The history of Moritz Grossmann stretches back to the 1880s, to the familiar German city of Glashütte. Carl Moritz Grossmann was a watchmaker based in Germany who was close friends with Ferdinand Adolph Länge, and formed his own workshop, in addition to becoming the co-founder of the German School of Watchmaking.
After his passing, the brand remained dormant until 2008, when watchmaker Christine Hutter successfully acquired the trademark and began a new legacy of watches under the Moritz Grossmann name. Since then, the brand has become known for their innovative approach, willingness to experiment with unusual materials, and distinctive aesthetics.
The Atum Pure M is the third iteration within the Atum series, which takes its name from the Egyptian god of “pre-existence and post-existence”. Featuring a stainless-steel case, this piece combines brushed and polished surfaces to great effect, creating a modern look that is highlighted by the font and black accents which make up the index markers.
Although the dial has a somewhat industrial look upon first glance, a closer look reveals that there are several surprising details that make this watch especially distinctive. In particular, the fine wire mesh that makes up the centre portion of the dial gives a tantalising half-glimpse of the inner workings of the piece, but is also reminiscent of chainmail, providing an intriguing, fresh look that is rarely used within watchmaking.
The watch is powered by the Calibre 201.0, which integrates several the manufacture’s trademark technical features, notably the balance, modified Glashütte stopwork, and the Grossmann manual winder with pusher. The pared back finishing, with black polish on the screws, subtle bevelling on some edges and sparse surfaces, creates a rich interplay of textures and finishes. The movement also has a slight brass tinge that can be seen through the mesh on the dial and through the sapphire caseback.
If sold within the United Kingdom, this Moritz Grossman Atum Pure M will be subject to 20% VAT.