D. Dornblüth & Sohn
The Watch: The D. Dornblüth & Sohn 99.1 represents independent German watchmaking at its most pure and traditional. D.Dornblüth & Sohn's watchmaking workshop was established in 1999 by Dieter Dornblüth and his son, Dirk. In 2002 the atelier released Model 99.2, its first watch based on a design Dieter had originally sketched out in 1959, which was inspired by a customer's difficult-to-repair pocket watch to which he had grown quite attached. The small brand is now known for fine German watchmaking in the traditional handmade manner.
This 2024 example features a sterling silver matte black lacquer dial with lumed Arabic markers mirroring the refined aesthetic of historical deck watches. The steel case measures in at 40mm and 10mm in height, with a 1.6mm sapphire anti-reflective crystal on top. The oversized small seconds display at 6 o'clock gives the dial exceptional balance and legibility. The hands are steel, hand-polished and thermally blued—a painstaking process done over an open flame.
Manufacturing a watch at D.Dornblüth & Sohn with only nine employees diverges from manufacturing in German watch centers. The watchmakers make all the dials, hands, and almost all of the movement parts in this workshop. The calibre 99.1 is based on an ETA 6498, but Dornblüth throws most of it away. All that remains is the core structure of the original calibre, with everything else fashioned with traditional tools within the four walls of the workshop.
The movement features a roségold plated three-quarter plate with hand-engraving of manufactory name and serial number, Geneva stripe finish, double sunburst finish on the crown wheels, and 50 hours of power reserve. The sapphire exhibition caseback reveals the stunning hand-finished movement with its swan-neck fine regulator—a hallmark of German haute horlogerie.
Condition: Excellent condition throughout. Runs well and keeps accurate time.
Includes: Full set (box, papers, warranty cards) plus 2 additional straps.
