DonCorson
[AHCI]
3358
BaselWorld 2015 - Moritz Grossmann
BaselWorld 2015 - Moritz Grossmann
Moritz Grossmann is a relatively new brand founded in 2008 working out of Glasshütte in Germany. Moritz Grossmann (1826-1885) himself was one of the founders of watchmaking in Glasshütte who, however, didn't have his own watch/clock making company, but was instrumental in the creation of the high renown of Glasshütte in founding and directing the watchmaking school there. Because he didn't have a company the name was never used commercially and was still free to be used until recently with the founding of Moritz Grossmann.
Moritz Grossmann has chosen to go the high horology route creating movements that include the typical German features such as 2/3 bridges and screwed chatons. The quality of the finishing is excellent.
The first Grossmann model was the Benu in 41mm. Note that throughout Grossmann prefers brown-violet "bluing", also for the hand made hands. Note also that two corners of the main bridge are supported by little columns, as in a clock. A nice touch.
The Benu model line has been expanded with the Benu Power Reserve...
and the Benu Tourbillon.
The next model is the Atum. Purer and cleaner with just indexes.
Interesting is the winding and setting mechanism. Setting is initiated by pulling the crown, which then returns to its normal position. The balance wheel is stopped with a kind of brush. When the setting is finished timekeeping is reinitiated by pressing a second small button below the crown. This eliminates the possible error factor of inadvertantly turning the crown while pushing it back in.
The newest model introduced this year is the Tefnut, a 39mm watch.
This has a smaller movement with a smaller main bridge (3/5) which makes more of the gear train visible.
The Tefnut Lady uses the same movement in a 36mm watch. As in the other movements the plate and bridges are in untreated German silver (maillchort) and are beautifully finished. I understand less and less why all ladies watches need to have a mother-of-pearl dial, 'thought.
Especially in the smaller 36mm case I really liked this watch. It is a prime candidate for those who are looking for top horological content and beautiful finishing, but without without bells and whistles.
The rumour kitchen says that Grossmann is getting so good that even Lange is feeling the competition and refusing to deliver to stores that also sell Moritz Grossmann.
If that is true, then it is a real complment for Grossmann (but not really for Lange).
This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2015-03-25 05:44:04
BaselWorld 2015 - Moritz Grossmann
