Habring2 Foudroyante Felix Date Review
Habring2 is perhaps the most affordable brand among the independent watchmakers who have won GPHG awards, developed in-house movements and maintained a low production volume. While browsing the Habring2 web site, I was intrigued by the combination of Foudroyante and dead-beat seconds, two very unusual complications, in one watch, plus the pointer date. The watch is capable of measuring sub-seconds, seconds, minutes, hours and date in a month.
Foudroyante is a French word meaning “lightning seconds”, which also is referred to as “flashing seconds”. This hand measures subseconds and makes one circle in one second. A typical foudroyante mechanism releases each time the balance passes its central position. As the in-house movement A11F is designed to beat at 28,000 vph, or 8 vibrations per second, the foudroyante is beating at the same rate of 8 stops per second. In other words, Habring2’s foudroyante Felix can measure ⅛ second. It is ticking so fast, it is hard to have real use except having fun looking at it.
The dead-beat seconds (or jumping seconds) is a compilation that ensures second hand to tick once a second, rather than a smooth sweep. It is useful for more precise measurement such as when taking the pulse. It is not an easy complication to implement and normally the watches with dead-beat function would cost a lot. A number of Habring2 models offer jumping seconds with very affordable prices.
This watch also comes with a pointer date which is very easy to read. One nice thing is that there is an option to choose automatic or manual wind for the movement. I opted for the manual wind model as the case is a bit less thick. Power reserve is 48 hours in the spec and I measured it to be 49 hours. The accuracy is +1.6 seconds per day measured over 11 days. 
Habring2 Foudroyante Felix Date Review
Yes
No
- Dead-beat seconds and flashing seconds in one
- Option to choose automatic or manual wind movement
- Affordable price
- The dial size may be a bit too big for some folks
Passionate about watch collecting, he is a member of the HSNY and loves to share his experience and joy with fellow watch lovers.
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Great review beautiful watch. Thank you for sharing
Love this watch and the brand. Maria and Richard Habring are doing great stuff in Austria. Proud owner of many Habring2 pieces.
Great review beautiful watch. Thank you for sharing
Thanks for the comment and I'm really glad that you liked the review :)
Love this watch and the brand. Maria and Richard Habring are doing great stuff in Austria. Proud owner of many Habring2 pieces.
That is so nice that you have multiple Habring2 in your collection! This is my only one so far and I really like it. After I got this one, the dealer told me that Habring2 may produce a GMT which I would love to get. But I have not seen it yet. I saw a Harbring worldtimer from earlier year that owner may specify the city names. I would very much to do this, but it seems that they don't have this any more. Any insights or advice? Thanks!
That is so nice that you have multiple Habring2 in your collection! This is my only one so far and I really like it. After I got this one, the dealer told me that Habring2 may produce a GMT which I would love to get. But I have not seen it yet. I saw a Harbring worldtimer from earlier year that owner may specify the city names. I would very much to do this, but it seems that they don't have this any more. Any insights or advice? Thanks!
I ordered the Chrono Felix (typically in a 38.5mm case size) in a 41mm case and Richard added the GMT function to the watch.
I don't have a WorldTimer from Maria and Richard, but you can ask them directly. It should still be possible but the wait times are now longer than usual.
I ordered the Chrono Felix (typically in a 38.5mm case size) in a 41mm case and Richard added the GMT function to the watch.
I don't have a WorldTimer from Maria and Richard, but you can ask them directly. It should still be possible but the wait times are now longer than usual.
Thanks a lot for the tips! It is wonderful that you got to customize the functions by directly working with Maria and Richard. It is great to see that more people love their watches now, but I know the wait time will be longer too. I will look into it, thanks again!
Would love to pick up this exact watch someday without the date complication. The brushed silver dial + rose gold details are fantastic. Enjoy!