Baselworld 2013: Habring2 Doppel 3 - the most beautiful Chrono in Basel?
Ornatus-Mundi
Maria Kristina and Richard Habring (aka Habring2 ) did not officially exhibit in Basel but they were of course there - to seize the opportunity to meet with some suppliers and - of course - chat with the watch aficionados who visited the show.
Well, wouldn't it be a case of severe neglect not to ask what was on their wrist?
I did and was rewarded with an exceptionally beautiful new watch just released by the creative couple: The Habring2 Doppel 3:
The watch itself is a further development based on the Doppel 2.0, a watch widely acclaimed by enthusiasts and fittingly recognised by the watch industry with the 'sports watch' prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie 2012.
With this information its already clear what to expect: a split-second chronograph with manual winding. Based upon the calibre Valjoux 7750 an equally cam/lever-driven rattrapante mechanism has been added. This one is derived from IWC's famous Doppelchronograph originally developed by Richard Habring. More on that in my article here .
Now with the Doppel 3 you actually get less: one push-bottom is missing due to the fact that this watch is a split-seconds monopusher chrono:
The watch is thus closer - this was the intention - to historical stop watches and shares a pusher-layout (at 2 and 10 o'clock, respectively) everybody knows from his/her sports lessons at school:
The watch is thus closer - this was the intention - to historical stop watches and shares a pusher-layout (at 2 and 10 o'clock, respectively) everybody knows from his/her sports lessons at school:
Nothing else has changed. The dial shows exactly the same attention to the detail as the predecessor already demonstrated. Its immensely beautiful and captivating, particularly in the anthracite/silver/red colour version shown here:
A small criticism from my side would concern the shape of the hands. Here both permanent as well as rattrapante seconds have overhanging hands whereas time hour and minute as well as chronograph minute hands have not. This is acceptable as the respective assignment of shapes is consistent (overhangs with small, no overhangs with longer time intervals) but I would prefer a clear distinction according to time and chronograph hands. A simple swap of permanent seconds and chrono minute hands would do ;-)
A small criticism from my side would concern the shape of the hands. Here both permanent as well as rattrapante seconds have overhanging hands whereas time hour and minute as well as chronograph minute hands have not. This is acceptable as the respective assignment of shapes is consistent (overhangs with small, no overhangs with longer time intervals) but I would prefer a clear distinction according to time and chronograph hands. A simple swap of permanent seconds and chrono minute hands would do ;-)
A real eye-catcher (rightly so and consistent with the historical role models) is the painting of the chrono seconds hands: red for the split-seconds, white for the normal seconds counter:
The movement looks identical to the one of the Doppel 2.0, and except for the modification to the chromo cam/lever system there is no reason for differences. The parts count is identical as well (101).
In the following I juxtapose the original movement of the Doppelchronograph with the new Doppel movement. Note the differences in the shape of the rattrapante mechanism parts:
Central part is the heat-blued (and thus hardened) rattrapante control plate:
Here you can well see the small tube spring on the rattrapante wheel that is responsible for the catching up of the rattrapante hand with the normal chronograph seconds counter:
The pusher feel can of course not compete with the finest column-wheel controlled chronographs, but it is nevertheless precise, reasonably smooth and with sufficient feedback.
Overall, a very tempting, reasonably priced watch with a fascinating high-end complication. I have to say that I am really in love with the anthracite/silver/red colour scheme that reflects so well the sporty and playful nature of the watch.
Even on the wrist:
There are other colour versions as well, a black one (left) and a silver one (right). Both have totally different personalities:
To sum up: My nitpicking notwithstanding I think that Habring2 have come up with a real winner with the Doppel series. A package that combines an elite complication with a fresh yet classic style and allows for a very affordable price - what is not to like? That you can deal with arguably some of the nicest people in the industry and get involved with the very creators of your watch is just the icing of the cake.
If I were in the watch industry I would be concerned, very concerned!
Thanks for reading,
Magnus
Comments:
Goldenlutin May 20th, 2013-07:38
Regarding your last comment... Nice watch indeed. Regarding your last comment: In the industry I would (and I think everybody should) be more concerned of what Omega, Longines and the Swatch Group in general are capable of doing (both technically and price-wise), don't you think ?
Ornatus-Mundi May 20th, 2013-07:45
I would agree with you on Longines and Omega, ... but I am not so sure about the other Swatch Group brands (I am not doubting their technical capabilities but I think that the value equation is not as easily set as with the two mentioned). Perhaps I was not clear enough: for the money you have to spend f...
DonCorson May 20th, 2013-11:55
An Independent vs Big Business Yes Longines and Omega make good watches and have well known names. But with an independent one is investing in individuals. Yes each watchmaker (and even the brands, I admit) has their own spirit. The spirit of a Habring is in the touch of genius that Ri...
timerider May 20th, 2013-12:20
Thank you Magnus, great report and very nice pictures of the Doppel 3 and its character. I think you caught both the inventiveness and the quality that Habring2 is now quite famous for providing to the true watch collector. I have had few greater watch experiences than sitting in the atelier and dis...
KIH May 20th, 2013-13:10
Thanks for the report... ... I really like what Habring2 offers. I also like the color combo as well as the matching strap on this one :-) Thanks! Ken
Topcat30093 May 26th, 2013-10:00
Thanks Magnus for the report......... Though, I have been following the brand, through the various threads for a while now. It has been recently that I have become a lot more interested in acquiring one. As I would like to add an Independent watch brand to my small collection. I very much lik...
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