Description
Habring² Josef
Josef – the regulator that has it all
For its 20th anniversary, Habring² is presenting a manufactory regulator that has more to offer than a time display with chronometer precision: Josef also scores points with a gear-winding reserve and the jumping seconds, with which his “brother”, Erwin has already impressed.
Without discriminating against other watches, one could describe regulators as the measure of all things. At least when it comes to the precisely readable time display. The focus of these watches is not the hour display, but the minute display. As early as the 18th and 19th centuries, regulator timepieces were used in watchmaking workshops and observatories as reference clocks for the precise setting and calibration of other clocks. In other words: everyone had to comply with the regulator. As such, the Josef model enriches the Austrian manufacturer’s collection. And, what’s more, it’s a regulator that has it all, in the truest sense of the word thanks to its multitasking talent.
Josef offers the advantages of a regulator with an easy-to-read dial, whose font “Ancad Upright” (for “Ancien Cadran” = “old dial”), inspired by instagramer Lee Yuen_Rapati (aka @oneourwatch), premieres with the launch of Josef.
Another special feature of this model is the jumping seconds. In this respect, Josef is a reinterpretation of Erwin, the first jumping second timepiece in the Habring² collection. This regulator also signals to the proud wearer when it is time to wind the movement thanks to the fourth hand on the dial that shows the power reserve. With this, Josef gives the manufactory another first. The regulator is powered by the first Habring² manufacture movement with a power reserve display. All in all, it’s a timepiece that champions the future at Habring2 while giving a nod to the traditions of fine watchmaking and horological precision.
Nod to Austrian watchmaking greats
Why Joseph? This name comes from Hebrew and means something akin to “God adds”. However, Habring² chose this first name for the new model as a nod to well-known Austrian watchmaking greats from history who had the first name Josef or Joseph. For example, Joseph Geist (1770-1824), the founder of the first Austrian watch manufacturer in Graz. One of his most famous clocks is a pendulum clock in the 14 meter high dome of the Vienna University Observatory on the Türkenschanze. Geist also completely redesigned the movement in the famous Graz clock tower.
Another great Austrian horologist, Joseph Thaddäus Winnerl (1799-1886), was born in Styria and, after working as a watchmaker in northern Germany and Denmark, later worked for Breguet in Paris. In 1831 he presented the chronoscope, a pocket watch with a stopwatch function (the forerunner of today’s chronographs). That’s not all; Winnerl also laid the foundation for the Chrono-Rattrapante, i.e. the split-seconds chronograph.
And finally, the Austrian engineer Josef Pallweber (1858-1912), who developed pocket watches with jump numerals; Both the hours and the minutes are displayed with jump numbers, only the seconds are displayed conventionally.
Last but not least, every regulator is also an indirect indication of how precious every single minute is for us. Or, to put it with Albert Schweizer: “For every minute you spend angry, you miss 60 happy seconds of your life.”
Habring²’s Josef presents a striking new cushion case form with a contemporary take on the regulator. This piece is such a unique addition to the collection that it is destined to become collectable as time goes by.
Whether you opt for the charm of a tone-in-tone suede band or upgrade to metal bracelet, Josef is much more than a watch, it is a sign of times past, and yet to come.
Technical details
Movement:
In-house calibre Habring² A11GSP:
- Diameter 30 mm; High 6.25 mm
- Hour display at 6 o‘clock, central minute display, jumping second at 12 o‘clock, power reserve at 3 oclock
- 28.800 alternates per hour (4Hz)
- Hand-wound with 48 hours power reserve
- Tangential screw fine adjustment
- Anti-magnetic escapement with a Carl Haas hairspring in chronometer quality
- KIF-shock protection pursuant to DIN and NIHS standards
- 21 rubies
- Elaborately refined by hand with polished edges, decorative engravings, perlage etc.
- 82 service-relevant single components (150 parts in total)
Case:
- Stainless steel, 2-part cushion case, 38.5 mm diameter, lug-to-lug 47mm, height 8,4 mm (without glass)
- Waterproof to the depth equivalent of 30 metres
- Domed sapphire crystal
- Double-sealed crown, sapphire crystal case back
- Consecutive engraved serial number bewteen the lugs at 6 o‘clock
Dial/hands:
- Gloss laquered finish with black print
- Polished, flame-blued hands
