D.Dornblüth & Sohn: Have It Your Way!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2024
- Just like Burger King's slogan used to remind us, this German independent offers the almost unique opportunity to create your own bespoke piece starting at under USD5,000. That's unbelievable value and unlike Burger King, it's a watchmaking secret that only a selected few know about.
TIMESTAMPS BELOW:
00:00 Intro
00:48 Brand story
04:28 The positive
09:02 The neutral
13:32 The areas for development
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I love the uniqueness of my Regulator with the silver dial. Sometimes I take off to simply admire the artwork of the movement. Fantastic watch.
I own a Cal., 99.1M and it's such a gorgeous time piece. One of the best decorated movement you'll find. In some ways I prefer it over say, a Patak, simply because of no use of CNC, everything hand done. It's incredible time piece. Slowly planning on Cal 99.6M. 😁Lot more expensive watches out there but I find they do not give me the special feeling I get wearing a D&S time piece. It's such a sleeper... true enthusiast watch.
Would you say it's COSC accurate?
I own one as well.. yes
I have been looking at Dornbluth for some time. I requested and promptly received their catalogue and price list. I very much like the concept of a small shop with high standards making hand crafted watches. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet but it’s only a matter of time.
I wear a Q-2010 as my daily watch. The precision is the same every day. I have the black gloss ceramic dial. Wonderful craftsmanship. I ordered mine with the center seconds, and it took 8 months to receive. Also, I received it with a black leather strap.
Oh lucky you, that must be one special piece especially with the Quintus. 8 months is not "too" bad, I've heard from several other people recently that they now quote 1 year wait for delivery!
12:31 that 99.3 looks very cool and a custom colour.
So the waiting time for a handmade customer configuration is shorter that the waiting time for a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 😉
Hahaha, yes you could say that, but you could always get an OP right away IF you're willing to pay the premium... I could get all available colors of the new OP within 15 mins of my home at grey dealers but at what price... double retail!!
@@TOKKANTE it’s crazy and the same here in Maastricht. Some colours even at triple retail. I have a 41 turquoise for my wife on order at the AD at list but they already told me it could take up to over a year. We’ll just wait until the phone rings 😁
It's very sad that it gets to this for a supposedly entry-level piece in their catalog.
@@TOKKANTE I have stopped buying Swiss.. its German all the way... I am not going to pay for humoungus celebrity endorsement fees anymore. Thanks to you and Watch finder...
My piece unique arrived last week, after 20 months. Well worth the wait, as it's stunning.
Great video on a lovely watch with real handmade traditional watchmaking at its core - will look out for it
Thanks for watching! Yes this is for those who actually care about watchmaking and not just brand or status...
Thanks for the video. Loved your insights on the dials.
I saw them put out a few more enamel dials lately, even with the engraved minute track and hour markers, wonder how they do that without cracking... Now when will they come up with a new case design please?!!
Thanks Ben a great video so I’m motivated to look deeper. It’s guys like you that make guys like me move to action & perhaps make guys like them (Darnbluth) happy.
Hahaha, and make guys like them take your money thanks to guys like me! Hmmm.. I should ask for a referral fee! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for a very thorough and detailed video. It's really helpful. Just a bit of friendly advice, though (and you may have noticed and fixed this in later videos already): The out-of-focus close-up shots in the video are a problem. I'm pointing this out because I think this may be your second video where I noticed the same problem. The image often gets so blurry as to almost become useless. Maybe a lens upgrade for closer focusing capability, or just more awareness of the minimum focusing distance as you film the shot so that you stay within the focusable range. It's much better to see a smaller and sharper image of the watch than seeing a larger but blurry image.
Thanks for pointing this out, yes, it's something I unfortunately noticed only after the fact and I did not have any other footage. So I investigated the issue and it's because I'm using an iPhone 12 Pro Max and the minimum focusing distance is apparently worse than the iPhone 11 due to a bigger sensor and f/stop. I couldn't figure out why this thing didn't focus!!! I was told the minimum focusing distance is 17cm and so now I try to film from a bigger distance and zoom in instead. I'm not a filmmaker by any means so these things were not obvious to me... I thought of just upgrading the whole camera gear and use "real" equipment but my channel is so small that I'm not sure it's worth it.. yet.
I can feel your enthusiasm! Great to see.
Thanks! Yes, maybe not many people get it, but those who do really feel it's something special.
@@TOKKANTE I most certainly do 'get it'!
Thanks for the video, I'll be looking at their website and hope to purchase.
As for Rolex? (I own two vintage models....) with reportedly 800k or so made every year....hardly any exclusivity at the lower price points, and leaving any watch flipping aside, not really great value for money!
