Which Independent Watch Brand(s) would you consider next ?

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I have been drawn to the design of the IWC 5001-09 but have been told by two AD’s that the servicing of this brand is not very good particularly in Oz.

Anyone care to comment on this?

IWC has great service in the US.

[htbilgic]

Originally Posted by PJ S

^
Vacheron Constantin isn’t an I dependent company — haven’t been for over 30 years, since Richemont acquired it.

I didn't know. Thanks for the info.

[carlhaluss]

Without a doubt, H. Moser & Cie



Not only do they make watches with innovative designs, great movements, they make virtually everything in house. Even the hairsprings, which I believe they manufacture for other companies as well. And rarely do you see a company so dedicated to it's client base. They are fantastic about responding to client requests, questions and the feedback given them. Resale is never a consideration when I buy a watch, but value definitely is. I consider H. Moser as a high end brand, to also be high value.

Cheers,
Carl

[Talbel]

Have a Nomos and Speake-Marin (just find them interesting). For me F.P. Journe is my grail independent, but it’s going to be a while. ��

[Stargazer735]

The MB&F LM101 is probably at the top of my list of independents. I like the LM Perpetual Calendar as well, but the dimensions make it a bit difficult to wear, especially on my 6.5" wrist.

MB&F watches have to be seen in person to really be appreciated. They're certainly not for everyone, but I love them. Very visually stimulating.

On the other end of the spectrum of design, I will probably go for a Lange, should finances allow it. The craftsmanship and attention to detail of their movements is breathtaking... but they're not independent, as mentioned earlier in this post.

Pictures of the LM101 for reference.

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[GreenLantern]

I would love to commission a Philippe Dufour. Sadly that's impossible as he barely produces one watch a year nowadays, and they're exclusively his Grand Sonnerie (a complication I have no interest in). :(

[subtona]

Fpj.
Own chrono bleu, love everything about it.

Laurent Ferrier also very nice but didn’t last in the collection.

Ps I have an LE Oris diver incoming any day now.

[Hendrikus]

Sinn, for me.

[Skanse]

Fp journe for me


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[ialienam]

Always want to get an independent watch, yesterday first time tried on FP Journe CB, Pre owned via a trusted dealer. Price is not bad, the case back is just stunning, great dressy watch size. BUT I am not a big fan of the CB dial for some reason.

I personally prefer CS (white dial with blue hands). A couple of things I would like to know

1. Resale value? It doesn’t look so good? And I can’t get much info from Chrono 24, due to limited supply?
From what I have read, CB retains value/gains value in pre owned pretty ok, but no so much talk on CS?

2. Any other recommendations? H moser is another brand I have had my eyes on for years

But the reasons I like FP journe CS are
Manual winding with beautiful movement
40mm and very thin, great for dress watch
Power reserve indicator (something I don’t have in my current collection)

A Lange is great too, but I already have one so would like to have something different.


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[kunlun]

Originally Posted by ialienam

Always want to get an independent watch, yesterday first time tried on FP Journe CB, Pre owned via a trusted dealer. Price is not bad, the case back is just stunning, great dressy watch size. BUT I am not a big fan of the CB dial for some reason.

I personally prefer CS (white dial with blue hands). A couple of things I would like to know

1. Resale value? It doesn’t look so good? And I can’t get much info from Chrono 24, due to limited supply?
From what I have read, CB retains value/gains value in pre owned pretty ok, but no so much talk on CS?

2. Any other recommendations? H moser is another brand I have had my eyes on for years

But the reasons I like FP journe CS are
Manual winding with beautiful movement
40mm and very thin, great for dress watch
Power reserve indicator (something I don’t have in my current collection)

A Lange is great too, but I already have one so would like to have something different.


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The Lange you own doesn't hold value, Langes don't, neither do Mosers. Certain old FPJs will, and when Mr. Journe himself goes, he himself makes the case that he has set up his company so that they will gain, but buying watches with regard to resale value is very stupid.

Buy a watch you will love and wear it. That's as smart as this hobby can get.

