Dornblüth & Sohn - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Dornblüth & Sohn, founded in 1999, is a small German manufacture in Kalbe (Saxony-Anhalt) run by Dieter and Dirk Dornblüth; it builds a limited number of hand-wound, marine-inspired watches each year with a deliberately artisanal approach.

Kalbe roots and the “deck-watch” grammar

The house style centers on silvered brass dials echoing ship instruments, heat-blued hands, an oversized small seconds at 9 o’clock and calm 18,000 vph beats in 40–42 mm cases; the workshop embraces traditional methods (three-quarter plate, hand engraving) and older machinery to keep craft at the forefront. The result is a quiet, functional readout tailored for everyday wear rather than show.

99.x family: Auf/Ab, regulator and moon to map the range

The historic “99” line lays the foundation: central hours/minutes, outsized sub-seconds, an “Auf/Ab” power reserve and variants by complication, all on carefully finished hand-wound bases. The idea is to add functions (reserve, regulator, moon) without abandoning marine-chronometer clarity.

• Dornblüth & Sohn 99.2 — Central hours/minutes, power reserve at 3, large small seconds at 9.
• Dornblüth & Sohn 99.6-M Mondphase — 40 mm; moon phase at 6, light or dark executions.
• Dornblüth & Sohn 99.9 — Distinct segmented power-reserve display; steel/gold variants.
• Dornblüth & Sohn 99.REG — Regulator layout with power reserve.

Quintus & CHR.2022: in-house calibre and flyback

In 2012 the “Quintus” (Q-2010) arrived as the first in-house calibre: twin barrels, 52-hour reserve, 18,000 vph, swan-neck fine adjust and, depending on version, central seconds and/or a distinctive reserve (2010.9, 2010.2, etc.). In 2024, CHR.2022 introduced a hand-wound flyback chronograph with a permanently running central seconds, 30-minute counter, power reserve and a patented movement, limited to 62 pieces as a nod to Dieter’s 1962 beginnings. Together, “Quintus + Flyback” moves the brand beyond three-handers while preserving its readable classicism.

Small runs from Kalbe: pricing, channels and buyers

Annual output remains modest (about 120–180 watches) with sales via direct order and select specialists (WatchBuys in the US, Define Watches in Australia), plus broad finishing options and sizes (38.5/40/42 mm depending on line). Observed public brackets run from roughly US$7,000–8,000 (99.0/99.1/99.ZS) to ~US$14,000 (99.6-M), ~US$15,000–22,000 (Quintus, by function) and ~US$27,000 for the 62-piece CHR.2022.

Conclusion

Dornblüth & Sohn appeals to enthusiasts of honest, hand-regulated mechanics with a ship-chronometer look. Dornblüth & Sohn 99.2 is the daily driver with “Auf/Ab”; Dornblüth & Sohn 99.6-M Mondphase adds lunar poetry in 40 mm; Dornblüth & Sohn Quintus 2010.x brings the in-house engine and singular indications; Dornblüth & Sohn CHR.2022 suits those wanting a rare flyback chronograph. To finalize size, complication and budget, lean on Dialicious customer reviews and real-world availability of limited runs.

(Updated August 2025)