MORITZ GROSSMANN “BENU 37/ATUM 37”
The Cal. 102.1 was the last movement designed by former chief designer Jens Schneider, who preferred a solid design approach.
This small, thin movement was designed as a second-generation replacement for the Tefnut, but its origins were truly that of a "small Moritz Grossmann."
This movement, which is unusually robust for a small diameter watch, was finally installed in the Benu and Atum.
Interview and text by Hiroyuki Suzuki
This is the Atum 37 with the "lancet hand" that is the global standard. It has been changed to a unique Roman numeral, but the hand alone is enough to convey the Atum's distinctive character. Manual winding (Cal. 102.1). 22 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve of approximately 48 hours. 18KWG (diameter 37.0mm, thickness 9.2mm). Price: 3.2 million yen.
(Right) Benu 37 [with Skeleton Hands]
The Benu 37 features skeleton hands, a Japan-exclusive edition. The Arabic indexes, with a typeface similar to Breguet numerals, complement the transparent hour hand. Manual winding (Cal. 102.1). 22 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 48 hours. 18KRG (diameter 37.0mm, thickness 9.2mm). Price: 3.2 million yen.
Jens Schneider, who has been the driving force behind the uniqueness of the new Moritz Grossmann movement since its launch, went freelance at the end of last year. His successor as chief designer is Jeroen Heise, born in Jena, Thuringia. Heise has been with Moritz Grossmann for about a year and a half, working side by side with Schneider and inheriting the Grossmann design philosophy. Prior to that, he spent about 10 years at Glashütte Original, where he was responsible for the design of the Caliber 58 series for the Senator Chronometer and the Caliber 37 series chronograph.
Meanwhile, the final movement released during Schneider's tenure was the caliber 102.1, a complete overhaul of the caliber 102.0 used in the original Tefnut. While the original designer, Norwied Windecker (currently at A. Lange & Söhne), favored delicate aesthetics, Schneider opted for a more solid design approach. With its larger barrel, a more conventional gear train layout, and a robust three-fifths plate, the movement exuded a sense of solidity more reminiscent of a Kleine Benu or Kleine Atum than the movement used in the second Tefnut. This naturally led watch enthusiasts to desire the smaller-cased Benu or Atum. The new Benu 37 and Atum 37, officially announced at Baselworld this year, were created in response to such demands.
