Jochen Benzinger X Habring2 Jorge Moon Phases

Habring² is a small but highly regarded manufacturer of mechanical wristwatches and movements, often featuring unique complications.  Located in Volkermarkt, Austria, the brand was launched in 2004 by Richard and Maria Habring with the goal of becoming Austria's first modern mechanical watch brand.   

Over the years, Habring² has earned a sterling reputation not only for their watches, but also for fostering partnerships with other brands embracing their philosophy of high quality and small production.

The team of Jochen Benzinger and Habring² combines two of the most respected names in independent watchmaking.
While the individual elements that make up the dial of the Jochen Benzinger X Habring² Jorge may look familiar (depending on how well versed you are in Jochen Benzinger's work), the way blends these elements together on this particular watch is tremendously impressive.

Brownish red steel chapter rings immediately catch the eye along with their matching polished steel hands. These elements are oxidized by hand over an open flame to create a hue not dissimilar to rose gold.  

The positioning of the hour and minute hands is shifted slightly toward the 12 to make room for the smaller registers, similar to watches featuring subscription complications.  This special watch features a rotating moon phase disc visible through a cutout in the sweep seconds register.

The guilloched elements of the metal dial are where Jochen's immense skill truly shines (pun intended).  Jochen uses antique rose engines to engrave interesting guilloche patterns, all by hand.  Hundreds of tiny reflections and shadows caused by the barley and ray guilloche patterns rippling in the light make this watch come to life on the wrist.

Classic in taste but outlandishly complicated to create, the dial of the Jochen Benzinger X Habring² Jorge Moon Phases is a testament to Jochen's decades of experience.

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The Movement

Visible through the sapphire case back of this watch is a beautifully plated manufacture calibre beating at 28,800bph (4Hz), the Habring² A11JBM.  While the GAP 1 and GAP 2 required movement layouts that allowed for guilloched elements, the bridge architecture of the Jorge is more traditional and inspired by old Anglo-Saxon models. 

This movement is manually wound and features tangential screw fine regulation for improved accuracy and a KIF shock absorber, which offers additional protection against external forces.  The blue Carl Haas German balance spring is designed for chronometer level timekeeping.  

A "HABRING² - BENZINGER" engraving runs along the border of the barrel and gear train.  This engraving matches the brand plate on the front of the watch at 6. 

A dachshund is in charge of the ratchet wheel (because why not?).

The Case

The 38.5 mm stainless steel case of the Jochen Benzinger X Habring² Jorge features flowing lines and a transparent sapphire case back along with a raised sapphire crystal on the front. 

The front crystal rises almost 2 mm from the top edge of the case and reinforces the sophisticated and elevated look of this watch.  In total, the height of this watch is quite thin at only 10.75 mm.

Another notable feature is the positioning of the crown.  The crown is located at 2 while the traditional position at 3 is occupied by an inset pusher for quickly setting the date.