Monochrome and Habring² team up for charity with the unique Doppel 38 Salmon Sector
Borna BošnjakMaria and Richard Habring of Habring² have long been revered as underappreciated makers of very fine timepieces, with the Austrian outfit a long-time enthusiast favourite. The topic of today’s story is their latest take on the new Habring² Doppel 38, made alongside previous collaborators Monochrome Watches, a Netherlands-based online watch magazine, run by watch nerd colleagues. The collaboration I’m referring to is their salmon-dialled Montre de Souscription 1, based on the Habring² Chrono-Felix monopusher chronograph. While that piece was limited to 33 pieces, the Monochrome x Habring² Doppel 38 Salmon Sector is a piece unique, set to be auctioned at the upcoming Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XVII, with all proceeds going to the Save the Children charity.
If you’ve read any of my previous articles, chances are high that I would’ve raved about my love for Habring², salmon dials, sector dials, or all three – this watch is all three. The dial is finished in three different styles, the borders between them outlined by bold printing. If the dial looks very similar to Monochromes Montre de Souscription, that’s because it’s identical to those, resulting from an unused spare left over from the 33-piece limited edition. The cherry on top for the Salmon Sector is the heat-blued handset – a perfect pairing with the dial colour.
The launch of the more compact Doppel from Habring² was exciting, as the previous model, with its 42mm diameter and chunky case, wasn’t the most wrist-friendly. The case of the Doppel 38 Salmon Sector, however, differs from the regular Doppel 38. It’s entirely brushed, for starters, and features a stepped bezel in place of the smooth polished number of the Doppel 38. The case measures in at 38.5mm in diameter and 13mm in height, which is very respectable considering the complicated movement and tall handstack that it houses. The taupe nubuck strap is lined in bright blue, a Monochrome signature, and quick-release. I’m hoping that whoever the lucky top bidder is will experiment with some strap options.
Finally, the movement. It’s unchanged from the regular Doppel 38, though this is not a downside by any means. The rattrapante chronograph-equipped A11R-H1 is developed from Habring²’s in-house A11 calibre, with a power reserve of 48 hours, sporting a Carl Haas balance spring and KIF shock-resistance. It may be difficult to see, but the movement actually uses the chronograph cam design of the Valjoux 7750. That being said, all of the components are either self-made or supplied from local suppliers, before being hand-assembled and finished in-house, with very few components interchangeable with the regular 7750.
Monochrome x Habring² Doppel 38 Salmon Sector Piece Unique pricing and availability:
The Monochrome x Habring² Doppel 38 Salmon Sector will be auctioned as part of The Geneva Watch Auction XVII, in association with Bacs & Russo in Geneva on 13-14 May 2023. You can find the catalogue listing here, under Lot 30. All proceeds will be donated to the Save the Children charity. Estimate: CHF 10,000 – 20,000, no reserve
| Brand | Habring² |
| Model | Doppel 38 Salmon Sector x Monochrome |
| Case Dimensions | 38.5mm (D) x 13mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Dial | Two-tone salmon sector dial, galvanised rose gold |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Strap | Taupe Monochrome leather strap, quick-release spring bars |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Movement | Habring² A11R-H1, in-house, hand-wound, Carl Haas hairspring |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours |
| Functions | Split-seconds monopusher chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds |
| Availability | Piece unique |
| Estimate | CHF 10,000 – 20,000, no reserve |