Habring² x Benzinger – Jorge

The Benzinger x Habring² Jorge is the first collaborative project between two acclaimed independent modern watchmaking ateliers. It combines the Austrian precision and technical sophistication of Habring² with the German art of hand-guilloché by Jochen Benzinger. The result is a refined and compact model that sits elegantly on the wrist, yet captivates with its depth and wealth of artisanal details.

Inside the watch beats a Habring² manufacture hand-wound movement, based on the in-house Oskar platform and specially modified for this model. It features a "small seconds" indicator, an enlarged moon phase for better legibility, and a pointer date. All functions are controlled via discreetly placed correctors. Precision is ensured by a blued Carl Haas chronometer-grade hairspring, complemented by KIF shock absorption, a tangential regulator, and components with anti-magnetic properties. The power reserve is approximately 48 hours.

The movement's architecture was chosen with an emphasis on clarity and technical transparency. The Jorge uses a compact bridge arrangement inspired by classic Anglo-Saxon calibers – it appears minimalist but offers ample space for detailed craftsmanship. The bridges feature a subtle joint signature of both brands, and after full winding, a small, playful motif appears in the window – a dachshund, symbolically overseeing the 48-hour power reserve.

The dial bears the clear signature of Jochen Benzinger. The main surface is adorned with fine barleycorn guilloché, which plays with light in a regular rhythm, while the sub-dials are enlivened by a sunray pattern. Both printed and applied scales are set in gold rings above a silky anthracite background, which adds depth without visual clutter. The steel hands, handmade and thermally blued to a reddish-brown hue, are a typical example of Habring²'s renowned emphasis on detail and handcraft.

The polished stainless steel case has a diameter of 38.5 mm and is complemented by a "box" sapphire crystal, which accentuates its elegant profile. Double crown sealing and a transparent sapphire case back complete the overall impression of solidity and technical purity. Between the lugs, the serial number confirms the limited production of each piece.

The Jorge model pays homage to George Daniels, one of the most influential watchmakers of the 20th century. In the spirit of his legacy, it combines handcraft, precise mechanics, and a restrained, refined design. On the wrist, it acts as a true dialogue between two masters who share the same view of the value of time – in its duration, depth, and beauty.

Mechanical watches made with love by "organic farmers of independent watchmaking," as founders Maria and Richard Habring call themselves. The brand's main specialization is offering fascinating complications at very attractive prices. With an annual production of 200 watches, manufactured by a small team of watchmakers in Austria, Habring² can arguably be considered the smallest true "manufacture."

Richard and Maria founded Habring² in 2004 and shortly thereafter developed their own in-house movements. They have won the prestigious Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève four times!