Habring Watches

Habring²: Austria’s One-Watchmaker Powerhouse of Independent Horology

In a world of overhyped micros and overpriced mass-market “in-house” claims, Habring² stands apart — quietly building hand-finished, hand-assembled, brilliantly designed watches out of Austria with zero nonsense and 100% independent spirit.

You like chronographs, deadbeat seconds, rattrapantes and clean, well-executed movements?
 You want watches that are built in small batches by real watchmakers — not by marketers?

Habring is your brand.

Brand History: Richemont Roots, Independent Drive

Richard Habring made his name designing complications for IWC — including the iconic split-seconds rattrapante module used in the Doppelchronograph. He’s the guy behind a lot of what collectors today call “accessible complication.”

In 2004, he and his wife Maria Habring launched Habring² — named for the two of them. The mission? Create small-run, modular, ultra-high-integrity mechanical watches — made in Austria, powered by in-house or heavily modified base movements, and built with zero shortcuts.

Everything is assembled by hand. Many are customizable. Some are literally one-of-one.

Collector Highlights: Functional, Clean, Brilliantly Executed

  • Doppel-Felix – Manual-wind, split-seconds chronograph with column wheel — based on Richard’s IWC rattrapante design. Limited, beautiful, and mechanically clever.

  • Felix / Erwin – Three-hand (Felix) or deadbeat seconds (Erwin) watches powered by Habring’s in-house caliber. Minimalist on the outside, movement-nerd heaven on the inside.

  • Chrono-Felix – Their latest monopusher chronograph. Column wheel. Manual wind. Super slim. This is how a chrono should feel.

  • Jumping Second Pilot – A field-style, deadbeat seconds watch with true tool-watch vibes — but executed like a handmade dress piece.

  • Perpetual-Doppel – Split-seconds and perpetual calendar. Yup. It exists.

Every one of these? Limited production. Built to order. Independently developed.

Why Collectors Should Care

  • True independent — family-run, no group backing

  • In-house movement (A11 series) — built after ETA cut off supplies

  • Watchmaker-designed complications — not just off-the-shelf modules

  • Under-the-radar excellence — these are the watches serious collectors whisper about

  • Custom builds and small batches — often under 100 pieces/year

And their prices? Ridiculously fair for the amount of work that goes into each piece.

What They’re Making Now: Felix Family First, With Complications Coming Quietly

Habring’s current collection revolves around the Felix base platform, which can be:

  • Time-only (Felix)

  • Jumping seconds (Erwin)

  • Chronograph (Chrono-Felix)

  • Rattrapante (Doppel-Felix)

  • GMT / calendar / other modules added on as needed

Every watch is built to order. Many come with options for:

  • Dial design and finish

  • Case metal and size

  • Hand shape / color

  • Caseback engraving

And yes — Maria still answers emails sometimes. It’s that kind of brand.

Fed’s Take

Habring² is one of my favorite indie brands. Full stop.

They’re the antithesis of the hype machine. No flex. No waitlist games. No celebrity endorsements. Just actual horology, made by hand, with a level of modular creativity and mechanical purity that most big brands have forgotten how to do.

I’ve handled the Felix and Doppel models, and they’re everything I want in a modern watch: clean, smart, and full of soul. You can feel the watchmaker’s hand in the crown wind. You can see the logic in every component layout. And most of all? They’re a joy to wear.

If you’re collecting because you love the craft, this is your brand.

Quietly Brilliant. Authentically Built.

Habring² isn’t chasing clout. They’re chasing excellence.
 And they’ve been winning — one watch at a time — for nearly 20 years.

Delray Watch occasionally sources Habring² watches — including Felix, Erwin, Doppel, and one-off complications.

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