Options - The Downside

Oct 16, 2010,17:07 PM
 

This is possibly one of the only downsides (I use this word lightly) of Habring2, too many choices.   Will all the different dials and additional complications and NOS movements I am like a kid in a sweetshop and can not just commit to a single configuration.  I can see why people but multiples.  One of these days I'll make a decision...

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Affordable Independents: Habring vs. Dornbluth

 
 By: expwmbat : October 15th, 2010-08:33
Greetings Purists, I'm closing in on a personal achievement that I'd like to commemorate with a nice watch. However, it must also fall into the "keeper" and "affordable" categories, so as much as I'd like to spring for the Goldpfeil Jutzi Regulator that h... 

Different categories

 
 By: SJX : October 15th, 2010-11:30
I have experience only with Habring; his works are unembellished and some of his small complications (dead seconds, tourbillon etc) are interesting. Dornblueth on the other hand does decoration, which is a bit crude but charming nevertheless, but no compl... 

Like both quite a bit, but for me I'd go with....

 
 By: Darren : October 15th, 2010-19:17
" target="_blank"> " border="0" alt="Habring - A 09M Movement"> Habring. Their watches have a look all their own - immediatley identifiable as Habrings which is not easy to do without being outlandish these days. Timeless yet unique designs. And best of a...  

Beautiful watch!

 
 By: expwmbat : October 16th, 2010-16:19
The dial options and customization Habring offers is amazing--that dial and hand/marker combination is really striking. Best, Daniel

Options - The Downside

 
 By: centrax : October 16th, 2010-17:07
This is possibly one of the only downsides (I use this word lightly) of Habring2, too many choices. Will all the different dials and additional complications and NOS movements I am like a kid in a sweetshop and can not just commit to a single configuratio... 

But you have the option to modify or upgrade....

 
 By: playtime : October 17th, 2010-12:25
given the modularity of Habring's movement. for me, that is the telling and decisive difference between the two. All things being equal, I'd opt for Habring. I'd pick DZornbluth only if the styling speaks to you--and a very alluring one at that.

I am sure they are both fine, but

 
 By: KIH : October 15th, 2010-20:06
I am with those two above on this one with the same/similar reasons, although I have not had a pleasure owning either one. PLUS, they (Habring) are said to be going to start making 36mm versions. That is a HUGE plus for me and I will surely place an order... 

36mm cases are coming, Ken!

 
 By: dxboon : October 16th, 2010-07:53
Richard and Maria Habring said the new cases will also be slimmer (less than 10mm for the handwound Time Only). The A09M will be the first movement housed in the new case (their in-house handwind time only) with a plan to follow that with a new manual win... 

Interesting indeed.

 
 By: expwmbat : October 16th, 2010-16:21
So are they moving toward an all in-house movement? How will that affect prices? One reservation I have about their current line-up is that while I really like the watches, the handwound movement isn't much to look at. Where can I find out more informatio... 

Not sure what...

 
 By: dxboon : October 16th, 2010-20:00
...the new movements will be like. I don't know if they will be built up from scratch, and I get the sense that things are still being hammered out, although this could only be my impression. I think the current timeline for these 36mm watches is to offer... 

Agree with all of above

 
 By: SethRL : October 16th, 2010-06:28
I apologize for reposting a photo I posted on WristScan yesterday but I recently obtained this one and love wearing it as an everyday watch. A watch for all uses, short of black tie. (Which is not to denigrate the Speake-Marin I also recently got and post...  

It's a fantastic piece, Seth! Congrats!

 
 By: dxboon : October 16th, 2010-07:55
I'm so glad to see another Habring fan on the boards. It's only a matter of time before I add another to my collection. Can't wait to see your latest pieces. Cheers, Daos

I love that iteration

 
 By: expwmbat : October 16th, 2010-16:23
It sounds like I need to call the US AD and see what I can find out, as I'm not looking for a chrono, but interested in different dial/hand/marker combinations. The trouble is that I'd really like something with blued hands, but the Habrings seem to work ... 

Daniel, have you seen their chrono with cream...

 
 By: dxboon : October 16th, 2010-19:22
...enamel dial and blued hands/indices? I really like the combo. If you haven't seen it, I'll try to see if I can dig up a photo. Cheers, Daos

Yes--I saw a picture of it elsewhere

 
 By: expwmbat : October 17th, 2010-08:03
It's a beautiful combination. I also saw a display of dial options, one of which looked like a dark silver dial with blue markers and arabic numbers. That's one I'd like to see more of. Best, Daniel

I own a Habring2; have handled almost all of the Dornblüth models.

 
 By: dxboon : October 16th, 2010-09:25
I love the Dornblüth watches, with the 99.1 being my current favorite. I find them charming, with an honesty in design and construction that is also apparent in the Habrings' watches. What elevates the Habring 2 pieces for me, is their unified look and ap...  

