Independent watchmakers

[Amd]

Who are the best independent watchmakers in your guys' opinion and why (excluding philippe dufour since his watches are basically unatainable)

[Hollister]

I like FP Journe best, beautiful (if you like that sort of thing) innovative, flawless gold movements. Ridiculous attention to detail. Very rare and totally under nearly everyone's radar. Some to-die-for watches, like the Tourbillion and the Perpetual.

I also like Moser, and Glashutte.

[Lange1]

De Bethune!
So beauty. Blend between traditional and morden tech. High end watch case system design, it fit like a glove on your wrist.

[KarlS]

LANGE & Heyne, urban Jurgensen, ANDERSEN would be top of my list. Never warmed to Grossman

[cervantes]

Journe and Ferrier for me, with Journe's craftsmanship being unparalleled to my eyes.

[willski]

I think one of the great merits of independents is one can find the watchmaker that most sings to you and your tastes...

That being said the ones listed above are great along with (in no particular order):

Greubel Forsey (be warned on price)
Romain Gauthier
Andreas Strehler
Gronefeld
Kari Voutilainen
Roger Smith
Richard Mille

The watchmakers above range from very modern to very classical. Have fun researching and finding the one you like!

[SearChart]

Have only handled a few FP Journe watches so can't comment on the other independents. The finishing is sublime.

[MonBK]

Speake Marin

[regnant]

Laurent Ferrier
Moritz Grossman
Armin Strom
Urwerk

In this list I like Laurent Ferrier the most but I don't like their pricing

[KarlS]

Guess the jury is out whether GF is a pure independant having Richmont as a 20% stakeholder and I think RM has SWATCH...they have creative independance so I would be tempted to agree that they are Indies....

A good starting point is looking at members of AHCI and see what stle tempts you...

[GreenRust]

1. Lang and Heyne - old school Saxon style, works of art, masculine, but refined
2. Kari Voutilainen - beautiful finishing, case work and custom dials
3. Laurent Ferrier - classic but forward looking - love the hands and micro rotor movements
4. Urban Jurgensen - classic and offer a detent escapement - I think Kari Voutilainen has a hand in the movements (someone please correct me if I'm misinformed)
5. Ludovic Ballouard - I'm a big fan of the 'upside down' watch. I believe the movement is based on a Peseux 7001. though, heavily, heavily modified.
6. Belier (Kim Djapri) - an emerging star from Dresden - the 'Reverse' is an interesting watch with an open dial, some Saxon style finishing and a reverse reading of the time - 3 o'clock is at 9 o'clock, etc. Kari Voutilainen and Paul Gerber (also a great maker) are Kim Djapri's mentors in the AHCI. Note that Kim is a candidate for the AHCI and not a member, yet. Not that it really matters, I just wanted to clarify.

[jd57]

Just recently bought this - beautiful dial and movement and not likely to run into another one.

[tavv160]

Grönefeld is very high on my list. The Remontoire they came out with is beautiful and just look at the movement. (Picture credits Time and Watches)

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by tavv160

Grönefeld is very high on my list. The Remontoire they came out with is beautiful and just look at the movement. (Picture credits Time and Watches)

I visited their workplace two years ago, very impressive watches.

[masyv6]

Haven't seen Sarpaneva listed yet. I saw one in the flesh last week and haven't been able to get it off my mind.

Now, the Sarpaneva line doesn't compete with many (or any?) brands listed above from a horological standpoint, but their design is top notch. Definitely a noteworthy brand to consider under $20k.

If we are talking strictly horologically, Greubel Forsey probably takes the cake for me.