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WatchEater666 · 27 October 2020, 04:17 PM

I thought it would be fun to get a thread going on some of the affordable independents that offer customization. IE Dornbluth, Habring, etc!

Post yours.

capote · 27 October 2020, 07:09 PM

Laine. He is reworking Unitas movements I think and offers customization. Never handled one but Gelidus 2 looks quite nice

Jay (Eire) · 27 October 2020, 09:23 PM

Good suggestion. Plenty of good stuff out there.

Here’s my Laine (mentioned above).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jay (Eire) · 27 October 2020, 09:24 PM

And another (limitation on picture quality doesn’t help).

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En_nissen · 27 October 2020, 11:43 PM

Nice threat! Looking forward to see what people know of.

I don't have personal experience, but Kudoke is one that hasn't been mentioned yet.

In my experience most independants focus on the movement, but I'd also mention one focusing on self made and hand finished dials.
Sartory Billard:

Laser made components made on request, and heat colored titanium dials. As far as I know, only sartory billard and Debethune make complete dials that are heat treated, since it's so hard to make the color even.

The downside to the watches are the somewhat standard movements (STP 3/13).

WatchEater666 · 27 October 2020, 11:47 PM

BTW does anyone know a brand doing what some of the aforementioned offer for dress watches but dive watches?

Jay (Eire) · 28 October 2020, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

BTW does anyone know a brand doing what some of the aforementioned offer for dress watches but dive watches?

Ming?

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Pw92676 · 28 October 2020, 03:41 AM

This thread needs to be closed. Way too much temptation already!

Fantastic pieces guys. Thanks for sharing.

enjoythemusic · 28 October 2020, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pw92676

This thread needs to be closed. Way too much temptation already!

Fantastic pieces guys. Thanks for sharing.

Just this thread?

The whole TRF judging by today's bank funds transfer to....

Pw92676 · 28 October 2020, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Just this thread?

The whole TRF judging by today's bank funds transfer to....

Lol. A temporary closure of TRF would probably help the entire banking sector:)

Love threads like this, getting to see fantastic photos of uncommon watches.

kimodaz · 28 October 2020, 09:44 AM

How about these RPaige watches. He uses vintage pocket watch dials matched with vintage pocket watch movements.

enjoythemusic · 28 October 2020, 11:41 AM

Saw pics first and said, wait, that's a pocket watch movement. Sweeeeeet! Thx kimodaz.

Txkill · 28 October 2020, 11:44 AM

My two contributions. Kudoke 1, and Dornbluth 99.1! Independent watchmakers are great, they can venture out and take a little more risk, which is what I like.

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Pongster · 1 December 2020, 04:22 PM

My only Dornblüth

Txkill · 2 December 2020, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pongster

My only Dornblüth

Love it Pongster! The two tone is gorgeous! How does it feel in the wrist?

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WatchEater666 · 18 February 2021, 04:25 PM

bump

sproberman · 20 February 2021, 04:12 AM

Tourby is another German maker using Unitas pocket watch movements. No personal experience but they have some customizations and even no logo I think.

Jack T · 20 February 2021, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txkill

My two contributions. Kudoke 1, and Dornbluth 99.1! Independent watchmakers are great, they can venture out and take a little more risk, which is what I like.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like that Dornbluth, been looking at them for about a year, long wait times, but seem to be well crafted. Hope you enjoy it.

mongrelnomoad · 20 February 2021, 06:39 AM

I have a soft spot for Raketa.

WatchEater666 · 26 March 2021, 02:13 PM

Bump

GreenLantern · 26 March 2021, 02:26 PM

I remember when FP Journe was an affordable independent.

I miss the state of watch collecting from that time.

vman · 26 March 2021, 11:59 PM

Sartory Billard - I have an incoming bespoke. Hand finished cases, awesome dials, movements from a reputable third party (not ETA or ETA clones).

RGM Watches - Pure Americana, awesome dials.

Dornbluth and Son - You can get in-house and ETA-based movements. Great hand finish.

Honestly, with Rolex prices as they are, independents are the way to go. You can drop $11K on a Sub at a gray or get some seriously good horology from the makers you won't find at a local mall.

Jay (Eire) · 27 March 2021, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I remember when FP Journe was an affordable independent.

I miss the state of watch collecting from that time.

Those were used prices though, and even then mid teens was the lowest entry point which is a stretch for “affordable”.

But I am with you on the sentiment. So many pieces I wanted, still want, which I thought I had years to acquire. Some Journe for sure but more so others. A conversation for another thread I think.

Back on topic, there are some really nice pieces in this thread, and many not yet featured.

TimeLord2 · 27 March 2021, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

I have a soft spot for Raketa.

That is so cool! Has a very strong Kazimir Malevich vibe!

texasmade · 27 March 2021, 01:23 PM

Formex and Laventure are under $5k

On the higher end, Czapek comes to mind.

PekWatchGuy · 27 March 2021, 08:18 PM

Laine?

