Here is the D. Dornbluth & Sohn Mondphase with matte black ceramic dial, lumed hands and indices, and steel 40 mm case. The moonphase disc is mother of pearl and aventurine and there is a counting indicator for precise setting of the moonphase. Outside of the company's press releases this may be the first user report of the watch. The movement number is "6". I ordered the watch in April and it arrived yesterday.
The box is a beautiful solid wood affair no bigger or smaller than it needs to be. How refreshing. It contains the watch and a pusher adjuster + strap changing tool.
![15453582]( "15453582")
![15453584]( "15453584")
![15453616]( "15453616")
![15453585]( "15453585")
The watch was not as expected in many ways. Indeed, it is far better than expected, and there was a lot of expectation built up since April. The dial is sumptuously superb. The whole of the watch positively reeks of quality. I've owned and seen many a fine watch in my years of collecting but this piece is special. The combination of Teutonic design, luxury and practical appointments, fine finishing, attention to detail, and outstanding build quality is unmatched. The next step up is the likes of Lange & Sohne and Lang & Heyne and this watch is shockingly close to these.
![15453602]( "15453602")
Legibility is extreme day or night (see lume shot below!) and the richness and layers of the dial are mind blowing. The subdials are separate pieces affixed on the underside giving off a crisp and precise appearance. Luxury is about getting more than you need, more than is necessary. This watch embodies that. Note the power reserve subdial indicates hours since being wound like a deck clock. Traditional, useful, and more than is necessary.
![15453622]( "15453622")
The movement is incredibly finished. One rarely finds such finishing on movements at this price. Real abrasive wheel Cotes de Geneve, solarization (snailing), free-hand engraving, anglage, thermally blued screws, polished screws, jewels set in golden chaton, large and small perlage, and black polishing. Even the unseen parts are decorated. Sounds more like a watch from the Holy Trinity and unlike many of those pieces this all handmade.
![15453636]( "15453636")
![15453645]( "15453645")
The case is wonderfully proportioned being no wider or thicker (only a shade over 10 mm) than needed. The lugs are black polished on the tops and taper elegantly to the strap. The midcase is very finely brushed to contrast the polished bezel and lug tops. Unexpectedly, the crown is elaborately branded in relief. There is a pusher adjuster at 4 o'clock for the moonphase.
![15453647]( "15453647")
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The strap is a moderately stiff medium rectangular grain alligator with folded edges and a branded pin buckle. It's a comfortable strap well matched to the dial. There is no need to change this for reasons of quality.
![15453652]( "15453652")
![15453653]( "15453653")
As mentioned, the watch is lumed, and impressively so. The glow is strong, even, and long lasting.
![15453654]( "15453654")
![15453667]( "15453667")
I highly recommend this watch or any D. Dornbluth & Sohn highly. Unless you are accustomed to rocking higher end Lange, Kari Voutilainen, micro artist studio Credor, and/or Phillipe Doufour watches I cannot imagine you being disappointed in this watch. Even then, you may wonder why you paid so much more for those watches. Okay, maybe not but this watch does represent incredible value.
The box is a beautiful solid wood affair no bigger or smaller than it needs to be. How refreshing. It contains the watch and a pusher adjuster + strap changing tool.
The watch was not as expected in many ways. Indeed, it is far better than expected, and there was a lot of expectation built up since April. The dial is sumptuously superb. The whole of the watch positively reeks of quality. I've owned and seen many a fine watch in my years of collecting but this piece is special. The combination of Teutonic design, luxury and practical appointments, fine finishing, attention to detail, and outstanding build quality is unmatched. The next step up is the likes of Lange & Sohne and Lang & Heyne and this watch is shockingly close to these.
Legibility is extreme day or night (see lume shot below!) and the richness and layers of the dial are mind blowing. The subdials are separate pieces affixed on the underside giving off a crisp and precise appearance. Luxury is about getting more than you need, more than is necessary. This watch embodies that. Note the power reserve subdial indicates hours since being wound like a deck clock. Traditional, useful, and more than is necessary.
The movement is incredibly finished. One rarely finds such finishing on movements at this price. Real abrasive wheel Cotes de Geneve, solarization (snailing), free-hand engraving, anglage, thermally blued screws, polished screws, jewels set in golden chaton, large and small perlage, and black polishing. Even the unseen parts are decorated. Sounds more like a watch from the Holy Trinity and unlike many of those pieces this all handmade.
The case is wonderfully proportioned being no wider or thicker (only a shade over 10 mm) than needed. The lugs are black polished on the tops and taper elegantly to the strap. The midcase is very finely brushed to contrast the polished bezel and lug tops. Unexpectedly, the crown is elaborately branded in relief. There is a pusher adjuster at 4 o'clock for the moonphase.
The strap is a moderately stiff medium rectangular grain alligator with folded edges and a branded pin buckle. It's a comfortable strap well matched to the dial. There is no need to change this for reasons of quality.
I highly recommend this watch or any D. Dornbluth & Sohn highly. Unless you are accustomed to rocking higher end Lange, Kari Voutilainen, micro artist studio Credor, and/or Phillipe Doufour watches I cannot imagine you being disappointed in this watch. Even then, you may wonder why you paid so much more for those watches. Okay, maybe not but this watch does represent incredible value.