Good info. The WFndr put it on my radar and this makes for a really nice follow-on. Thanks
I'll probably be ordering one next year. clasp option, definitely.
Enamel would be compelling, but ceramic color options are tempting.
I'd still be tempted to go with the 42. What's your wrist size?
Ordered a CW Bel Canto about 6mo ago and try to limit to one a year
They have a great story and their design is to my liking. You are right in this would be a great "special" piece to have and love. Nice change from Rolex and Omega.
Yes I think that would make a good candidate for an accessible heirloom piece you could pass on (for those of us who can't take care of a Patek for the next generation). not something to flip like a Rolex, something special that you helped design.
Thanks Lot For These Vital Information & Keep-It-Up........
Thanks for watching!
@@TOKKANTE My Pleasure.....
@@TOKKANTE My Pleasure.....
Nice video, thank you for sharing 👍
And thanks for watching it! It's a very niche brand that doesn't attract too many views!
Ben, Thanks for this video. I too watched the Watchfinder video on D. DORNBLÜTH & SOHN, and was very enamored with this brand. Cheers, Curtis
Yes, he really has a way with storytelling...
The WF and Co. video turned me onto this brand, and I followed up with yours, and subscribed.
I am about order one. This was a brilliant watch. Thanks
Thanks for watching it! Are you customizing it? I heard the wait time is now 1 year....
@@TOKKANTE 14 months. Yes, i am customising
Just to inform you. Ceramic (like the one used in this dial) in fact is not a cheaper material to make over grand fue enamel. In fact if this were true you would not find enamel pins at the Disney store by the hundreds if that were true. Enamel is a ceramic. ….Lacquer on the other hand which I believe you are mistaking ceramic for is actually the more cost effective replica of enamels/ceramics and is not considered a ceramic. The reason ceramics like the one used on these watches would be used over traditional grand feu enamel is a not because cost savings but because of the material properties and lack of brittleness as well as the ability to produced different colors and finishes. But in fact the same difficulties of manufacturing exist in fact they are the essentially the same material with a few added ingredients with the same manufacturing process produced in the same way.
ALSO there cases are not stamped but if fact milled and made using a lathe in the old fashioned way. So while they do not have welded lugs there is still considerable time that is required to produced these cases.
I hate to point this out but it’s ignorance like the kind you’ve shown in this video that really hurts small brands like this. Your perspectives that you so confidently show by making this video are in fact just wrong and based on your lack of watch making knowledge.
Hello Ben, my D Dornblüth 99.1 arrived today after 13 months. It's truly a work of art. I got mine with black lizard skin. So elegant.. cheers.
Woooo, big congrats! 13 months, it's really right around the 1-year long wait time they quoted. I bet you won't be flipping that one anytime soon after waiting so long!
@@TOKKANTE Hello Ben thank you. 🙏 I can't flip it. My family name in Mandarin was engraved on the face plate. I am absolutely delighted. Jochen Benzinger next 😉
Awesome video!
Thanks for watching it!
wonderful watches. But totally agree with the point that 42mm is a bit large for a dressy watch
I am customizing my piece with D. Dornbluth & Sohn (been customizing for over half a year). I agree with the uniqueness and customization, but there are also many things they are not willing to do, specifically if it does not match their design language (I asked to change the hands to a disc in the design of a globe for the GMT hands, also wondered if I could make it into a Worldtimer by putting +1, +2 or something of the sort). I'm excited for my piece as mine is being made with a Murano Glass with Copper Inclusions.
But my qualms are the same, the size is 42mm, and I am really hoping it'll fit me alright. Regarding the straps, they can source different types of straps for you and they will work with you to also integrate the strap (my father ordered his earlier, and this was his feedback)
Oh wow, you both father and son ordered one? That's really cool, and yours seems to have some serious customization too! I understand that they need to protect their brand image and brand DNA so there are limits to what they'll do, but I didn't know you can take half a year to customize it though!! Thanks for the insight!
@@TOKKANTE not just father and son, my father bought two, highly customized pieces. The Welzeit Regulator and the Mondphase. Interestingly enough, I also wanted the Welzeit Regulator and my brother wanted the Mondphase. So we all ended up with 2 of each. My father did brass and semi transparent ceramic. I can't recall what the other was in. My brother originally wanted to do a brick dial but he settled, I think, for something else and 3 pieces are more finalized and in the process of production. Mine is the final that hasn't been fiy customized yet. Murano Glass has many limitations. They cannot engrave or use Appliqués so I'm trying to find unique ways to show the tracks and hours, hopefully without using only print. I have been able to use metallic print though and silver or gold.
