D. Dornblüth Ladies 2016.1

The year was 1959. The place was Chemnitz, or as it was then called: Karl Marx Stadt in the former DDR. Watchmaker Dieter Dornblüth designed his very own movement, based on inspiration provided by a silver pocket watch he had serviced for a client. He had only just started building his design when he was called to take over a watchmaker’s business in Kalbe and had to abandon his plans for his own movement.

Forward forty years, to 1999. Dieter’s son Dirk had designed his own steel watch, which he presented to his father for his 60th birthday. Based on the Glashütte 60.3 caliber, it was the trigger for father and son to sit down together that same night and start sketching their very own base movement. So many years after Dieter had abandoned his dream, the father/son team launched their cal. 99.2 movement. Dornblüth Manufacture was born.

Today, D. Dornblüth & Sohn is well established as a maker of fine watches. The brand offers a range of in-house movements, visible through glass case backs, in classically designed watches. Many of the timeless Dornblüth designs are reminiscent of naval chronometers with their “spade” hands and rail-road minute tracks.

Based around the 99.2, Dornblüth offers a range of variations. Simplified variants such as the 99.0 and 99.1 feature time only. More complex variants such as the 99.3 add complications such as power reserves and pointer dates. Different sizes and a specific women’s model are available as well.

Due to high demand, Dornblüth decided to create a version specifically aimed at ladies. Of course this does not mean the other models are for men only, but it is nice to have some specifically for women as well, right? The 2016.1 follows the familiar layout of the classical 99.0, scaled down to a subtle 31mm. Available in steel or rose gold, with either a matte sterling silver dial or a choice of light or dark mother of pearl. Depending on the chosen configuration, the hands are either white or heat-blued.

Specifications:
Case: Stainless steel or 18k rose gold, 31mm diameter / 10mm height
Crystal: Sapphire, slightly domed with single-sided anti-reflective coating (inside)
Movement: +/- 38 hours power reserve
Dial: Sterling silver, light or dark mother of pearl