Description
Habring² Chrono-Felix Top-Second
Renaissance of a complication and a “Lightning-Smart Addition” to the Felix Family.
Habring²‘s successful Felix family of watches continues to grow through innovative and delightful complications and designs. The Chrono-Felix Top Second carries a special treat for lovers of detail because the top-second model signals every 2.5 seconds in a small window at 9 o’clock. In this way, it gives the impression of a flashing light, however the interior of the Chrono-Felix Top-Second is operated exclusively mechanically. Read on to find out more about this ‘magic lamp’ characteristic.
With this piece, Habring² is continuing its tradition of reviving horological complications that were sometimes forgotten over time. In the past, this included the jumping second and foudroyante (aka “flashing second”). Similarly, Habring2’s Top Second complication has gone under the radar for decades, unless you are dedicated enough to rummage through old manufacturers’ catalogues. In fact, the Top Second was originally introduced in the 1960s by Swiss manufacturer Mondia. However, this company was later acquired by Zenith, with the result that both the name of the manufacturer and the Top Second complication gradually disappeared from the market.
But, you may be wondering, how does the seconds display that flashes every 2.5 seconds work? A look inside the timepiece, where the manufacture calibre A11FC ticks, reveals the mechanism. There, you’ll find a small, spinning propeller with two blades. Every 5 seconds, the entire propeller rotates; however, because of the two blades, the seconds signal flashes every 2.5 seconds on the dial at 9 o’clock. The chronograph’s 30-minute counter is located at 3 o’clock.
The complication also has several very practical advantages:
- Thanks to the Top Second, the running second at 9 o’clock is unnecessary. This makes the dial look more harmonious, because fewer numerals are cut.
- You could also call the Chrono-Felix Top-Second a technically smaller brother of the Foudroyante Felix. This model by Habring² combines the flashing second (a hand rotating once per second on a subdial, giving the watch lover an impression of mechanical dynamics) and the jumping second. The Chrono-Felix Top-Second is thus a lighter, functional version of the Foudroyante.
The exciting question posed by this watch is – what the proud wearer of this model can do in 5 seconds (2 x 2.5 seconds) until the little propeller has turned in each case. Of course, the new Felix model measures the short time, as a chronograph should. But on top of that, the 5-second rhythm assists with time management. According to motivational coach Mel Robbins the 5-second countdown activates the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain responsible for conscious decisions.
Mel recommends an inner countdown to motivate action if you just don’t feel like doing an unpleasant task. For example, you decide to make an unpleasant phone call that you’ve been putting off again and again. Then you count backwards: 5,4,3,2,1 and dial the number on your smartphone. Give it a go!
This way, the Chrono-Felix Top-Second is more than a well-balanced, new-improved timepeice because it has the potential to become a ticking coach that can make you more efficient and time savvy.
TECHNICAL DATA
Manufacturer’s movement Habring² A11FC:
- Diameter 30 mm; height 7,0 mm
- Hour hand, minute hand, Top-Second indication at 9 o’clock
- Mono-pusher chronograph with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock
- 28.800 half-oscillations per hour (4Hz)
- Hand-wound with 48 hours of power reserve
- Fine tangential screw adjustment
- Amagnetic escapement with Carl Haas balance hairspring in chronometer quality
- KIF shockproof pursuant to DIN and NIHS
- 25 rubies
- Elaborately hand-finished with polished bevels, decorative ribbing, perlage, etc.
- 83 service-relevant single components (187 parts in total)
Case:
- Stainless steel, three parts, diameter 38.5 mm, height 11 mm
- Waterproof to the equivalent of a depth of 30 meters
- Spherical sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Double-sealed crown, sapphire case back
- Consecutive serial number engraved between the lugs at 6 o’clock
Dial/hands:
- Black lacquered metal dial with white printing
- Polished, rhodiated hands with Superluminova©
