The GRIEB & BENZINGER Blue Dragon Imperial is a one-of-a-kind bespoke timepiece, created for a Chinese collector who chose the dragon motif as the central theme of the hand-skeletonized dial — a symbol of power, nobility, and prosperity in Chinese culture.
As with all GRIEB & BENZINGER custom creations, the watch is built around a vintage movement, carefully restored and artistically reimagined. This piece uses a hand-wound Unitas caliber from the 1960s — likely the Unitas 6498-1, known for its reliability and generous proportions, making it ideal for deep modification and artistic engraving.
The movement, measuring 36.6 mm in diameter and beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour, features full skeletonization and intricate hand-engraving on both sides. The craftsmanship allows the wearer to admire the oscillating balance wheel at 8 o’clock directly from the dial side — a rare and mesmerizing detail.
The 43 mm case is crafted from 18K palladium, an uncommon and precious metal that adds understated luxury. The bezel is set with 66 princess-cut diamonds, complementing the onion-style crown and rich blue alligator leather strap.
Despite its opulent appearance and bespoke artistry, the final custom price of €82,000 is considered reasonable given the level of craftsmanship, rarity, and personalization involved.
GRIEB & BENZINGER Blue Dragon Imperial
18K palladium case, 43 mm diameter, bezel set with 66 princess-cut diamonds, sapphire crystal and case back, fully hand-skeletonized Unitas manual-winding movement, 17 jewels, 18,000 vph, 38-hour power reserve, blue alligator leather strap, 18K palladium buckle.
