Which Independents Are You Watching?
 

Just curious! I regret missing out on Pascal Coyon's first Unitas series, and now LeCompte's new series with the ridiculously delicious finishing.

Who are you guys watching?

I have been really intrigued with how independents are displaying time differently. Bought my first Urwerk at the end of last year and MB&F earlier this year.

One independent whose work I am looking at closely is Ludovic Ballouard.

Czapek. IMO for small/new company they have set the bar high with their new Rattrapante.

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EXACTLY the 2 you mentioned !!!
Christian Lass is also worth mentioning
And I’m sure there are many others

I wonder what Watchbox buying a controlling stake in De Bethune will entail for their future.


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Whatever they are, knowing my luck they're prob gonna skyrocket in waiting time and grey market price....

I’d say Czapek as well. What they have achieved in such a short period of time is astounding. The Antarctique line is a slam dunk.


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I'll have to check him out, not familiar with his work!

I've always been drawn to Armin Strom. They seem to be one of the few other manufactures other than FPJ to execute the resonance complication. That it is open worked adds something to the watch if that's up your alley.

Gronefeld brothers... Such beautiful watches, great dials and movements. Loved the remontoire version but sold out quickly.

+1

Habring and Urwerk. The latter more out of curiosity than with an intend of getting one.

Gronefield, Kudoke, Czapek

I enjoy all every brands new releases and appreciate their catalogue. Always fun to see what’s coming in the industry.

As far as independent maisons whose work I am looking to add: anyone who can complete a bespoke project for me under 25 or anyone putting out watches in the $2-7k range. There was a thread about affordable independents not too long back. Lots of good names thrown around there. Going above that I’m happy to be in the “look but don’t touch” camp.

Czapek and Urban Jurgensen

Not including brands I own or have owned, I’ve been closely looking at Beat Haldimann, Laurent Ferrier and Habring.

Sartory Billard
Shapiro
H. Moser
Czapek
Trilobe

And lately discovered
Garrick


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FP Journe
Gronefeld
Moser
Urwerk

Forgot to add Hentschel Hamburg.

Gronefeld, Greubel Forsey, Dornbleuth and Sohn and P.Dufour (albeit will unlikely ever to own)
Czapek has interested me of recent

Moser has caught my attention in the last 12 months.


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Oh and I bought a Hanhart 417es a few months ago so a shout out to them. Nice watch with a bit of history, built like a tank and great value for money


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Voutilainen

Parmigiani Fleuier

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Dornblüth, habring, urban j, kudoke, M grossmann are my typical c24 searches these days.

Just wondering ...

For me a lot changed when talking about independents. I mean ... Journe is still my favorite brand and that will probably not change. But When buying a Journe today you don't get a piece he made. He works with dozens of watchmakers.
And so do Voutilainen and almost all the others. Even RW Smith has quite some watchmakers working for him.

All great watches but isn't it even better when the watch you get is the watch made by the man who's name is on the dial ?

This is why I love Florent Lecomte, Pascal Coyon, Chritian Lass.


So I would like to see more go these in this thread instead of the Parmiginani, Journe, Voutilainen, Grossman, Czapek, Greubel, Forsey ...
They are independent because the do not belong to a big group ... but they are so different from these individuals.

Maybe we need another name than 'independent'

How do the call the ultra small brands where the watchmaker himself makes YOUR watch.

+1. Although getting a watch from an independent is great, it is not necessarily the same as having your watch made (from start to finish) by a single watchmaker. Beat Haldimann is another one to add to your list btw.

Haldimann is indeed great but unfortunately they come at a price

Rolex, Patek and AP

Please forgive me and don’t take it personal.... but I think it’s impossible to give a more boring answer :chuckle::chuckle: