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Affordable Independents: Habring vs. Dornbluth
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 has been the apple of my eye for months now, I have to set my sites at about half.
That said, I'd like it to be an independent (unless convinced otherwise by some terrific option I haven't heard of), and it appears they boil down to either a Habring or a Dornbluth. Thus I call on the wisdom of the Purists to steer me toward the right choice--how can we compare these two? I've not had either in hand, so it will be something of a leap of faith either way. If you have experience with one or both, can you help?
Best,
Daniel
Independents
Explore the Vianney Halter Goldpfeil GPVH, its unique design, and the debate around its CHF 15,000 servicing cost. A collector's dilemma.
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Affordable Independents: Habring vs. Dornbluth
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
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....
" 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!
The dial options and customization Habring offers is amazing--that dial and hand/marker combination is really striking. Best, Daniel
Options - The Downside
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....
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
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!
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.
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...
...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
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!
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
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...
...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
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.
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
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...
...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
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...
...so a jump second foudroyante seems right up your alley, Graham! Cheers, Daos
And I think of the Habrings from fin de siecle Austria
with allusions to Bolzano, Wittgenstein, Neurathm and Popper ...... Habring gives me a sense of Gustav Klimt as well.....
What's your mood?
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!
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
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
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!
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
Hairspring
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
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...
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??
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...
Update
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.....
that you might even purchase new! Looking forward to the pics once you've decided upon what you will purchase. Jason