In honor of the bicentennial of its esteemed founder, Moritz Grossmann unveils two refreshed iterations of its distinguished Benu Power Reserve timepiece. These new models blend the brand's rich heritage with a contemporary aesthetic, featuring dark themes and modern materials. Each watch is a testament to Glashütte's precision watchmaking, meticulously crafted and hand-finished in limited quantities by the independent manufacture.
The Benu collection, first introduced in 2010 with the innovative manual-winding Calibre 100.0, evolved in 2013 with the Calibre 100.2 to incorporate a unique linear power reserve display. Unlike conventional fan-shaped indicators, the Benu's power reserve is subtly integrated at the 12 o'clock position, using a two-tone linear design. This discreet yet effective mechanism showcases the brand's commitment to both form and function.
Contemporary Design and Dial Details
The latest Benu Power Reserve models, launched to celebrate the brand founder's 200th anniversary, draw inspiration from both the 12th-anniversary editions, with their contemporary steel and black-coated steel cases, and the 2025 sector-style designs known for their dynamic textures and unique hand configurations. These new 41mm timepieces, with a height of 11.65mm, come in either brushed matte stainless steel or dark grey DLC-coated steel, offering a modern and sporty allure. Each watch features a striking dark grey sector dial, meticulously designed with varying textures and depths, framed by a slender bezel that enhances its sophisticated appearance.
The anthracite sector-style dial is a masterpiece of design, featuring a smooth peripheral minutes track with crisp white numerals and a snailed chapter ring adorned with applied Arabic numerals at key positions (12, 2, 4, 8, 10 o'clock) and elegant markers. The central area, finished with a matte grain, is where the distinctive linear power reserve indicator resides, nestled between the 12 o'clock mark and the central axis of the hands. This 42-hour indicator, displayed within a trapezoid window, transitions from white to dark grey as the power depletes, harmonizing with the watch's overall dark aesthetic. A recessed sub-dial for the small seconds, seamlessly integrated into the grained center, completes the intricate dial layout.
Exquisite Craftsmanship and Mechanical Excellence
A defining feature of these sector dial editions is their meticulously crafted hands, which are subtly wider, more domed, and rounder than those found on other Benu Power Reserve variations. Fashioned from polished and beveled steel, these hands boast delicate, wafer-thin tips, and the minute hand's counterweight is a distinct closed rhomboid. This attention to detail extends to the winding mechanism, which incorporates Moritz Grossmann's patented winder-and-pusher system. This ingenious design prevents dust intrusion when the crown is manipulated, a testament to the brand's dedication to preserving the movement's integrity.
The heart of these timepieces is the in-house manual-winding Calibre 100.2, visible through the sapphire exhibition caseback. This classic pillar movement, derived from the Calibre 100.1, features an additional differential gear specifically for the power reserve display. The movement is adorned with traditional hand finishes, including Glashütte ribbing on the 2/3 plate, and a hand-engraved balance cock that cradles the slow-beating 18,000 vph Grossmann balance wheel. Both models are paired with elegant black kudu leather straps and are strictly limited to 18 pieces each, retailing at EUR 40,800 (excluding taxes), offering a blend of exceptional artistry and mechanical sophistication.
