This Gorgeous Mechanical Dress Watch Revives an Obscure Measure of Mechanical Precision

Monochrome and Habring make one for true horology nerds.

Close-up of a wristwatch with a black dial, silver Roman numerals, and a brown leather strap on a wooden surface.

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Published December 18, 2025

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If you’ve never heard of a “deadbeat seconds” complication, that’s likely because it has been antiquated since Seiko introduced the quartz movement in 1969.

But like so many aspects of watch culture, just because it doesn’t need to exist, doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for it. Ironically, the complication, which causes a mechanical watch to beat once a second like the simplest quartz movements, requires an impressive feat of horological engineers.

Silver wristwatch with black dial, Roman numerals, and brown leather strap on a wooden surface. — The Seconde Morte, which means “dead seconds” in French, has a “deadbeat seconds” complication.

“Deadbeat seconds” watches have been around since the 1950s, notably introduced by Rolex with a flop that was discontinued after five years. It wasn’t until recent decades that watch fandom reached a stage where such a niche feature had an audience.

Up-market brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre and A. Lange & Söhne appeal to the deep-pocketed diehards who both understand the significance of a jumping seconds hand on a mechanical watch and get a thrill from the misconception it evokes. It’s the ultimate IYKYK watch flex.

Which is why the obscure complication is a perfect fit for Monochrome’s fourth edition in its continuing Souscription series, sold exclusively through its website. This time, the well-respected watch editorial delivered a truly deep-cut design for its most dedicated readers.

Silver wristwatch with black dial, Roman numerals, and tan leather strap worn on a wrist. — The Seconde Morte is built on Habring’s Erwin collection, topped with a completely new dial.

The Montre de Souscription 4 Seconde Morte is produced by and designed in collaboration with the independent Austrian watchmaker Habring. It is based on the brand’s fan-favorite Erwin jumping seconds collection and is powered by the in-house caliber A11S hand-wound movement.

Deadbeat stunner

Monochrome and Habring recruited a talented young designer named Pietro Pilla, who coincidentally writes for fellow watch publication Time & Tide, to assist with the dial for the Seconde Morte. Starting with prototypes Pilla posted online, the founders of Monochrome and Habring worked through every element of the dial.

Close-up of a Habring² wristwatch with a black dial, silver Roman numerals, and silver hands showing 10:09:38. — Pietro Pilla, an experienced watch writer and talented designer, designed the Seconde Morte dial.

The inspiration for the dial’s appearance came from the “deadbeat seconds” clocks of the 1800s and early 1900s, which observatories and watchmakers used for their superior accuracy. It features an intricately marked railroad seconds track in a high-contrast silvery white on a glossy black lacquered dial.

The custom-designed Roman numeral and diamond-shaped hour markers are applied to add a touch of depth. Polished steel leaf hands are another nod to the bygone era of mechanical timekeeping.

Wristwatch with black dial, silver case, Roman numerals, and brown leather strap worn on a wrist. — A brushed steel case with a tiered bezel is a nod to the utilitarian history of “deadbeat seconds” clocks.

A coarsely brushed finish on the 38mm steel case, along with a tiered bezel, was chosen as a nod to the utilitarian history of “deadbeat seconds” movements. The watch comes on a quick-release, burnished brown nubuck leather strap, featuring Monochrome’s signature light blue on the lining, and a steel pin buckle.

Eight for one

Habring designed its A11 movement as the foundation for its fully independent operation. Most of the components are machined in-house, and the remaining are sourced from local manufacturers in Switzerland and Germany.

The caliber A11S features the “deadbeat seconds” module, comprised of seven additional pieces attached to the bridge that convert the 4Hz energy released by the hand-wound movement into a single beat each second.

Close-up of the back of a Monochrome X Habring² wristwatch showing the intricate mechanical movement and engravings on the metal case. — The “deadbeat seconds” module on the caliber A11S movement is displayed through an exhibition caseback.

In short, the eight pulses released each second, which would typically move the seconds hand eight times, slowly engage a lever that allows a central gear to move once per second. This fascinating mechanism, visible at the center of the movement above, is showcased through a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback.

Availability and price

Monochrome’s ongoing Souscription collection is modeled after a system developed by Breguet 200 years ago to make watches more affordable. It is modernized for convenience, but you make a down payment to secure a watch and then pay the balance when it is available.

Only 33 pieces of the Montre de Souscription 4 Seconde Morte will be produced, and reservations are now open. A non-refundable deposit of €2,000 (~$2,391) is required, and the total cost is €6,000 (~$7,033) before taxes and duties.

As I said, this one is for hardcore horology fans.

Round stainless steel wristwatch with black dial, silver Roman numerals, and brown leather strap on a wooden surface.

Monochrome Montre de Souscription Seconde Morte

Specs

Case Size	38mm
Movement	Habing caliber A11S hand-wound
Water Resistance	30m

$7,033 at Monochrome

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.

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