Habring² Doppel 2.0, Chronograph

The Austrian Watchmaker

Habring² was founded by husband-and-wife duo Richard and Maria Habring, creators of relatively under-the-radar watches from the small town of Völkermarkt, Austria. Richard Habring is known for developing several notable complications during his formative years at IWC, including the split-second Doppel chronograph.

The timepieces that leave the Austrian manufacture are attractively priced, cleverly constructed complications. Despite their relatively small operation, the Austrian watchmaker’s work has been recognised by the wider horological community. Impressively, their watches have been nominated multiple times for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), including for the Doppel 2.0, which won the sports watch category in 2012.

The Double Chronograph 

A double chronograph typically displays two seconds hands, a main hand and an overlaid sweep hand, which move in unison when activated to time an event. In order to keep track of a second event, the wearer presses the left-hand pusher, which stops the overlaid sweep hand and allows the user to see the elapsed time even as the main hand continues to time the event until stopped. Pressing the pusher again brings the two hands back into sync.

In particular, the Doppel 2.0 omits the traditional column wheel and features a dual-register dial, with three pushers in total. Meanwhile, the split-seconds function is slightly different from the original Doppel, with a simplified bridge-layout that can be seen through the sapphire caseback.

The Design

In keeping with their vintage sports watch aesthetic, this Doppel 2.0 comes in stainless steel, with a sleek black dial and dual silvered, engine-turned sub-dials at the 9 o'clock and 3 o’clock positions respectively. The two second hands are significantly more slender compared to the hour and minute hands, adding a more dynamic dimension to the dial.

Breguet-style Arabic numerals are purposefully used at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, which balance the dial, whilst polished indices are found on all other hour markers. Applied and filled with SuperLuminova, these give an added depth and usability to the dial, which is also used in the thicker hour and minute hands. The brand chose to give a warm hue to the lume on the hands and the indexes, reminiscent of the patina found on vintage watches. At 42mm in diameter, this is a modern watch that asserts itself comfortably on the wearer’s wrist.

The Movement 

This Habring² Doppel 2.0 is powered by the A08MR, a manually-wound calibre closely based on the Valjoux 7750. The construction and design of this calibre have been heavily modified, improving both its technical qualities as well as its aesthetics. Departing slightly from tradition, there are no column wheels present within this movement, in keeping with the Valjoux base.

The movement is fitted with 23 jewels and has a 48-hour power reserve. A sapphire caseback displays the movement. Arranged in a reworked layout, the bridges are finished with a circular graining and bevelled edges, while the base plate features perlage. Most of the chronograph levers are straight-grained, with their edges bevelled and polished. The use of blued steel and gilded components further reinforces the visual appeal of the watch. 

The Set

This Habring² Doppel 2.0 comes with an outer box, inner box, an additional blue dial, additional sets of hands, and a booklet that includes the details of the watch and watch manual. Included is the original Habring² strap and stainless steel buckle.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Habring² Doppel 2.0 will be subject to 20% VAT. Viewings are currently suspended for the time being.

Closer look