Grieb & Benzinger 'Patek Philippe calibre' watches boast $1.9m market value

Grieb & Benzinger's new Swiss watches offer 'disassembled and modified' Patek Philippe calibre

If you're not in a market for a Patek Philippe watch, then how about a chance to own another watch of a similar calibre?

Swiss watchmaker Grieb & Benzinger recently unveiled its new series of rare watches before an audience which included guests from Rolls-Royce.

Among them is the Blue Danube, a unique skeletonised minute repeater split-seconds chronograph and the Blue Whirlwind, a unique tourbillon minute repeater.

Of particular note is the Danube (pictured bottom). The split-seconds chronograph is powered by a base movement dating to circa 1890. It has been fully restored, and required "intense attention" given that the movement of more than 400 components is already around 120-years-old.

True Blue: the three masterpiece watches by Grieb & Benzinger

Alongside these were the Blue Sensation. This watch is especially unique, being the only split-seconds skeletonised regulator chronograph on the market.

All three rare watches have a combined value of €1.2m-1.5m ($1,963,430). The Danube alone is set to retail for about €350,000-450,000.

Grieb & Benzinger has based each of these watches on a rare Patek Philippe calibre: fully disassembled, modified and recreated it is own typical style within solid platinum cases.

According to the firm, these watches are the result of more than 12 months of thorough restoration using classic horological crafts.

Recent and related articles

· Rolex chronograph wrist watch shows it's time to celebrate at a Birmingham auction | 25 January 2012

· Top Five: Rolex watch sales of 2011 - from Paul Newman to James Bond | 25 January 2012

· Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph may bring $38,600 at fine watch auction | 19 January 2012

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Images: Grieb & Benzinger