As previously reported in recent years about the Qatar Watch Club, more groups of watch enthusiasts are emerging around the world, particularly in countries where watch culture appeared later than on our old continent. These local initiatives, aimed at promoting collecting, are an excellent way to ignite passion and enhance knowledge of watchmaking among their members. To create a sense of community, these groups often create watches dedicated to their members. The latest is the Emirates Watch Club, a group of collectors from the United Arab Emirates, which has just unveiled a watch with a stunning dial - the Moritz Grossmann Benu Emirates Watch Club.
Moritz Grossmann is one of the leading German watch companies. It is a true manufacture with traditional craftsmanship and watches that exude a historical spirit, not only in design but also in some technical solutions used in the movements - such as the impressive hammer-shaped Hamatic automatic winding mechanism. Known for its classic Benu collection, the brand used these typical German watches to create a special model for the Emirates Watch Club.
At first glance, there is no doubt about the origin of this familiar model. It has the same case shape and movement as other models in the collection. However, there are several updates that make this Benu Emirates Watch Club watch unique. Firstly, while the case still has a diameter of 41 mm and a height of 11.35 mm, it is now made of stainless steel but retains sapphire crystals on the front and back. The watch is complemented by a classic alligator leather strap with a steel clasp.
The real highlight of this edition for EWC is the dial with an unrefined, almost prototype-like decor, which is entirely handcrafted. Firstly, the material is original, as the dial is made of German silver, which is typically used for the plates and bridges of the movement. This alloy, also known as maillechort, has a warm metallic color and patinates over time. Its surface has a pronounced matte finish with a diagonal linear pattern. The most striking elements are the Breguet numerals, which are hand-engraved on the metal with a sense of craftsmanship. The Moritz Grossmann logo is also engraved by hand.
To emphasize the numerals and the texture of the dial, the minute track and small seconds indicator at the “6 o'clock” position have been removed, making the Benu Emirates Watch Club a two-hand model (only hours and minutes). Time is read using polished, hand-crafted stainless steel hands, annealed to a brown hue. Despite the lack of a seconds indicator, the watch retains the patented hacking-release mechanism, which stops the movement and allows precise time setting. Nevertheless, this unrefined, artisan-like dial is extremely attractive.
Beneath the sapphire glass is the manually wound caliber 100.1. This movement is typical of the German school of watchmaking: its column architecture, large bridge occupying a significant part of the movement, warm, heavily decorated finish with screwed gold chatons, large striped pattern, and engraved cock - among other impressive hand-finished details. The movement operates at a frequency of 2.5 Hz and maintains energy for up to 41 hours when fully wound.
The Moritz Grossmann Benu Emirates Watch Club is released in a limited edition of 12 pieces and is available only to EWC members. Its price is 91,000 dirhams (approximately 20,300 euros at the time of publication).