Torsti Laine. Finland?! I am from Finland...wow...maybe my next watch

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

And another (limitation on picture quality doesn’t help).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jay (Eire) · 27 March 2021, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PekWatchGuy

Laine?

Torsti Laine. Finland?! I am from Finland...wow...maybe my next watch

Yes. That Laine !

When you think about it you Finns are a little spoiled when it comes to homegrown indie talent.

PekWatchGuy · 27 March 2021, 11:58 PM

True.

Could you please post movement shot of that Laine watch?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Yes. That Laine !

When you think about it you Finns are a little spoiled when it comes to homegrown indie talent.

1sttimerolex · 30 March 2021, 04:40 AM

I think Halios makes some fantastic pieces.

dchang81 · 30 March 2021, 06:17 AM

just checked out laine and kudoke at passion. awesome watches. if there was 50m WR id definitely have one on order.

27 October 2020, 04:17 PM	#1
WatchEater666 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,644	Affordable Independents I thought it would be fun to get a thread going on some of the affordable independents that offer customization. IE Dornbluth, Habring, etc! Post yours.

28 October 2020, 11:41 AM	#12
enjoythemusic 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: Steven Location: Glocal Posts: 19,406	Saw pics first and said, wait, that's a pocket watch movement. Sweeeeeet! Thx kimodaz. __________________ __________________ “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'” -- Hunter S. Thompson Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory.

26 March 2021, 11:59 PM	#22
vman "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Capt Swerve Location: North Carolina Watch: less TV Posts: 2,224	Sartory Billard - I have an incoming bespoke. Hand finished cases, awesome dials, movements from a reputable third party (not ETA or ETA clones). RGM Watches - Pure Americana, awesome dials. Dornbluth and Son - You can get in-house and ETA-based movements. Great hand finish. Honestly, with Rolex prices as they are, independents are the way to go. You can drop $11K on a Sub at a gray or get some seriously good horology from the makers you won't find at a local mall. __________________ Collector and buyer of Lange, VC, Patek \| 2 FA Enabled

27 October 2020, 07:09 PM	#2
capote "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Daniel Location: Sweden Watch: 16570 Posts: 7,315	Laine. He is reworking Unitas movements I think and offers customization. Never handled one but Gelidus 2 looks quite nice

27 October 2020, 09:23 PM	#3
Jay (Eire) 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: @jb.watching Location: NYC Posts: 1,467	Good suggestion. Plenty of good stuff out there. Here’s my Laine (mentioned above). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

27 October 2020, 09:24 PM	#4
Jay (Eire) 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: @jb.watching Location: NYC Posts: 1,467	And another (limitation on picture quality doesn’t help). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

27 October 2020, 11:43 PM	#5
En_nissen "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Denmark Posts: 28	Nice threat! Looking forward to see what people know of. I don't have personal experience, but Kudoke is one that hasn't been mentioned yet. In my experience most independants focus on the movement, but I'd also mention one focusing on self made and hand finished dials. Sartory Billard: Laser made components made on request, and heat colored titanium dials. As far as I know, only sartory billard and Debethune make complete dials that are heat treated, since it's so hard to make the color even. The downside to the watches are the somewhat standard movements (STP 3/13).

27 October 2020, 11:47 PM	#6
WatchEater666 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,644	BTW does anyone know a brand doing what some of the aforementioned offer for dress watches but dive watches?

28 October 2020, 03:41 AM	#8
Pw92676 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Georgia Posts: 6,123	This thread needs to be closed. Way too much temptation already! Fantastic pieces guys. Thanks for sharing.

28 October 2020, 11:44 AM	#13
Txkill "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Real Name: Joseph Location: Rockwall TX Watch: Lots Posts: 1,223	My two contributions. Kudoke 1, and Dornbluth 99.1! Independent watchmakers are great, they can venture out and take a little more risk, which is what I like. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

18 February 2021, 04:25 PM	#16
WatchEater666 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,644	bump

20 February 2021, 06:39 AM	#19
mongrelnomoad "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Here and there... Posts: 1,844	I have a soft spot for Raketa.

26 March 2021, 02:13 PM	#20
WatchEater666 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,644	Bump

26 March 2021, 02:26 PM	#21
GreenLantern "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 3,223	I remember when FP Journe was an affordable independent. I miss the state of watch collecting from that time.

27 March 2021, 01:23 PM	#25
texasmade "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Real Name: Robert Location: Lone Star State Watch: AP RO 15400, FOIS Posts: 2,333	Formex and Laventure are under $5k On the higher end, Czapek comes to mind.

30 March 2021, 04:40 AM	#29
1sttimerolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Irvine Posts: 194	I think Halios makes some fantastic pieces.

30 March 2021, 06:17 AM	#30
dchang81 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Cleveland Posts: 2,041	just checked out laine and kudoke at passion. awesome watches. if there was 50m WR id definitely have one on order.

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