D.DORNBLÜTH & SOHN 04.0 (RG)                                                                                    August 2008

This is an iconic wristwatch, replete with the elements of design and manufacture that exemplify D.Dornblüth & Sohn.  The series 04.0 was a limited edition of only 75 pieces (15 in rose gold and 60 in stainless steel).  This series has been nicknamed the “Midi” as its 38 mm case size falls between an older, 33 mm limited edition (called the “Mini”) and the 42 mm current line of 99.x models.

The dial of this unique rose gold-cased version is configured in the classic “sterling silver with the grained, silky matte finish surface of historical deck watches” with raised, polished silver hour numerals and printed black seconds numerals and printed black “railroad” markers throughout.  The hand-polished and heat-blued steel hands are a signature element of D.Dornblüth & Sohn.  See my 04.0 (ST) Review for a very different look.

The Midi’s case specifications are:  38 mm diameter;  10.9 mm height;  1.6 mm sapphire glass on top, slightly domed and anti-reflected inside;  screwed sapphire glass base;  oversized crown (I’ve had the crown from the 99.x models installed; the original is pictured below) with embossed manufactory name.  It is noticeably more compact and solid (or dense) feeling than my 99.3, obviously due in large part to both its dimensions and rose gold construction (heavier than my 99.3’s stainless steel).   It fits quite comfortably on my 210 mm wrist.

The winding is much more "creamy" than the 99.3, but the standard specification crown proved somewhat difficult for my big fingers to manipulate.

This 04.0 Midi is running quite accurately.  It is an absolute pleasure to wear.  I consider it a prime example of the what I perceive to be the ethos of D.Dornblüth & Sohn:  traditional, hand-crafted German watchmaking at its finest.  The richness of this piece is not glaringly apparent from afar, rather it is in great abundance upon close inspection.

The 04.0 caliber is based upon a small cache of antique movement parts produced in Germany by GUB.  Largely reworked and augmented with other parts (some manufactured in-house) by D.Dornblüth & Sohn, it bears these attributes:  29.4 mm diameter;  3.8 mm height;  18 rubies;  power reserve 36 hours (+/- 5%);  18,000 semi-oscillations per hour;  rose gold three-quarter plate with yellow gold hand-graving of manufactory name and serial number;  Geneva stripe finish;  retracing ratchet;  double sunburst finish on the crown wheels; flat polished, heat-blued screws with beveled edges;  Glucydur screw balance with Nivarox 1 spring;  swan-neck fine adjustment on the hand-engraved balance cock.  This 04.0 includes a seconds stop , or “hacking” mechanism as well.

My amateur photography fails to capture the explosive way the back of this wristwatch brilliantly glistens in the light!