@@jpd7 Wow that's really a family love story with the brand! Incredible! Yeah, I was also thinking about metallic print which would still provide some 3D definition like transferred indices.
Ben once again thank you for your straight up review. A D. DORNBLÜTH & SOHN has just been ordered .. 12 months should go by like a blink of an eye 😉
Oooh, I envy you! Which one did you order?
@@TOKKANTE 99.1 with Deckel GK or G1 pantograph dail. Add a bit of personalization.. I agree with you about having a glossy enamel dail.. so I chose the silver Dail instead. 🙏I am watching you closely 👀 😆 thank you Ben. 😊
Hi o hola… yes i will consider them. I hope i can visit them and see their watches live
Great video. Size is also my issue with them. I'd only want the Quintus but it's expensive.
Oh yes, I feel the same, why is there ALWAYS something that bothers us lol?! That gives me an idea for another video...
@@TOKKANTE All the best! I've only found your channel and I like that you break down positives, neutrals and, most importantly, areas of improvement. Most other reviewers just talk about positives.
@@AA-db9cb Other viewers also think like that but I'm sure some brands don't see it the same way! Dornbluth and Hanhart still clicked "like" on my IG posts though!
so cool & wow
Give them a follow on IG, you'll see all these very creative customizations they do for their customers. Gives you ideas!
Brand, brand, brand, brand, brand, brand, brand. You've really understood watchmaking.,
I adore their brand story - and to think you can a largely hand made watch for seamaster money is absolutely astounding - I’ve been debating getting one of their watches or going for a Glashutte Original seventies panorama date
The market is so small for these types of watches, only real watch connoisseurs care for them. At the end of the day, people usually go with what's safe and so they would pick the Seamaster because it's a known quantity. One day I want to order a fully custom one from them for some special milestone, something I wouldn't sell. I love GO too, will make a video on why I think they're the best value "affordable" high horology brand out there soon... people don't see it! Love the Seventies in non-chromo (thinner), so much personality and very good value pre-owned. Not a RO or Nautilus wanna-be.
@@TOKKANTE nothing wrong with Omega per se as I love the aqua terra and the planet ocean - but in terms of haute horologie, there are many brands out there that don’t get the same kind of love that the usual suspects enjoy - Girard Peregaux, Piaget, Glashutte, Grand Seiko, and even Zenith are all brands that I would love to have in my collection at some point
@@dnlmoretti Yes, amen to that but that means our collections would only be depreciating in value and many people would dismiss them just based on that. I'd love at least one piece of each of these!
@@TOKKANTE yea but for the investment side of things there’s real estate 😂 watches are for fun and passion - Rolexes are great but I refuse to pay the market premium when I can get a much much better watch for the money
Merci beaucoup l'Ami !
Wonderfully unique, modern watch smiths yet, Old School Watch Crafters...for me it seems, here to fore having tragically become extinct. Excellent review again, Ben.
I follow them on IG and some customers are ordering really quite unique customized pieces, so rare to be able to do this without reaching the VVVIP status at a bigger brand.
Thanks for the excellent video. Do I order directly off their website? I am from the US and there is an authorized dealer but they order them pre-configured. Also, is there any water resistance at all? I know it’s a dress watch but do I have to worry about it getting wet while washing hands? Thanks again😃❗️
Edit: it would be nice if they could do shorter lugs for a shorter lug to lug distance. This makes the large sizes more wearable.
I have read in several places that although they do have an AD in the US, they are also happy to work directly with their customers for customized pieces. I have seen reviews of owners on WatchUSeek I think who have done just that, so you should definitely try to email them. Some take months and months to come to a final design and in that case, I think it's better to work with them directly (I know I would).
I don't think they have water resistance beyond the typical 30m which is expected for traditional dress watches. This should be "splash resistant" and enough to wash your hands if you only splash it with water, but don't run your wrist under the faucet though! Same as you would worry with a Patek Calatrava...
I agree that a new case or redesigned lugs would be most welcome. I would like their smaller 40mm case with the in--house Quintus movement but that's immediately a lot more expensive!
@@TOKKANTE 👍🏼
Hi I was wondering where you got that design drawing of the A. lange & Sohne minute repeater behind you from ?
Easy, from the ALS website! You can find it on that specific model page, then with a bit of image editing, coloring and sharpening and voila!
@@TOKKANTE now why didn't I think of that ! 🤔 I'm just going to print it off and have them all over my house now ! Ha ha ha ! 😆
@@geoffsullivan4063 Or you could have bought the original sketch of the AP Royal Oak by Gerald Genta but too bad AP just bought that at auction for like USD500k?!! You just missed it!
