Austrian watch company recently introduced a new split-seconds chronograph called the Habring² Doppel 2.0.
Twenty years ago, under the tutelage Günter Blümlein, Richard Habring played a major role in the development of a split-seconds complication, but instead of using a column-wheel based movement, his idea utilized a more affordable and easier to service cam and lever-based design. The rear-mounted split-seconds wheel design was granted a patent (DE4209580A). The patent held by Habring’s former employer IWC has now expired, and so Habring has produced a timepiece that utilizes the movement design under his own brand name.
A double chronograph (rattrapante or split-seconds) features an additional central seconds hand that during normal operation runs synchronously with the main chronograph seconds hand. However, by pressing the pusher at 10 o’clock, the additional seconds hand activates stops to record intermediate times. Press the split-second pusher again and the hand returns to its position in sync with the normal chrono seconds hand.
The 42 mm diameter case is round, fully polished and comes in stainless steel with a choice of galvanized dials: blue, grey or brown. All dials have silver digits, rhodium Arabic numbers (12 and 6) and hour indexes with Superluminova coating. Polished, rhodium, thread hour and minute hands with Superluminova coating. Matte lacquer chronograph seconds and split-seconds hand (top hand orange/bottom hand white). Blue counter hands with silver subdials.
Equipped with Habring² caliber A08MR, a manually wound movement with 23 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 vph and a 48-hour of power reserve. Functions include hours, minutes and small seconds display; stop-seconds hand and 30-minute counter; split-seconds hand.
The sapphire crystal is concave with a non-reflective coating on both sides. Sapphire crystal case back. Double-sealed crown. Water-resistance 50 meters.
Only 20 units will be produced at the Habring’s Austrian atelier in Völkermarkt. Engraved serial number (01-2012 to 20-2012) between the lugs at 6 o’clock.
The price is $7,925.
