GRAND GUILLOCHE ONE: When Two Masters Shape Metal, Light and Time

The GRAND GUILLOCHE ONE, is a true collaboration, where two creative forces, namely Alexander Shorokhov and Jochen Benzinger meet as equals. It’s a meeting of minds, machines and centuries‑old craft, distilled into a dial of extraordinary depth and character.

This is not simply a new model. It is a manifesto for the enduring relevance of hand‑craftsmanship in an era dominated by automation. The project has now entered its production phase, with the design finalised and perfected in every detail. For both Shorokhov and Benzinger, the next stage is the most exciting: the hand‑guilloché work that will define the soul of the piece.

Guilloché is one of horology’s most revered decorative arts. It evolved from the ‘royal craft’ of ornamental turning practiced by emperors and sovereigns from the 16th to the 18th century. From Breguet’s iconic dials to Fabergé’s shimmering enamel masterpieces, guilloché has always been a mark of prestige, patience and precision.

The GRAND GUILLOCHE ONE continues that lineage using two historic machines – not replicas, not CNC‑assisted hybrids, but fully mechanical engines that demand absolute mastery.

The main dial’s mesmerising moiré pattern is cut on a Rose Engine by Augenstein of Pforzheim, dating to around 1900. The moiré is an extremely fine pattern created by the overlapping of closely spaced lines, a shimmering, almost three‑dimensional effect that changes with the incidence of light. This is guilloché at its most hypnotic.

A 24‑lobe rosette guides the stylus, each pass reducing the diameter while the cam position shifts minutely. The result is a pattern that seems to breathe as the watch moves, a living surface shaped by a machine that itself belongs to history.

The two coloured dial segments are cut on a Straight Line Engine by Gudel of Biel, circa 1925. Unlike the Rose Engine’s circular oscillations, this machine traces lateral templates to create wave‑like linear patterns.

Once cut, the bronze components undergo two distinct finishing processes:

• Galvanic treatment (rhodium plating) – depositing an ultra‑thin metallic layer that settles into every recess of the guilloché, sharpening its relief. The document notes that this electrochemical process follows the finest recesses and lines, further emphasising its intricate structure.
• Transparent lacquer in blue and yellow – unmistakably Shorokhoff. These colours introduce a dynamic interplay of colour, light and shadow that accentuates the hand‑cut patterns beneath .

This is where Benzinger’s classical craft meets Shorokhoff’s avant‑garde palette. The result is a dial that feels both architectural and expressive – a fusion rarely achieved with such harmony.

Each bronze element is mounted for cutting by using shellac by carefully heating it with a flame. The workpiece is then precisely aligned and pressed into the compound. After the guilloche work is completed, the workpiece is carefully reheated, removed and thoroughly cleaned.

This is slow craft. Human craft. The kind of process that cannot be rushed, digitised or delegated. Rotation speed, cutting pressure, depth – all controlled by hand. This is why Benzinger’s work is revered: every line is intentional, every curve earned.

The GRAND GUILLOCHE ONE will be limited to just 30 pieces. That number feels appropriate. This is not a watch designed for mass production; it is a conversation between two artists, expressed in metal.

The collaboration unites two distinctive approaches to watchmaking driven by a shared passion for traditional craftsmanship and avant-garde design. Benzinger brings the discipline of classical guilloché. Shorokhoff brings colour, emotion and boldness. Together, they create a dial that feels both timeless and defiantly modern.

In an industry that often celebrates speed, scale and novelty, the GRAND GUILLOCHE ONE stands apart. It is slow. It is deliberate. It is made with machines older than the wristwatch itself. And it is shaped by two creators who understand that artistry is not a style – it is a discipline.

This is a watch that will speak to collectors who value the hand behind the work as much as the work itself.

For more information please visit Alexander Shorokhoff