Benu Date

• Case: 18-karat white gold
• Size: 41mm
• Movement: hand-wound manufacture movement 100.3
• Function: jumping date
• Power Reserve: approximately 42 hours
• Dial: solid silver, champagne
• Caseback: sapphire crystal
• Hands: steel, annealed to a brown hue
• Strap/Bracelet: hand-stitched alligator leather
• Factory Warranty: two years

The date indication, a complication coveted and often discussed by watch enthusiasts, is a comparatively recent development in the long history of precision watchmaking. The first wristwatches with an analog date were only just introduced in the early 20th century. For their date display in the Benu Date, Grossmann’s watchmakers adopted this classic format as well. A full date scale and an unusually shaped bracket marker emphasize the elegance and functionality of the model family. The jumping date combines a precisely legible display with mechanical ingenuity and a rare degree of convenience.

The Benu Date’s caliber 100.3 is based on the caliber 100.1 of the Atum line. Its characteristic elements, such as the pillar movement with 2/3 plate, wheel train, stop-work, removable winder module, escapement and oscillation system also feature the “high-artistic finish.” The jumping date mechanism is a complex ensemble of parts that’ integrated into the main plate on the dial side. Both the winder and the hand-setting mechanism are taken from the caliber 100.1. To prevent a simultaneous reverse adjustment of both systems or damage to the date switcher, the separate date-setting mechanism is uncoupled with a stop lever as soon as the hand-setting crown is pulled and the stop-seconds device stops the watch.

Apart from the precisely jumping date, this type of date display has the advantage that the switching finger does not engage with the wheel train except for the few milliseconds during which the jump to the next date is taking place. The date can be changed in either direction at any time while the movement continues to run. The separate setting crown at 10 o’clock allows the date to be easily corrected, for instance at the end of a month. Normally, this setting crown is not engaged, so inadvertent adjustments are prevented. The crown must be pulled out to set the date. During the process, the movement continues to run and the date can be set by turning the crown in either direction. A jumper spring causes the date ring with the marker to precisely engage in the selected position.

This new, white gold version of the Benu Date is styled to appear like a glittering, impeccably cared for, antique masterpiece. The deep champagne hues of the two-tone lacquered dial give this piece masculine elegance. On this background, the brown-violet hands and brown date numerals, minute scale, and the seconds subdial look as if they have sat there for years. The entire display is tone-on-tone except for the bright white-gold hour markers which pop to form an elegant contrast that echoes the case.