@@TOKKANTE dam it !
Like a few others, the size is an issue for me. My yellow gold, Rolex Day-Date is 36mm in diameter and is the perfect size for my small wrist. I love what Dornbluth does in their shop and truly admire the craftmanship that goes into making their watches, but their watches would simply be too clunky for me. I just know I would be banging it into things and worry about dinging it.
Yeah, a big limitation of course is the large size of the base movement that they use. They do have 38mm cases which might work much better for you but then you need to make the jump to their in-house Quintus and it gets a lot more expensive, which defeats a little bit the "value proposition" that they offer at the entry level.
Talking hand guy at watchfinder X) lol. Their 38.5 regulator is on my wishlist. Gotta buy from watchbuys in the US and it's about 1 year wait after you pay. =[
You know he's writing a column for Revolution magazine now under the byline "By Mr Talking Hands" ?! I read a review from someone on WatchUSeek who ordered the moonphase via watchbuys but he mentioned it may still be possible to order directly from Dornblüth as well even when ordering from the US.
I am considering one. I’m buying an habring2 first then.inwant one of these…
Literally, your video knocked me out. Excellent content excellent topic, very good technical detailing . Your only problem in this world of low average politically correctness is that you did not show naked women and panties for high rating. Like the tiger tanks, technically overengineered. Bravo
I agree regarding the case shape. A design similar to the A Lange & Söhne Datagraph for example. They dont have to copy ALS but this style would be preferable to me. Its probably good they dont do this style of case because its saving me a lot of money.
Hahaha, yes, I hear you! Also agree an ALS-style case would be more German somehow because the case they use is quite generic.
Hello again, I think ceramic is good because they can apply numerals on them! I think Dornblueth can do enamel upon special demand, I cannot 100% confirm this.
Yes I have contacted them, they do enamel now but only white for the moment. I was impressed that they seem to even do the engraved numerals on the enamel dial. Now how do they manage that? Because you'd expect enamel to crack if they engrave it. I saw an engraved enamel dial on their Instagram. I'm not sure whether they have come up with a formula to make it harder or crack-proof or what...
@@TOKKANTE I never knew that, thanks for the info, they are really great.
I do hope I get the 2010 soon, let us know what you get, I honestly think the Q2010 will be better for you as the 38mm is still large. I saw the 40mm on you, I really would not recommend it, better to save up a little bit more as I plan on doing
May I ask what your wrist size is?
6.75" or 17cm
How are you Tokkante, to be honest, I have had some money saved up for a while and I will not let it go because i want a Q2010 watch. He was only doing 42mm in house but went to 40mm;
You are very correct, I have a 7.5 inch wrist and 40mm is just slightly too big for even someone with my wrist size, I think they have to produce a simpler calibre that looks like the unitas but is not the unitas because not everyone wants a complex looking calibre, something simple and the Q2016 for women is too small to put in a 38mm case, I know it is not easy but they need a solution. If they totally get rid of the 40mm, they will also lose customers. I will try and talk to them some day, you can also tell them. I think they should produce a smaller version of the unitas but make it in-house, not sure how hard it would be for them and what the cost would be
Yeah that's the issue, the cost would probably be ENORMOUS for a small operation like Dornbluth, especially after already investing in the 2010. The Unitas are rather cheap movement in comparison (they've been around forever) and they add value with the finishing but they're stuck with their huge size. I wonder if they could just switch to a different 3rd party movement completely, but there are many factors to consider e.g. availability, reliability, ease of modification, and all the modules they have developed that go on top, etc.
@@TOKKANTE Hi there Ben ,hope you are well today? You are right, however, a third party movement may be difficult because of finding the right diameter, the only movement that is similar to the 6497 is the Peseux, way too small. May be he can get a supplier to build one as many boutique brands are getting manfacturers to do so, like Ming watch. It will still be great as Dornbluth will only need the drive train.
Another watch maker that I really like at the moment is Torsti Laine in Lelocle, check out his model called the 1817
Andrew Morgan the ex ‘Watchfinder’ guy is THE GUY to listen to on any horological point , historical , current , 😂or innovation . Andrew Morgan Watch ‘AMW’ . Great guy . L gooru
The "h" at the end is silent; it's not an English "th".
Oh sorry, yeah I can't pretend I speak German even though I love German watchmaking... so it is in fact pronounced Dornblut?! I do not have any German friends here in HK but I think I'm gonna have to learn some basics...
@@TOKKANTE Yes, simple t-sound at the end and everything is fine and dandy.