Prepare for a timepiece that's both a beauty and a beast! SJX Watches, a renowned watch media platform, has teamed up with the Austrian watchmaking powerhouse Habring² to create not one, but two extraordinary watches: the Chrono-Felix Medicus. This collaboration is a watch enthusiast's dream come true, blending the expertise of these two giants with a unique twist.
The inspiration behind this creation is a fascinating tale. Imagine a group of doctors, including the proud owner of the first Habring² x SJX edition, seeking a timepiece that embodies the essence of vintage medical watches. They approached SJX and the Habrings with a vision: to craft a watch featuring pulsation and respiration scales, reminiscent of the classic multi-scale chronographs of yesteryear. And thus, the Chrono-Felix Medicus was born.
The watches are based on the beloved Chrono-Felix, a compact monopusher chronograph. But these new editions are far from ordinary. The 38.5mm case has been meticulously redesigned with a flat, single-step bezel and a box-shaped sapphire crystal, giving it a vintage charm reminiscent of the 1940s chronographs. With a total thickness of 11.2mm, it's a slim beauty. And let's not forget the sapphire caseback, a single chronograph pusher at 2 o'clock, and 30-meter water resistance.
But the real magic lies in the dial. It pays homage to the Habring² Shellman monopusher while carving its own path. SJX and Richard Habring, the brand's founder, crafted a design that respects tradition yet breaks new ground. The dial features Breguet numerals and dot hour markers, accompanied by polished leaf-shaped hands and a seconds hand with an openworked counterweight. But here's the twist: a multi-scale layout. A recessed and snailed flange with a pulsometer scale surrounds the dial, followed by a respiration scale from 5 to 25. At the center, a snailed tachymeter scale adds a touch of technical flair.
And this is where it gets controversial. Unlike most watches based on the A11C calibre, the Chrono-Felix Medicus boasts a single chronograph sub-dial, a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock. This unique configuration is a first for Habring², setting it apart from its two-register Chrono-Felix sibling.
SJX didn't stop at one watch; they created a dynamic duo. The first edition is a classic beauty with a brushed steel case, blue leather strap, silver dial, blued hands, and applied markers. It's the epitome of elegance and vintage charm. But the second edition is a bold statement. Its sandblasted steel case echoes the vintage chrome-plated watch cases of the past. Paired with a grey dial and rose gold-plated accents, it's a fusion of retro inspiration, modern techniques, and technical sophistication. Which one would you choose?
Underneath the sapphire crystal beats the heart of the watch: the in-house Habring² A11C-H0 calibre. This hand-wound monopusher chronograph is a masterpiece, developed by Richard Habring based on the Valjoux 7750 architecture. It's an upgrade to the iconic movement, with in-house and independent supplier parts, and mechanical enhancements for improved performance and service. Running at 4Hz, it offers a 48-hour power reserve and is adorned with polished edges, perlage, and steel chronograph components finished by the skilled watchmaker Pöhlmann-Bresan.
The Habring² x SJX Chrono-Felix Medicus will be produced in limited quantities of 25 pieces per style. Available directly from SJX Watches and Shellman in Tokyo, deliveries are set for May to July 2026. Each watch is priced at EUR 7,750 (excluding taxes), and a 40% deposit is required upon ordering. But there's a heartwarming twist: EUR 700 from each watch sold will be donated to children's medical charities in Singapore and Austria, with SJX Watches and Habring² each contributing EUR 350. Now that's a timepiece with a purpose!
So, what do you think of this collaboration? Are you drawn to the classic elegance of the first edition or the bold statement of the second? And what's your take on the unique single sub-dial configuration? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's keep the conversation ticking!
