Independents

finally I am in the position to continue with Part 2 of my report on a visit with Maria Kristina and Richard Habring. Part 1 can be found here . Originally I had a different structure in mind but I changed that last week, causing some delay. 

Anyway, here we go!

Note: we had lots of fun during our visit, so please don't take the pictures too serious...!

Remember we ended the first chapter at the doorbell to the Habring² atelier (and of course you are right, it is Maria's wrist!)?

Maria guides us up the stairway until we finally find ourselves in front of a massive iron door dating from 1609. What a fitting signpost for a location filled with mechanical artifacts!

Once you pass the door (very heavy and well protected ;-)) you are surprised that the space opens to reveal a fully equipped cosy apartment. Very convenient to hosts guests, journalists and the interns that are accepted from time to time.

From here you can admire the breathtaking view over Völkermarkt's ancient architecture and the Karavanke mountains. It was a bright day:

We turn right, pass through the small kitchen and already glimpse at some very promising watchmaker's tables and machinery. But our attention is firmly set on the Regulator wall clock left of the doorpost:

This clock has been created by richard during his formal training at the famous Austrian federal watchmaking school in Karlstein. The school, in old times known as the "Royal College for the Watchmaking Industry" has made significant contributions to European watchmaking. One of the alumni is a certain Walter Lange! 

Each student of this school is supposed to complete such a clock during his/her first and second year of study to practice the basic skills of watchmaking.

The going train of the clock is good for an autonomy of 8 days.

The engravings clearly tell us when Richard started his training. Please note the high quality of workmanship and finish Richard demonstrated from early on:

Back to the atelier. It is distributed over the two top levels of the building which is quite confusing at the first encounter. The individual rooms are plenty and relatively small, but this offers the opportunity to separate distinct functional units, e.g. drilling, assembly, polishing or cleaning.

But where is Richard? Finally Maria finds him working on custom spare parts for a restoration project (more further down).

We decided to let him continue with his work and instead tried to identify the small artifacts that define any atelier. The first one is not far away:

An IWC-based pocket watch (IWC Cal. 67) that Richard built years ago in order to find out how it looks to apply one's own name on a timepiece. It realised by using Letraset (does anyone remember?). Its due for modification some time in the future!

Obviously we find movement kits for the Habring² watches...

... but there is more to see. For Maria and Richard's watches simple solutions for all their complications are important, and simplicity needs precision. No wonder you can see high-resolution measuring tools and gauges throughout the atelier.

Another business section of Habring² are consulting services for the watch industry. One of the results is a collaboration with the watch mover manufacturer Buben & Zörweg who desired an extraordinary clock to adorn the more upmarket moving machines. It is called Orbit:

The clock has been designed and is produced in Völkermarkt. It is unusual in that it features a flying tourbillon mounted to the tip of the minute hand.

Upon close inspection you see that the tourbillon cage, machined in aluminum, is executed like the B&Z logo. The cage carries a Swiss lever escapement with Breguet spiral and a force constante mechanism:

As I mentioned in the beginning, Habring² also offers restoration and repair services. You find candidates all over the atelier.

In fact, while we were there Richard was busy with a Zenith El Primero watch from the 70s. The watch was quite worn and he needed to machine a new movement holder ring from scratch.

Despite being so careful and precise I was amazed how fast Richard worked on this task. Note three things: (i) the vintage machinery (see any CNC?), (ii) constant measurements being taken during each step and (iii) the expression of concentration on Richard's face:

Finally, we also got a glimpse on a clandestine new development. Its done in collaboration with a major military power in Europe, and all I can say that the secret lies in the material(s) employed... ;-(

We left Richard to find out what Maria is up to. Being responsible for the business side of Habring² she has her office at the same level as Richard's main workshop.

Maria is also very actively involved in the core watchmaking operation. Being eagle-eyed she is conducting the quality certification for each and every part. Not only does she check the finalised watches, she also inspects all parts sourced from outside suppliers. I can attest firsthand that I do not wish to produce for Habring² - my rejection rate would be far too high!

Inspection:

Dust-removal:

Removal of cleaning residues:

It was exactly in these minutes that I decided to have my Habring² equipped with a black dial!

Overwhelmed with impressions it was time to retreat and set an end to the day. Richard turned out to stubbornly stick to his tools and Maria had quite a job trying to pry him off his workbench:

Thanks God the movement holder was finished in time:

We crossed Völkermart's central plaza to prepare of Dinner at Richard's and Maria's home.

Well, almost: The two felt that they still had to work. The idea was to have a more organic logo, and heated discussed ensued:

But in the end a compromise was reached:

So far, so good! An in-depth technical discussion on Habring² watches shall be the topic of an upcoming post! A word of warning right now already: that will be quite technical and not so easy to read!

>>> Continued next week!

More posts: Ballon BleuFlying TourbillonHabring

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