Independents

I think we can all appreciate these pieces. So yes, kiss. However in owning one we have to think about longer term pluses and minuses of marriage. If the company goes under how would one go about manufacturing spares for the silicon parts if needed. Can w...  

But as we know, brands do not allow independent watch repairers to access (easily) their parts. However with breakthrough technologies in 3d printing or laser molding, each watchmaker could re-create those parts. Original projects would not be needed, rev... 

While I know too little about independents to bring out the extra surprise son, I have seen that the daughters of both Kari Voutilainen and Vianney Halter are involved in the business

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The watch industry has become more competitive than ever. A trip to Basel would be educational just to let us know the many brands that we had never heard of. The big brands used to have to compete with each other but now they also have quite a number of ... 

Thanks my friend.

you use a lot "resale value"......that cannot be the only, or almost, criteria to buy watches,I know its a factor but unfortunately way too often this is the only aspect concerning watch collector, well allow me to be a bit more...romantic... Mo

Its a hobby and most of them cost money . I dont care if i lose a bit on a watch if i want to sell it . Part of the game imo .

Frequently, this criteria=poor value retention, but you know what, the lost dollars in no way diminish the passion I indulge by wearing the pieces. I get to experience these feelings whenever I want by wearing the watch I like and choose to buy. Some day ... 

I have spent many years in the 'romantic' phase where I bought watches I liked and lost too much money because the only way to buy new watches would be to sell current ones. Fortunately, I have learned my lesson the hard way and now that I am retired, I a... 

And even if legitimate, it shouldn't make almost no sense for a real watch"collector"(mind you not a watch "reseller" or "investor").. With the same reasoning we should be careful about buying a George Daniels,a R Smith,a Dufour or a Voutalinen considerin... 

Let's think to Journe, he's likely the one with the largest production figures. Will his maison be acquired by any of the big groups? What next? I would not confuse servicing with value, or collectors should buy few brands only. I'm also hopeful that tech... 

All I know is that, at the moment, he makes beautiful desirable watches....If he will be watered down by a large group acquisition, well I ll stop buying him and buy something else.. As for the silicon being a way to go through official service?Well we ar... 

Best wishes Alkiro

The best is yet to come😎😉

Best wishes Alkiro

Decided to sell all my big brand watches (MB, Panerai, JLC, IWC, GP,...) and just stick with Rolex/Patek (and my AP 15202) and independants for future acquisitions. Loved independants from the beginning an finally decided to purchase a Voutilainen (expect... 

Pleasure an independent gives you... a watch you can relate to... exactly! Isn’t that the maximum expression of collecting ? Something that is yours fully? As for selling in case finance requires it, c mon, how many watches will we sell because in need of... 

Not into the big group thing... A discussion we have often Mo (independents watches that is... well...) buy what your heart says and cry about your wallet later. Cheers Andrew

LFdT is the manufacturer of the ebauche and the Silicon parts. While LFdT is itself a another small firm, it has the backing of LVMH. The rest is naturally serviceable and the design is timeless. Best, Brandon

At the opposite, I would be much more worried about HYT and their “liquid” watches for instance. Even a very good watchmaker can’t service/repair one of them. Best wishes Alkiro

Imo there will allways be a skilled watchmaker arround who is able to service the watch . About HYT thats a other issue , that one will be hard to service by other watchmakers ,

Best wishes Alkiro

Your right i am not worried at all , can be hard like you said but not impossible imo

Best wishes Alkiro

there are a lot of talented and brilliant watchmakers out there who can handle it, just a matter of finding one. This article gave me further peace of mind www.arabtimesonline.com S

I'm a person of moderate means with a young family and all of the priorities that come with that etc. I'm a watch enthusiast. The two don't really mix well, but if I plan and budget I could swing a mid range watch every 5 years or so. After having moved m... 

.... on this thread. I guess my main concern is not the serviceability of this particular maker so much; there are indeed plenty of watchmakers to service these pieces, but the future repairability or maintainability of the silicon parts. There are in thi... 

...while rationality collapses.

Images sometimes speak for themselves better than words... I am not asking anyone to agree or share my point of view but I made my decision, at least for LF or KV who convinced me that I am not wasting the money of my next generation. I not only highly re...  

I think at the end of the day we all have quite different means of affordability and varying priorities. Some of us are more prudent than others because we cannot afford not to be! I salute those among us who can afford to buy a watch without having a tho... 

Does anyone have an article etc outlining the problems in the company?

although I read there was some jiggerypokery around 2013. I only used LF as an example and particularly as my main concern is around silicon hardware, and they use it for 3 components.

Someone at another forum a few weeks ago mentioned LF was experiencing difficulties.

Enjoy it, there are no guarantees in life!

This is just like vintage cars... I wouldn't worry too much about serviceability of the LF. These are mechanical watches after all. They can be fixed. If its long term prospect is what keeps you sitting on the fence, think about just how many brands that ...