stainless steel case, a white dial and applied gold numerals and matching gold hands. The watch shows hours, minutes and subsidiary seconds, as well as the day, date and month. The watch highlights the phases of the moon and features a chronograph that displays hours, minutes and central seconds. There is also a sub-dial indicating 24-hour display. The exhibition back highlights its movement (alligator strap: $7,200).

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