The hawk (Habicht in German) has been characterising the Swarovski Optik brand image for over 70 years. To mark the 75th anniversary of the Tyrolean family business, this connection is being celebrated with a special limited edition of the CL Companion binoculars, named after the bird of prey. The edition of the anniversary model is limited to 1,000 pieces and has been available in selected specialist shops, in the company's own shop in Wattens and online since 5 March 2024.
Habicht binoculars: a long tradition at Swarovski Optik
From the very beginning, the hawk has symbolised the optical precision of Swarovski products. Inspired by the visual acuity of the bird of prey, company founder Wilhelm Swarovski endeavoured to develop binoculars that would enable people to experience nature in clear focus. The name of the company's first series binoculars – Habicht – reflects this. The Habicht is still manufactured in Absam, Austria, today. The Swarovski Optik logo has also featured the bird of prey since 1982.
Stefan Schwarz, CEO of Swarovski Optik, comments on the new glass: "The CL Companion Habicht binoculars are a beautiful tribute to our history. Since the founding of our company, our aim has been to inspire people to love, respect, and preserve nature with our premium products. With the special edition, we are now creating a bridge from our current portfolio back to our
roots."
Anniversary model: Swarovski Optik CL Companion Habicht
The Habicht anniversary edition of the CL Companion combines state-of-the-art technology with a historic look and feel. The design of the special edition is characterised by a leather coating that reflects the look and feel of the original Habicht binoculars. A certificate with a handwritten number makes each item in the special edition a one-off. The special edition is also characterised by sustainable production. The nappa leather used comes from environmentally friendly production in Europe and is tanned using a plant-based process, according to Swarovski Optik. The corresponding bag is made from loden cloth (sheep's wool) from Germany. It is lined with cotton. Manufacturing takes place in Tyrol. The CL Companion model is claimed to impress with its balanced optics, which combine a pleasant viewing experience with high-contrast, razor-sharp and color-true images. Thanks to its compact design and stable magnesium housing, Swarovski Optik has designed it to be both rugged and lightweight. The manufacturer also emphasised user-friendliness and ergonomic design.
Binoculars from the CL product line were launched in 2011 with the CL Companion and have established themselves ever since. With this series, Swarovski Optik aims to offer a combination of excellent optical performance and handy size.
Overview: the two Swarovski Optik CL Companion Habicht models in 8x30 and 10x30 – specs and prices
| Model: | Swarovski Optik CL Companion Habicht 8x30 | Swarovski Optik CL Companion Habicht 10x30 |
| Price: | 2,320 euro | 2,350 euro |
| Magnification: | 8x | 10x |
| Objective Lens Diameter: | 32 mm | 32 mm |
| Exit Pupil Diameter: | 3.8 mm | 3 mm |
| Exit Pupil Distance - Eye Relief: | 16 mm | 16 mm |
| Field of View at 1,000 m: | 132 m | 108 m |
| Field of View Apparent: | 58° | 58° |
| Shortest Focusing Distance: | 3 m | 3 m |
| Diopter Correction at ∞: | ± 4 dpt | ± 4 dpt |
| Light Transmission: | 90% | 90% |
| Pupil Distance: | 55-74 mm | 55-74 mm |
| Twilight Factor According to ISO 14132-1: | 15,5 | 17,3 |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 127x118x55 mm | 127x118x55 mm |
| Weight: | 490 g | 500 g |
Further information on the CL Companion Habicht and other binoculars from the manufacturer can be found on the Swarovski Optik website.
