The Independedit: Habring² Doppel 38
Borna BošnjakIn this intermittent new series, we’ll be looking to highlight the most interesting new independent pieces that we come across, and that we feel don’t get as much love as they deserve. Before we discuss the watch itself, we’ll dive into a brief history of the brand, hopefully bringing some more attention to fantastic independent watchmaking. First up is the brand new Habring² Doppel 38, a more compact version of the brands loveable Doppel-Felix, which was admittedly on the chunkier side, measuring in at 42mm in diameter and almost 15mm thick. With an in-house developed calibre inside, this piece is also an incredible value proposition.
The dynamic duo of Habring²
The Austrian duo of Richard and Maria Habring are close to celebrating two decades of operation since the 2004 release of the three-handed Habring² Time-Only based on a Unitas movement. This was not their first foray into watchmaking for either of the two, however – Richard Habring especially. While working for IWC during the ’90s, he developed the Doppelchronograph which was introduced in 1993. Rather than operating the rattrapante via a column wheel, the watch used an extensively modified 7750 skeleton and its cam-operated setup for better durability.
Twenty years later, upon expiry of the IWC patent, Habring² unveiled the Doppel 2.0. Claiming the sports watch prize at the 2012 edition of the GPHG, this was an improved-upon version of IWC’s movement which saw further iterations in the Doppel 3.0 and the Doppel-Felix, eventually seeing monopusher functionality integrated into the movement.
Habring²’s current collection includes simple pieces like the entry-level Felix, seemingly simple ones like the Erwin and Foudroyante-Felix, as well as high complications such as the Repeater. In the past, celebrating their 15th anniversary as a brand, Habring² introduced the Perpetual-Doppel. Combining a split-seconds chronograph and a perpetual calendar is considered proper haute horlogerie stuff, and it was this brand’s most complicated piece to date. The A11P movement comined Habring²’s split-seconds complication with a modular Dubois-Depraz perpetual calendar mechanism, all at an astounding €21,500 price point, especially when considering the degree of finishing
The Habring² Doppel 38
Fast-forward to 2022 and the release of Habring²’s latest update to its split-seconds piece. Improving upon the bulky case of the Doppel-Felix, the new Doppel 38 measures in at 38.5mm across the midcase, while the bezel reaches out to 41mm. The thickness has also been reduced to 13mm, including the protruding sapphire crystal. While I have to admit I would’ve preferred the bezel to match the diameter of the case, the dimensions are sure to be notably improved on-wrist. The sloped, fully polished bezel transitions to a horizontally brushed midcase and curved lugs with a polished top side.
The pump pushers on the Dopple-Felix always reminded me of cute little ears, as they stood out from the case. This has been rectified with the Doppel 38, with sleeker pushers at 2 and 10 o’clock. For a sporty watch, the 30 metre water-resistance rating will be disappointing to some, though I see it as a worthwhile sacrifice of the reduced case size.
Dialside, we see the trend of simplification continue. Where the Doppel-Felix featured a telemeter scale on the rehaut and more densely printed markers, the Doppel 38 is decidedly more refined. The brushed rehaut now only has 60-minute markings, while the minute markers atop the large Arabics have been completely removed and the minute track simplified. Even the circularly grained sub-dial of the running seconds is cleaner, free of any numerals whatsoever. Three of the four new dial colours feature Arabic numerals throughout, paired with syringe hands matched to the colour of the numerals. The simplest of all opts for slender rectangular markers and only a printed 12 o’clock Arabic numeral, together with blued feuille hands, matching the rattrapante hand colour.
As someone who’s been eyeing a salmon-dialled Habring² chronograph for a while, my pick of the bunch is the very same version of the Doppel 38, as biased as it may be. The two panda variants offer a bit more contrast, one opting for some fauxtina and two-toned rattrapante hands against a vertically brushed backdrop.
A development of Habring²’s in-house A11 movement also resides in the back of the Doppel 38. Named the A11R-H1, it’s a manually wound calibre with a 48-hour power reserve, beating at 4Hz. Yes, it is derived from the 7750, relying on its robust chronograph cam componentry, though the A11 comes together much more precisely. With its components hand-assembled rather than welded on a production line, virtually none are interchangeable with a run-of-the-mill 7750. It’s equipped with a balance spring manufactured by Carl Haas, an anti-magnetic escapement and KIF shock-resistance. Decoration-wise, the blued steel components are a Habring² signature. Perlage graces the plates and bridges, while the chronograph componentry is bevelled and straight-grained.
Habring² Doppel 38 pricing and availability:
The Habring² Doppel 38 is available now for orders, and is not a limited model. Price: €9,250, inclusive of 20% VAT
| Brand | Habring² |
| Model | Doppel 38 |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm midcase, 41mm bezel, 13mm thickness |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Vertically brushed galvanised metal, silver panda fauxtina, silver panda, salmon, silver grained |
| Strap | Leather strap with steel pin buckle |
| Movement | Habring² A11R-H1, in-house design and assembly, manually wound, rattrapante monopusher chronograph |
| Price | €9,250, inclusive of 20% VAT |