Ernst Benz News: Chronoscope PVD

[stuffler,mike]

Ernst Benz released the Limited Edition ChronoScope to celebrate the introduction
of the Instrument Series, a new collection of timepieces inspired by Benz’s original
aircraft instrumentation. In the continual effort to tell the story of Ernst Benz and the
precision aviation instruments the company is renowned for, Leonid Khankin,
Ernst Benz Designer and Managing Director, introduced new dial and set of hands
reminiscent of the original mid-century design that inspired the cockpit gauges Mr. Benz
produced in the 1960s and 70s.

Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, this Limited Edition ChronoScope is available
exclusively in Ernst Benz’s signature 47mm size with two different dials; one being matte as
in the original aircraft version for legibility and the other being made of carbon fibre mesh,
a material often found in aerospace applications; both versions are limited to 250 pieces.
The dial’s numerals and hands are finished either in white luminescent for legibility or orange luminescent;
as orange has a specific meaning in aviation for attention.
The hands were designed to be exactly like the needles of the gauges of Benz’s original aircraft instruments,
and for this release, custom black calendar disks were produced to complement the finish
of the dial printed in corresponding colors to match either the white or orange numerals.

The case of the watch has been black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coated to be
non-reflective and resemble the finish of an aircraft cockpit panel. As in all Ernst Benz
Great Circle models, the watch features an exhibition back, which allows the wearer to
observe the mechanical movement. Unique to this series is a custom rotor for the movement.
The new signature EB rotor has been cut out with the EB symbol flagged by wings so as to
give the appearance that the rotor is almost flying as it spins. For this series, the rotor has
been coated in black PVD to match the finish of the case.

For a company whose roots began in aviation instrumentation, the Ernst Benz Instrument
Series marks a return to its essence; a watch inspired by the legendary gauges Mr. Benz
produced.


Specs:

* CALIBER: Automatic Valjoux 7750, Incabloc, Glucydur Balance,
Nivarox Alloy Hairspring.
* FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds, Day and Date,
Chronograph: Hours, Minutes and Central Seconds.
* CASE: 47mm, Black PVD Brushed Stainless Steel, Dispaly Back
with Sapphire Crystal
* CROWN: Knurled, Double 0-Ring Sealed.
* CRYSTAL: Domed Sapphire Glass with a-r treatment
on the lower side.
* STRAP: Nylon, Calf Leather, Aviator Leather, Handmade Alligator,
and Aviator Alligator.
* WATER RESISTANT: 5 Atmospheres / 50mm / 165ft.

The matte dial model is available with a ballistic nylon strap for $5,100 while
the carbon fibre mesh dial is available with a unique matching rubberized strap for $5,600;
both models can also be purchased with Ernst Benz’s signature hand-stitched Louisiana
alligator strap for $5,400 and $5,900 respectively.