Stunning watch, and thank you for the long review

 
 By: expwmbat : October 16th, 2010-16:35
I'm no stranger to the independents--I drooled over the MIH for a very long time before finally acquiring one 2 years ago, and really want to purchase another independent rather than something from a big company, as I love the honesty and cohesiveness of ... 

The Dornblüth watches are beautiful choices, so I certainly...

 
 By: dxboon : October 16th, 2010-19:38
...couldn't fault anyone for picking one up! I totally spaced on the fact that you already have an MIH, sorry! I have come close to pulling the trigger a few times on the Dornblüth 99.1 and Central Seconds. One of these days I may well do so. The movement... 

ah Daos, the thought of a handwind jump sec foudryante in 2011 sounds good

 
 By: G99 : October 17th, 2010-14:46
something for me to start to think about. i'm assuming the foudryante will be available along with the standard dead second. i've never handled a Dornbluth or Habring, but do have a few independents including the MIH. the MIH would be a great watch as you... 

I know you love unusual displays...

 
 By: dxboon : October 17th, 2010-21:14
...so a jump second foudroyante seems right up your alley, Graham! Cheers, Daos

one day i'll have one,...

 
 By: G99 : October 18th, 2010-01:34
one day i'll have one, but it may be a long time.

And I think of the Habrings from fin de siecle Austria

 
 By: playtime : October 17th, 2010-12:40
with allusions to Bolzano, Wittgenstein, Neurathm and Popper ...... Habring gives me a sense of Gustav Klimt as well.....

What's your mood?

 
 By: glickman : October 17th, 2010-07:36
Warm or cool? "Charming" or "utilitarian"? Romantic or Teutonic? Simple or complicated? The OP has challenged us to distinguish between these two wonderful independent brands. It occurs to me that there might be as much in common between them as there are... 

Great comments, Roger!

 
 By: dxboon : October 17th, 2010-21:43
I totally agree with you that the two companies have much in common. I don't think there's a bad choice to be made here! Thanks for weighing in. I knew your comments would be very helpful to the OP. Cheers, Daos

only have the Dornblüth

 
 By: tee530 : October 16th, 2010-21:06
I can only speak about Dornblüth from the perspective of the one I have, the 04.0: I think the first thing to consider is whether the aesthetic grabs you. The marine chronometer look isn't for everyone, but if it sings to you, then I think you'll be hard ...  

Swan Neck

 
 By: davidcast77 : October 17th, 2010-09:47
Here is a picture of the DDS swan neck being made. For some reason this image (not mine) resonates the hand made aspect of the watch. Not just CNC made and hand finished. But "hand made"...  

Really handmade -- I love that about their watches!

 
 By: dxboon : October 17th, 2010-19:21
It makes you think about what watchmakers went through hundreds of years ago without CNC and electricity of any sort. The mind reels. Have a good one! Cheers, Daos

that's an amasing Picture

 
 By: Tony A.H : November 8th, 2010-18:01
had no idea the Swan Neck is hand Cut.!

Hairspring

 
 By: Damo : October 17th, 2010-22:47
Tom, how did you manage to get a blue hairspring? I went to collect my Dornbluth watch in Kalbe (from Mauritius, it is a long trip....), and the experience was simply wonderful. Dirk and Anja are extremely nice and I look forward for the new reduced size ... 

Blue hairspring

 
 By: tee530 : October 18th, 2010-05:52
You have an eye for detail, Damo! Honestly, I don't know why the hairspring in my Midi is blued, and I didn't ask Dirk to make one specifically. According to the 04.0 specs, the hairspring is Nivarox-1, which is usually silver-colored. Can the Nivarox all... 

However you'll make your choice, one aspect not to forget...

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : October 19th, 2010-10:13
is the pleasure of dealing directly with the maker(s) of your watch! This for me, as well as the fact that with independents there is basically no serial production, is a big asset. I cannot speak about Mr. Dornblueth, for the simple reason that I have no...  

Both??

 
 By: Damo : October 20th, 2010-04:57
It seems that the excitment of ordering an Habring is similar to Dornbluth. I am threfore starting to persuade myself to order an Habring as well. The problem being that there are too many options..... It will take me a while to decide! I just received an... 

just flat out Beautiful.!

 
 By: Tony A.H : November 8th, 2010-18:02
Powerful Design. Cheers

Update

 
 By: expwmbat : October 26th, 2010-09:14
Hi All, Thanks again for your helpful thoughts and discussion. I'm currently looking into a couple of interesting ideas with the Habrings. They have some movements left from the Time Only 2004, and we are talking about options for that particular movement... 

Good to hear.....

 
 By: playtime : October 26th, 2010-20:50
that you might even purchase new! Looking forward to the pics once you've decided upon what you will purchase. Jason