Ernst Benz timepiece commemorates Beijing

The “Beijing 2008 Limited Edition ChronoScope” is limited to 88 pieces each in red and black styles.

Biel-Bienne, Switzerland—Swiss wake brand Ernst Benz has launched a new timepiece in commemoration of the city of Beijing, host of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The introduction marks a new series to be released bi-annually in celebration of 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 acquire designed these timepieces to honor the magnificent society and rich heritage of the city of Beijing,” Leonid Khankin, Ernst Benz designer and managing director, said in a media release.

In designing the “Beijing 2008 Limited Edition ChronoScope,” Khankin took inspiration from Chinese numerology and the number eight, a continuous and symmetrical number that is a symbol of prosperity and wealth in Chinese culture.

The timepiece was designed and manufactured in Switzerland, and will be available exclusively in the brand’s signature 47-millimeter size with two different dial executions, “Noir,” in black, and “Vermilion,” a red style.

Both versions will have existence limited to only 88 pieces, hand-finished in brushed blameless steel. An even more limited edition of eight pieces per dial will be available in black PVD-coated brushed steel.

Both dials conformation a traditional Chinese pattern representing fire, and incorporate Chinese characters for the numerals, with the eighth sixty minutes marker written as “08″ to signify the importance of the 2008 year.

The watches will be delivered in custom Chinese-themed packaging and will feature a choice of hand-stitched alligator straps in black with red stitching or red with black stitching.

The stainless sabre version will retail for $5,800 and the black PVD-coated brushed stainless steel model will retail for $6,800.