BIEL, SWITZERLAND –Swiss watch manufacturer Ernst Benz launched the Beijing 2008 Limited Edition ChronoScope to commemorate Beijing’s historic year, according to the company.
This introduction marks a new series that will be released biannually to celebrate the great cities of the world. “In the continual effort to tell the story of Ernst Benz and its Great Circle theme of exploration and aviation, we have designed these timepieces to honor the magnificent society and rich heritage of the city of Beijing,” says Leonid Khankin, Ernst Benz Designer and Managing Director.
In designing this timepiece, Khankin found inspiration in Chinese numerology and the number 8, a continuous and perfectly symmetrical number that is a sign of prosperity and wealth in Chinese culture; due primarily to its pronunciation. With the design and aesthetics of this particular timepiece, Ernst Benz explores the magnificent past and brilliant future of Beijing.
Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, this Limited Edition ChronoScope will be available exclusively in Ernst Benz’s signature 47mm size with two different dial executions, Noir (Black) and Vermilion (China Red) with both versions limited to only 88 pieces hand-finished in brushed stainless steel; additionally an even more limited version of only 8 pieces per dial which be available in Black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coated brushed steel. Both unique dials feature a Traditional Chinese pattern for fire as well as incorporate Traditional Chinese characters for the numerals; with the 8th hour marker written as 08 signifying the importance of this momentous year.
Other design elements include a specialized version of the Traditional Ernst Benz hands as well as the EB signature black PVD coated rotor for both the steel and black PVD designs. Reference numbers for these special models include the contraction “PEK” for Peking, the historical name for Beijing and the airport code for Beijing Capital International Airport, which was the first official airport of the People’s Republic of China drawing the nature connection to Ernst Benz and aviation.
With the introduction of the ChronoScope Beijing 2008 Limited Edition, Ernst Benz celebrates the renaissance of Beijing, a city of great people, culture, history and spirit; as well as one of the most important watch markets in the world. Delivered in custom Chinese-themed packaging, the ChronoScope Beijing 2008 Limited Edition will be available with the choice of either hand-stitched alligator straps: black with red stitching or red with black stitching.
The stainless steel version will retail for US $5,800 while the Black PVD coated brushed stainless steel version will retail for US $6,800.
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