[rockdrock]

Akrivia, Akrivia, Akrivia.
FPJ
Atelier de Chronometrie - Barcelona.

This list on this thread is amazing.


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[watchucallit]

Gronefeld... (my second one)

[RotaryRider]

Ressence Type1 Squared

[WatchEater666]

Gronefeld 1941 for sure. The finishing seems to be a step above what other independents offer.

[yoast]

Expensive:
Urwerk UR-100 space time
MB&F LM101

Cheap:
Sartory-Billard
Lundis Bleus
Holthinrichs

[shafran]

Fpj is very strong on resell market right now. Moser not at all. Lange is in between the 2.

[shafran]

btw, the arnold & son time pyramid tourbillon is beatiful

[Fred48]

A vote for Monta, a St Louis based company; well made and finished, very accurate, and excellent customer service. They even called me at the start of the pandemic just to see how I was doing.

I own two - diver and gmt:

[kunlun]

Originally Posted by rockdrock

Akrivia, Akrivia, Akrivia.
FPJ
Atelier de Chronometrie - Barcelona.

This list on this thread is amazing.


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Been following Atelier de Chronometrie, they do highest grade finishing and are making a split-second chronograph. They never make a watch exactly like another, something has to be unique.

They are expensive, but you get a bespoke watch with no CNC used, pretty special.


For those who like George Daniels, english style watches (very subdued finishing that has a lot of hand work, but is designed to not catch the eye so as to avoid distraction from the watchmaking), and innovative movements and escapements, there the Charles Frodsham Double Impulse Chronometre Wristwatch.

https://watchesbysjx.com/2018/09/han...ristwatch.html

There is a bit of a waitlist, but to paraphrase longtime watch dealer and collector James Dowling, "I tried on watches by George Daniels and Roger W Smith. It's a Charles Frodsham I put my money down on."

[thesingularity7]

FP Journe, but unlikely to be anytime soon.

More realistically, I've been gravitating towards these guys. I suppose they are more microbrand than independent, based on the types of brands mentioned in the past few pages.

Ming 17.06


Kurono Mori

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

FP Journe, but unlikely to be anytime soon.

More realistically, I've been gravitating towards these guys. I suppose they are more microbrand than independent, based on the types of brands mentioned in the past few pages.

Can highly recommend the Kurono; fantastic watch for the money. I also have my eye on a copper Ming if/when they have their next batch open for preorder.

[vandyologist]

I’ve recently picked up an FPJ and Grönefeld. Super interested in Czapek.

[jamestucker]

Kv

[MrBenF]

KV is firmly on my list.

But for such a small producer (<=50 pc/annum), there’re always multiple examples available pre-owned on the secondary market. Can this be interpreted that owners get tired of their KVs quickly?

As a comparison, I don’t see many RGs or Gronefelds available pre-owned.


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[Oneallen]

FPJ or Gronefeld

[agentmeister5]

H. Moser and FPJ are two at the top of my list and I've been in the market for a CS for a while now but just haven't pulled the trigger thinking I might work my way toward a CO instead. Meanwhile, H. Moser's funky blue heritage and both the cosmic green and funky blue pioneer are of interest to me, just trying to decide which of the three I'd like to get first.

[mnf67]

Just learned about Torsti Laine watches, independmet, basically made to order, traditional style, steel cases with very nice dial and movement finishing:

[Watch2019]

Originally Posted by mnf67

Just learned about Torsti Laine watches, independmet, basically made to order, traditional style, steel cases with very nice dial and movement finishing:

Their watches look beautiful. May consider them if I decide to buy from an independent. Was previously checking out Dornbluth & Sohn but haven’t made any decision.

[Pongster]

I have a few independents. FP Journe CB. Ochs und junior Moonphase. Alain Silberstein Smiley Day. RG Murphy 222. Ressence Type 1. And a couple of Nomos.

Am considering getting the following in the coming years:

FP Journe Centrigraphe
Konstantin Chaykin Joker
Gronefeld Principia
Hajime Asaoka Tsunami
Laurent Ferrier Galet

and if I’m lucky

Philippe Dufour Simplicity