Watches: Cooking with Gas

Ernst Benz, a unique collection of Swiss timepieces inspired by the great aviator styles of the 1940s, has teamed with acclaimed chef and restaurateur Mario Batali to design and produce a limited edition series of the iconic Great Circle Automatic to benefit the Food Bank for New York City. Available in three sizes—36mm, 40mm and 47mm—each exclusive series is limited to a numbered production run of 250 pieces.

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Mario Batali’s 47mm customized chronoscope is a part of his efforts to give back to his local community. (Click image to enlarge)

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In collaboration with Leonid Kankin, Managing Director and Chief Creative Officer of Ernst Benz, Batali incorporates his signature orange color into the original Great Circle design along with other enhancements such as a combination of traditional numerals with a textured concentric dial. An alligator strap is available in orange or black with orange stitching. All models feature a stainless steel bezel, polished stainless case, domed sapphire glass crystal, and are water resistant to 165 feet.

Known for its exceptional precision and legibility, the Mario Batali Limited Edition Ernst Benz Great Circle Automatic was personally launched by Batali and Kankin this past June at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Batali, who proudly rides his Vespa through the streets of New York, has served on many hunger awareness campaigns. Supplying nearly 1,200 emergency and community food programs for the 250,000 free meals served each day to the elderly, disabled and impoverished, the Food Bank for New York City is committed to ending hunger.

www.ernstbenz.com
www.mariobatali.com
www.foodbanknyc.org