During lockdown, like many, I have had lots of time to think. Lots of time to be appreciative . The garden has been a source of much joy, the movement of the trees in the wind, the sun, food at dinner time. Laughter. And last week, I wondered “why the hell haven’t I started an interview series on the website?”. So here we are, and with two of my favourite people, Richard and Maria Habring from Habring2. Hope you enjoy:
Guys, could you tell me a little about the start of the business, did you always know you wanted to start something of your own or was there a moment that triggered it?
Well, there was this concept we started to work on right after we met in 2001. A concept for maximized customer satisfaction in watch business, strongly influenced by Maria’s non-watchmaking approach as former travel agent. The concept was great but after presenting it to some watch brands officials it turned out that the watch business was not interested in such simple issue. But of course, they used excuses to get it from their tables, such like “I can’t work with my wife!”
What did you want to achieve by starting?
To prove that we could make it work, and furthermore has a lot of potential. Looking back to over 15 years now including some economic stress tests like recent pandemic it makes us happy that we did not listen to those brand officials in 2001.
What were the unique selling points in your minds when you started?
The direct communication between customers and the makers. Couples (consider the wife who usually has the last word on a purchase!) appreciate it very much to speak to other couples. Watch production is usually a very male, sometime testosterone smelly business, adding a female front role opens doors but do not tell the industry responsible please! 😉
What was the one watch that inspired you both before starting, a watch from another maker?
Well, actually watches Richard fell in love with when working in Switzerland and Germany: The Portugieser and the Tangente. Very classic, timeless watches which still looking fresh today.
Which is your favourite from your own line up and why?
Maria’s love is with Erwin named after her father after he passed away. Erwin is our basic Felix (Richard’s choice) with dead beat second so he became a little chubbier, like gentlemen in their 70’s.
How does the business model work for you guys? Was the commercial side something you had to work on or did it come naturally?
We are in the lucky situation that we combine both in a couple. The technical part as well as the commercial with experience from former jobs in both fields. We both grew up (in Austria and GDR) facing hard work to be the regular way to go. In German we call it: “baking small breads”. We don’t trust in marketing bubbles and a lot of noise and don’t need to include in our lifestyle what is considered luxury. We grow and share our own vegetables rather than having dinner in gourmet restaurants. Simplicity has quality!
What are you most proud of so far?
There are quite a few things, but no one is particularly to mention. We are happy that we are still around while quite a few independent founders who started at the same time are not with their brands around. We are happy still being able to be ourselves and do what we like with whom we like. And we are happy that the recent stress-test (Covid-19) showed that our business model - though being small and sometimes amusing business pro’s – turned out quite crisis resistant.
Would you be able to give us a little teaser of which model is next to come...
One of our oldest kids and signature product, the Foudroyante, lost weight after ten years and so shrinked in it’s younger brother Felix suit: Foudroyante-Felix in 38,5mm diameter.
For more info on Habring.