In the lexicon of contemporary independent watchmaking, few words have retained as much meaning over time as second death. It is not just any wording: it is a statement of method, a function born to measure time with absolute rigor. And it is from here that the new Habring² x MONOCHROME Montre de Souscription 4 Seconde Morte collaboration takes shape, a watch that synthesizes two visions: that of a specialized magazine and that of a manufacture that has built its reputation on technical and stylistic refinement.
Habring²: independence without compromise
Founded in 2004 in Völkermarkt, Austria, by Richard and Maria Habring, Habring² is now considered one of the most coherent independent companies, in its precourse, on the European scene. Richard Habring is known to insiders for his relevant background as a watchmaker and developer of complications, particularly chronographs, and for his exquisitely engineered approach.
Since its beginnings, the brand has built its language around mechanically “pure” complications: single-pusher chronographs, rattrapanti, foudroyante, and, above all, jumping seconds. Models such as the DoppelChronograph, Chrono-Felix, and Erwin Jumping Second never sought stage effect, but established themselves as solid, readable mechanical “instruments” designed for real-world use.
The industrial breakthrough came in 2014 with the birth of the A11 calibres, proprietary movements marking the ultimate independence from ETA. While conceptually inspired by the architecture of the Valjoux 7750, the A11 is profoundly reworked: almost all components are exclusive to Habring², produced in-house or by selected suppliers in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
MONOCHROME and the “Montre de Souscription”
Since 2006, MONOCHROME has been among the publishing realities for those who look at watchmaking with a technical and analytical approach. The Montre de Souscription project, launched in 2021, was born with a clear idea: to collaborate with independent manufacturers to create watches that reflect a shared vision, sold directly by subscription and produced in deliberately small numbers.
Montre de Souscription 1 – Crédits: MONOCHROME
After collaborations with Habring², Czapek and Armin Strom, the Montre de Souscription 4 marks a return to the origins of the concept, relying on the Austrian manufacture with which it all began. If the first MoS was a 1940s-inspired single-pusher chronograph, this new iteration takes as its base one of the brand’s most emblematic models: the Erwin Jumping Second.
A new reading of the Erwin
The MdS 4 Seconde Morte uses the Erwin as its technical platform, but reinterprets its aesthetic codes. The
Slightly domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment protects a dial that is the true hallmark of the design. For the first time at Habring², MONOCHROME introduces a strong Art Deco inspiration, developed with the contribution of young designer Pietro Pilla.
The dial is glossy black lacquered, enlivened by a highly detailed seconds minute track, applied and elongated Roman numerals, and polished diamond hour markers. The contrast between the polished surfaces of the dial and the “minimal” appearance of the case creates a visual tension unprecedented for the Erwin model.
Consistent with the Montres de Souscription tradition, the indication “Seconde Morte” appears in uncompromising French at 6 o’clock.
The A11S caliber
Inside is the Habring² caliber A11S, a hand-wound movement with jumping central seconds. The specifications speak for themselves: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), 48 hours of power reserve, 21 jewels and 126 components. The deadbeat seconds system is integrated directly into the movement and requires only seven additional components compared to the “time only” version of the Felix caliber, adding just 2 mm to the overall thickness.
The principle of operation is the classic jumping seconds: an additional gear train accumulates energy through a dedicated spring, releasing it exactly once per second. The result is a hand that advances in sharp jerks while maintaining a traditional mechanical movement.
From a technical point of view, the A11S adopts a tangential screw fine adjustment, an antimagnetic escapement with Carl Haas balance spring and KIF shock protection, in accordance with DIN and NIHS standards. Through the sapphire case back, the movement reveals a sober but careful manual decoration: polished anglage, satin-finished surfaces, perlage and blued screws.
Conclusions
The Habring² x MONOCHROME Montre de Souscription 4 Seconde Morte will be produced in a maximum of 33 pieces, all individually numbered. It will be sold exclusively by subscription for a period of two weeks, starting on December 18, 2025 at 15:00 CET.
The price is set at 6,000 euros (excluding tax) and includes insured international shipping and a three-year Habring² warranty. The watch comes with a
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