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With a new year, and Baselworld talk already starting, what new things would like to see from D.Dornblüth & Sohn?
In no particular order, I'd love to see:
- an upgraded buckle: not a new idea, but I have to agree with many on this forum (and elsewhere) who point out that the quality of the buckle and the engraving doesn't keep up with the watch and strap. How about a nice chunk of metal for a change?
- the engraved dial offered in more models: right now, I think it's only for the Regulator and the Gorch Fock. Since this is an in-house production, and arguably is truer to the marine chronometer history (which had engraved metal dials for durability) I'd love to see them offered for the 99.x series.
- Gorch Fock movement offered in a 99-sized case with standard dial: the PR at 12 and the subseconds at 6 is a great layout, one I like better than the 99.2. Honestly, though, I don't expect this to be offered until the GF LE is sold out and finished.
- a movement with longer PR: as a daily winder, the 99s are great, but a 7-day movement + PR would be very cool. I've seen watches with PRs of 3 or 4 days, but I'm not so sure about this. Between the current 44hr and 1 week you gain a flatter power curve for longer, but remembering to wind every 3 or 4 days is not natural. I suppose you could use the PR indicator, though....
- chronometer performance and certification (COSC or German DIN): I don't know how hard it would be to adjust an 18000 vph movement to perform this well, and I certainly would expect it to cost more, but I think this would be a very desirable option for any in the lineup. I'm sounding like a broken record, but marine chronometer legacy again. I know that many owners might argue that they are already seeing chronometer performance from their watches, and I believe them, but to me this is not the same as setting, and delivering, chronometer performance as a specific goal.
- free-sprung balance with Breguet overcoil hairspring: somewhat related to the wish above for top-notch performance, this would be an expensive option but is the gold standard for high, long-term performance. Would improve positional accuracy. Does away with the regulator for timing, but the canonical swan's-neck could be kept as an adjustment for beat (Lange does this for its free-sprung movements). The overcoil adds something to the balance assembly height (1 mm?) so I don't know how much re-design would be needed.
Okay, now what don't I care about?
- Tourbillons or other exotic complications: never saw the point, and I prefer simplicity over needless complexity (obviously an opinion here).
- Larger watches than the current lineup (42 mm): they're already plenty big for me
- A chronograph: I wouldn't dismiss one out of hand, but I don't own any and they aren't high on my list.
Well, that's it. Anyone else care to jump in with a letter to Santa/Dirk?
Tom
In no particular order, I'd love to see:
- an upgraded buckle: not a new idea, but I have to agree with many on this forum (and elsewhere) who point out that the quality of the buckle and the engraving doesn't keep up with the watch and strap. How about a nice chunk of metal for a change?
- the engraved dial offered in more models: right now, I think it's only for the Regulator and the Gorch Fock. Since this is an in-house production, and arguably is truer to the marine chronometer history (which had engraved metal dials for durability) I'd love to see them offered for the 99.x series.
- Gorch Fock movement offered in a 99-sized case with standard dial: the PR at 12 and the subseconds at 6 is a great layout, one I like better than the 99.2. Honestly, though, I don't expect this to be offered until the GF LE is sold out and finished.
- a movement with longer PR: as a daily winder, the 99s are great, but a 7-day movement + PR would be very cool. I've seen watches with PRs of 3 or 4 days, but I'm not so sure about this. Between the current 44hr and 1 week you gain a flatter power curve for longer, but remembering to wind every 3 or 4 days is not natural. I suppose you could use the PR indicator, though....
- chronometer performance and certification (COSC or German DIN): I don't know how hard it would be to adjust an 18000 vph movement to perform this well, and I certainly would expect it to cost more, but I think this would be a very desirable option for any in the lineup. I'm sounding like a broken record, but marine chronometer legacy again. I know that many owners might argue that they are already seeing chronometer performance from their watches, and I believe them, but to me this is not the same as setting, and delivering, chronometer performance as a specific goal.
- free-sprung balance with Breguet overcoil hairspring: somewhat related to the wish above for top-notch performance, this would be an expensive option but is the gold standard for high, long-term performance. Would improve positional accuracy. Does away with the regulator for timing, but the canonical swan's-neck could be kept as an adjustment for beat (Lange does this for its free-sprung movements). The overcoil adds something to the balance assembly height (1 mm?) so I don't know how much re-design would be needed.
Okay, now what don't I care about?
- Tourbillons or other exotic complications: never saw the point, and I prefer simplicity over needless complexity (obviously an opinion here).
- Larger watches than the current lineup (42 mm): they're already plenty big for me
- A chronograph: I wouldn't dismiss one out of hand, but I don't own any and they aren't high on my list.
Well, that's it. Anyone else care to jump in with a letter to Santa/Dirk?
Tom
