Get ready for a watch that's rewriting the rules! Habring² and SJX have teamed up for a collaboration that's more than just a pretty face – it's packed with groundbreaking firsts for Habring². This isn't your average dial swap; they've truly reimagined the beloved Chrono-Felix.
What's the Buzz About?
It's always an exciting moment when Habring² unveils a new timepiece, and this latest creation, born from a partnership with SJX, is no exception. This marks the second collaboration between these two esteemed brands, following the successful Erwin "Star" SJX Edition five years ago, which celebrated JX Su's fondness for vintage stelline dials. This new venture dives headfirst into one of Habring²'s most iconic and cherished models: the monopusher Chrono-Felix. While the Chrono-Felix has been a fantastic canvas for numerous past collaborations, including multiple with the Japanese retailer Shellman, this release pushes the boundaries significantly. Habring² and SJX have introduced several "firsts" for this particular model, moving far beyond a simple dial variation.
The Habring² x SJX Chrono-Felix Medicus masterfully blends vintage aesthetics with a distinct medical flair, featuring a multi-scale layout and a pulsation scale. This limited edition is capped at just 25 pieces per variant. You have your choice between a sophisticated grey dial adorned with pink gold-plated accents, housed in a sandblasted stainless steel case reminiscent of vintage chrome-plated cases that often show charming pitting after decades of use. Alternatively, a striking silver dial with polished blued accents complements a brushed stainless steel case. The use of the highly sought-after Breguet numerals is a clear highlight, but a closer inspection reveals even more thoughtful details, such as a vertically brushed dial, a snailed subdial, and a snailed outer track.
But here's where it gets truly innovative... For the first time ever with Habring², this watch features a single 30-minute counter positioned at 12 o'clock. Additionally, a new case design debuts with a flat, single-step bezel and a beautifully domed box crystal, all within a refined 38.5mm by 11.2mm case (measuring 8.75mm excluding the sapphire crystal). By intentionally minimizing branding on the dial, this collaboration masterfully evokes the allure of unsigned vintage chronographs that are so popular in the market today.
At its heart beats the Habring² A11C-H0 caliber, a manually wound 4Hz monopusher movement that can be admired through the display caseback. While it may not boast the elaborate finishing found in timepieces many times its price, the quality of the hand-done finishing here is exceptional. It includes polished edges, perlage, and meticulously finished steel chronograph components by the independent watchmaker Pöhlmann-Bresan.
The caliber is equipped with a fine tangential screw adjustment and an amagnetic escapement, featuring a Carl Haas balance hairspring of chronometer quality. On the caseback side, you'll find other special touches, including the individually numbered limited edition and the striking Rod of Asclepius – the serpent-entwined staff symbolizing healing and medicine, carried by the Greek god Asclepius (and importantly, not to be confused with the winged caduceus!). SJX's logo is also prominently displayed at the top.
And this is the part most people miss... The true magic of any Habring² often lies in its incredible value, and this release is no exception. These exquisite timepieces are priced at $9,250 (before taxes). A 40% deposit is required upon ordering, with deliveries scheduled from May to July 2026, fulfilled in the order of placement. You can secure yours directly through SJX Watches or the legendary Japanese retailer Shellman. As a heartwarming gesture, the equivalent of €700 per watch will be donated to children's medical charities in Singapore and Austria, with both SJX Watches and Habring² contributing €350 each. Impressively, the donation for pre-order watches has already been sent to children's cancer charities!
Our Take:
There's a simple, profound joy to be found in vintage, anonymous multi-scale chronographs. While I don't personally own one (a fact I should probably rectify!), there's an undeniable beauty in the combination of a wildly complex dial and the understated lack of overt branding. In its time, this made perfect sense, as many manufacturers produced these intricate chronographs, making them widely accessible. To deliberately eschew excessive branding on a modern release is, in its own right, a bold statement. For me, the choice to incorporate Breguet numerals elevates this piece, positioning it as a contemporary interpretation of a classic. Collectors often encounter such dials with standard numerals, though vintage Breitlings, among others, did occasionally feature Breguet numerals. It's these thoughtful tweaks and twists that make acquiring something new an equally compelling experience as hunting for a vintage gem.
The Essentials:
- Brand: Habring² x SJX
- Model: Chrono-Felix Medicus
- Diameter: 38.5mm
- Thickness: 11.2mm (or 8.75mm excluding the box sapphire crystal)
- Case Material: Stainless steel, two-part construction with a flat, single-step bezel
- Dial Color: Available in grey with pink gold-plated accents or silver with polished blued accents
- Indexes: Applied and printed
- Lume: None
- Water Resistance: 30m
The Movement:
- Caliber: Habring² A11C-H0
- Functions: Hours, minutes, mono-pusher chronograph with a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock
- Diameter: 30mm
- Thickness: 5.7mm
- Power Reserve: 48 hours
- Winding: Manual
- Frequency: 28,800 vph
- Additional Details: Amagnetic escapement with a chronometer-quality Carl Haas balance hairspring; hand-finished with polished edges, perlage, etc.; steel chronograph components finished by independent watchmaker Pöhlmann-Bresan; €700 per watch donated to children's medical charities in Singapore and Austria (€350 from SJX Watches and €350 from Habring²).
Pricing & Availability:
- Price: €7,750 or $9,250 (before taxes)
- Deposit: 40% required at order
- Deliveries: May to July 2026, in order of placement
- Availability: Directly through SJX Watches and Shellman in Tokyo
- Limited Edition: 25 pieces of each dial variant
Now, let's hear from you! Does the idea of a modern watch channeling the spirit of anonymous vintage pieces appeal to you? Or do you feel a brand's identity should always be front and center? Share your thoughts below!
