Independents

Alright, alright....I have a small confession to make...I have always been captivated by anything that looks vintage and I admired the work of independent watchmakers so when I first saw the timepieces produced by Moritz Grossmann, I was immediately love-struck.

The brand was founded in 1854 in Dresden by Moritz Grossmann, who also initiated and designed the curriculum for the German School of Watchmaking in 1878. The present manufacture was established in 2008 by Christine Hutter, a marketing guru who emerged from Wempe and Lange & Sohne, with support from her family.

The new timepieces were launched under a couple of series, among which were the Atum and Benu lines. Without much ado, here are some pictures of the Benu Power Reserve in rose gold that I was fortunate to acquire:

First of all, note the immaculate packaging

The Benu Power Reserve has a neoclassic style and a prominently featured two-colored power reserve indicator

The generously-proportioned sapphire crystal back has an anti-reflective coating. Notice the 2/3 plate...

There is a pusher just under the crown serving as the train-setting starter. Notice also the butterfly clasp that secure the watch firmly on the wrist

The Benu sitting snugly with other rose gold pieces, some from the same town!

The 100.2 Caliber movement is equipped with the newly developed Grossmann balance

I especially like the elegantly tapered lugs, the Arabic, Breguet-style indices, the crisp minute scale and the hands that are polished to a high gloss

Hope you have enjoyed the pictures.

Sam

So the push button serve as a start/stop button for the movement?

Correct. The manufacture produces just over 100 pieces each year, all models included.

Best

Sam

When the watch is 'stopped', does it simply disengage the minute hand/second hand while the movement is still ticking or the movement actually STOP?

When I pull the crown to re-set the watch, the whole movement stops.

Sam

Now I'm slightly confused.   So pulling out the crown AND pushing the button at 4 would both stop the time?

and enable adjustment of the hour and minute hands.

Pushing the button will activate the movement. Sorry to have confused you.

Sam

So pulling out the crown will STOP the movement but pushing the crown back in will NOT re-start the movement.    Instead one needs to push the button to restart!     Can't wait to see it!   Congrats again Sam.  Looks like a real winner and fit in PERFECTLY with your other German pieces!

Pushing the button will enable the crown to engage again. I think that is very neat.

I will bring the watch for you to play around next time we meet.

Sam

On various watches where I can pull out the crown to stop the time, I found it frustrating to set the PERFECTLY precise time, then upon pushing the crown back in, accidentally turn the crown slightly during the process such that the unintentional 'additional' adjustment is made.     I tried to resolve this small annoyance by gently pushing the watch crown down on table w/ fabric. 

Looks like this neat feature can solve that problem perfectly.  

The Grossmann balance does look huge.    Does it make it 'easier' or 'harder' to restart when you try to wind it up?

The watch reminds me the older Union Glashuette watches from the Bergter series: arabical numbers, Eisenbahn-Minuterie etc.

The Lang and Heyne is Frederich III in 40 mm. It is one of my four pieces of the brand.

Best
Sam

from their unique hands! Please more pics!!

My favourite one is the Number 2 with black dial, rose gold.

Is uniquely numbered, though may not be of the same metal.

Yes, that one is a monopusher chronograph in PT with enamel dial and one of my favorites.

Best
Sam

Thanks for profiling this brand.  I didn't know much about them.

The movement is exceptional!

And the finishing is superb, very much comparable to Lange.

Best

Sam

And thanks for sharing this new purchase with us! A new brand I have not heard of - fantastic movement and a very nice watch

Enjoy in the best of health!

Cheers
Robin

I believe the Lange people do not want to talk much about them as Christine led a whole team to the new manufacture and that was seen as a defection...

Two more incoming in the pipeline!

Best

Sam

This watch is really interesting, the hands, the crown's shape... and this movement looks wide and beautiful.

They succeeded to mix modern elements (numerals, PR indicator....) with a classical case.

It is a beautiful watch Sam, congratulations!

Cheers, Mark


This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2015-06-04 07:30:22

I read an article about Moritz in a watch magazine...Interesting!

I really started learning about watches ever since I joined this site
Sam

from the first time I saw them, and this may be my favorite.  

I would prefer the Atum line but when i saw them in the flesh, i realized they are too similar to the Laurent Ferriers so I went for the Benu.
Regards
Sam

Love the watch.  Thanks for posting.

...you have a magnificent eye for elegant watches. Thank you for bringing this story to us.

I am still learning......and still paying tuition fees

Best
Sam