Founded by husband-and-wife duo Richard and Maria Habring in the small town of Völkermarkt, Austria, seasoned enthusiasts and collectors will know that Habring² is well known for producing some of the most creative, understated, and technically impressive timepieces on the market at relatively affordable price points, with a primary focus on chronographs and dead-beat seconds.
Among the myriad of watches produced over the years, there is one rare Habring² that is arguably the most elusive and desirable among collectors, and we are really excited to be able to offer it on the site today.
This is the Habring² Monopusher Japan Edition for Shellman, a reference produced and retailed exclusively through their long-time retail partner of choice - a well-known Tokyo-based retailer called Shellman, to which only a total of 20 pieces were estimated to have been made in 36mm, and only a mere 5 pieces in this particular configuration.
For context, the monopusher chronograph is a complication long-revered among horological enthusiasts and collectors alike. With all of the chronograph functions being controlled via a single pusher, this would usually mean that a more complex mechanism is required in order to operate a watch with such functionality.
This Habring² Monopusher is housed in a beautifully-sized, utilitarian 36mm stainless steel case which has a stepped concave bezel and polished lugs. On its gorgeous silver dial, you will find key design cues reminiscent of early vintage chronographs of the 1940s (e.g. Longines, Patek Phillipe), such as the thermal-blued, polished leaf hands and the beautiful Breguet numerals. It also features two sub-dials on the 9 and 3 o ‘clock positions, a telemeter scale on the outer perimeter of the dial, and a snail-shaped tachymeter scale at the center.
The watch is powered by the proprietary hand-wound Cal. A08-MONO, which is derived from the robust and reliable Valjoux 7750. Crucially, Habring² modified the movement’s construction and design to a significant degree, which greatly improved its serviceability, technical qualities as well as its overall aesthetics. In fact, its entire construction is produced with components manufactured by independent suppliers and none from ETA. However, contrary to the brand’s other Cal. A11, which is also derived from the same Valjoux 7750, the Cal. A08-MONO uses an Incabloc shock absorber system as opposed to a KIF one. The finishing found on this caliber is also executed to a very high level, the bridges are finished with circular graining and the baseplate features a distinct perlage pattern.
Overall, this Habring² Monopusher Shellman Japan Edition is an absolutely stunning watch. It has the entire package, featuring a great balance of complication, visual appeal, aesthetics, technical prowess, and collectability. I highly recommend any serious collector to take a closer look at this Habring² Monopusher Shellman Japan Edition as it is, without a shadow of a doubt, not something you will see very often.
