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A Carinthian Journey - a visit with Maria Kristina and Richard Habring (Part 3b - LAST!)
Dear All:
our Carinthian Journey is close to its end. But we will do so with a real treat on some of the most exciting watches created in Völkermarkt. Thus, following Part 1 (location and environment), Part 2 (watchmaking itself, restoration) and Part 3a (presenting the base collection, Handwound and Jumping Seconds), the current and last edition will feature:
- COS Chronograph
- Doppel 2.0
- Foudroyante
- Tourbillons
Again, it will be a bit technical but I guess the couple's achievements merit digging a bit deeper through the subject matter. Relax and have fun!
The Crown-Operation-System (COS) Chronograph
One of the iconic Habring2 watches, and one of those that really convey the message of the producers. By modifying the Valjoux base movement such that the pushers could be omitted (Chronograph is entirely controlled by the crown), the watch gains elegance and simplicity. Furthermore, fewer serviceable parts are needed, and two holes in the case are missing, resulting in less risk of failing seals.
Here I'd like to show a version where seconds and minute counter both are located on the central axis, and thus indicate elapsed time in the normal time display:
The following graph shows how the system is implemented. An additional wheel on the crown axis is interlinked with a pawl that directly (without the need for a column wheel or a cam/lever construction!) operated the chronograph:
The graph also nicely demonstrates what would happen if you pull out the crown for setting the time: wheel and pawl would simply disengage.
The entire beauty and brilliancy of the construction is immediately apparent once you compare it to a standard ETA Valjoux 7750 movement (left):
Back to the movement (ok, this one here is a bit turbo-charged... more later!):
The COS pawl here is disconnected from the COS wheel. At the 12 to 01 o'clock position you can see the COS spring:
The reset cam:
The elegance of the watch is met with a vibrant design the excites with voluptuous shapes and colours:
The optical benefit of COS is highlighted if you inspect it from the side:
The movement is of course visible from the back, here the handwound version (automatic exists as well):
Finally, on the (=my) wrist:
i really like the simplicity of the COS without subdials
you do of course lose out on a constant second hand, but you can always use the chrono a la MIH.
thanks for all the detailed info Magnus.
Graham
The Doppel 2.0
I wrote about this new edition of the legendary split-second mechanism already recently . However, I now have real-life image material and thus decided to repost an amended version of my original text.
The IWC Doppelchronograph is one of the iconic classics of watchmaking. With this watch, IWC delivered a fine complication that was implemented in the typical style of the house under the leadership of the late Günther Blümlein: robust, reliable, affordable (image taken from the web).
This watch was developed by Richard Habring, and there is a nice story to it reported in an 2004 article by Dr. Markus Hanke here on Purists:
(Richard) wrote dozens of applications, also to the famous watch manufacturers in Switzerland. However, most of them made a good command of the French language mandatory, which unfortunately had not been part of the watchmaking school’s curriculum. Only IWC replied and invited him for an interview. Richard saddled his old car and made the ten hours drive to Schaffhausen with high hopes, but somehow, things did not go well. While he was eager to speak about new ideas, toubillons and other high horology concepts, his interview partner seemingly had more interest in a watchmaker for routine service and repair activities. Massively disappointed, Richard returned home, and even had an accident with his old car.
As it is sometimes the case, life then took an unexpected turn: As it was common practice, the applicant’s travel expenses were refunded by the company. When Richard sent his fuel bills to IWC, the company’s president, Günter Blümlein happened to find the letter, together with the complete file Richard had sent to Schaffhausen when he applied. Therein were all the data about the concepts and especially tourbillons Richard had already made before. Immediately, Blümlein insisted on getting this young man straight back in front of him. Consequently, a brief phone call now changed Richard’s life.
Following his move to Schaffhausen, Richard joined a team of young watchmakers under the liberal leadership of IWC’s legendary chef developer, Kurt Klaus. It was assigned with the development of an innovative split second complication, which could be integrated with the existing chronograph movement, already used in the renown Porsche Design Chronograph. Within a remarkably short time, Richard presented an ingeniously effective design and the base of the "Doppelchronograph”.
The efficiency of Richard's solution lies in the abandonment of the column wheel that controls the split-seconds mechanims. Such a wheel is not only costly to produce, it is also - in this functional position - difficult to adjust. Thus, Richard devised an eminently simpler construction that used a cam-like mechanism (picture from Marcus' article):
This ingenius solution was granted a patent (DE4209580A). It also added to the 'democratisation' of the split-seconds complication, like it or not.
This watch has never left Richard's mind even after he established his own atelier together with Maria. A large reprint of of the Doppelchronograph adorns the atelier's walls (again, pic from Markus):
On 24 March 2012, Patent DE4209580A expires and Habring2 is able to present a new, upgraded version of this split-seconds mechanism aptly named Habring2 Doppel 2.0:
On the first sight the main difference - apart from the obvious design language - lies in the position of the subdials for minute counter and permanent seconds, which are left at the 3 and 9 o'clock position, respectively.
The technical differences relate to implementation of the split-seconds mechanism and improve the serviceability of the watch:
Here a close-up of calibre A08MR demonstrating the simplicity in design. Note how different the split-seconds cam is designed:
The Habring2 Doppel 2.0 comes exclusively in a 42mm steel case and blue, grey or brown galvanised dial, each with a reasonable price tag of € 6.000.-:
Let's start with the blue one! Habring2's blue colour is one of the most emotionally appealing ones in industry (well, let's not count De Bethune! ;-)) and contrasts extremely nicely with the orange split seconds hand (here on Maria's wrist):
A push on the crown at 10 o'clock...
... and the split dissappears:
A courageous colour concept is the brown version (which I also happen to like a lot! Wrist model: Richard):
Finally, two images of the grey version (again Richard):
Whatever colour available, I am quite sure that this watch will be a commercial success. The combination of complication construction, design, price and the people behind is most compelling!
any video of the watch in action?
)
). I hope Richard and Maria realise what a great ambassador they have in you. Could they use some of your images on their website? Some of the closeups are superb.