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I only have experience with half of the equation...

 

...that being Habring.  I own two of their pieces, including a Chrono and a "first gen" dead seconds.  My observations:

1. Both of my watches run great and keep excellent time.  I can imagine that there would be some wear in the dead seconds mechanism over time, but I'm no watchmaker so others will be better equipped to comment on that.  Also, Habring now uses a different dead seconds movement (I have the Doxa one).

2. I'm a big fan of Habring's very clean case look -- crisp SS and (to my eye) very solidly executed. 

3. The Habring dials are a particular strength -- really crisp looking, and highly legible.

4. Finishing is OK not great on Habring watches of my acquaintance -- my guess, having seen photos of the Dornbleuth watches, is that their movement finishing is significantly superior.  Perhaps there are forum members who own both and who can comment.

I have admired the Dornbleuth watches for a while and can easily imagine why you might consider one!  I have also been quite pleased with my Habring pieces and can recommend them based on my experience.

Best,

Gary G

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13 Comments view entire thread 

Dornblueth or Habring?

 
By: sanro : December 9th, 2011-20:52
I know, I know... But I just want some help to evaluate the relative merits of these two regarding: 1) reliability of the movement & complications (in particular, the deadbeat seconds and foudroyant of the Habring) 2) quality of the finishing & details of... 

I only have experience with half of the equation...

 
By: Gary G : December 9th, 2011-23:01
...that being Habring. I own two of their pieces, including a Chrono and a "first gen" dead seconds. My observations: 1. Both of my watches run great and keep excellent time. I can imagine that there would be some wear in the dead seconds mechanism over t... 

+1, only have half of the equation too

 
By: ztirual : December 10th, 2011-00:52
I own a time only and a foudroyante. They are both very sturdy watch, highly reliable and legible. The foudroyante has been my daily wearer for about 7 months now and I cannot fault it for time keeping or anything else. With 42 mm it is quite a big watch.... 

I own both

 
By: Chucky1103 : December 10th, 2011-00:25
And i think it's different watch in character. Legibility is better in dornblueth because of the bigger dial and case size.

I thought the case size was similar...

 
By: sanro : December 10th, 2011-02:08
...42mm... I have a deadbeat seconds from Panerai (PAM80 Radiomir Independent) which hosts a Chezard movement. It has let me down already once, and I barely use it! That is why I was a little scared with the complication itself. Regarding the finishing it... 

Here's another Habring owner...

 
By: sidneyc : December 10th, 2011-02:49
Firstly, I think either one you go with, would be a great decision. Both Dornblueth and Habrings produce high quality watches at affordable prices. I only own the Habring dead seconds (their current in-house version as opposed to the Doxa version) since J... 

I went Habring when faced with this choice

 
By: expwmbat : December 10th, 2011-09:20
And never regretted it. But I still want a Dornblueth too (the Regulator in particular). My primary reasons for going with the Habrings were the lower costs, the customization options, and the variety of complications available, and those three reasons ke... 

The Dornblueth Regulator...

 
By: sanro : December 10th, 2011-19:46
...is not really an option for me, since I am fairly sure I would have trouble reading the hours... The complications are, in effect, the big temptation that the Habrings offer to me. I already own a deadbeat seconds (the PAM) and a foudroyante (a Graham)... 

Both great choices, but Habring for me.....

 
By: Darren : December 10th, 2011-10:08
You really can't go wrong here, as both produce interesting, limited timepieces which are extremely well executed. For me, the choice came down to wanting to work with Richard and Maria, wanting more customization options and preferring the design aesthet... 

I understand you, Darren

 
By: sanro : December 10th, 2011-19:48
A foudroyante is one of the most eye catching complications you can have. When I have my Graham chrono switched on I have a hard time taking my eyes off it!

I own both

 
By: davidcast77 : December 10th, 2011-10:27
I have been fortunate enough to own both a Dornbluth 99.2 and a Habring manual wind chrono with engraved carinthian bridges. On the movement side I am going to give the edge to Dornbluth. This is purely from a handmade aspect and the warm copper colored g... 

You are right, Jocke's...

 
By: sanro : December 10th, 2011-19:51
...new Regulator is the thing that made me "jump" onto Dornblueth's website! As a complication the Regulator is no good for me because of the poorer visibility of the hours, but the movement finishing and the overall quality looks fantastic.

Owned both too.

 
By: ingmar : December 10th, 2011-20:51
Currently have the Habring2. Dornbluth was my first attempt at a 42mm watch. I really loved the classically styled dial and the craftsmanship of the movement was a sight. My Habring is the time only with Felsa and I actually asked that they tone the finis...