Independents

A rather fetching timepiece....

 

Some years ago, too many by far, I had a significant anniversary approaching on the the ever accelerating taboggan ride to that final red light on the highway of life. So the big question was not: Why are we here? What does it all mean? Have I led a good life? or other philisophical and ultimately unanswerable questions. It was..."which watch am I going to treat myself to".....duh!! pretty obvious really! Now that one I can answer!

Well, not sooo easily though. I wanted a hand crafted, artisan made and designed individual piece. That ruled out, well, almost every maker. To me,,, and this is a very personal thing, I cannot get overly excited about mass production masquerading as artisan masterpieces. After all,,a spark erosion machine can make virtually perfect parts with incredible, inhuman consistency. So if one likes impersonal perfection there are squads of salesmen eager to take your order. But  don't be upset if you come across others with exactly the same piece. Maybe I'm wrong but I wanted something special to me to mark the milestone.

Somewhere on this site,,don't ask me where, Thomas M did and for the life of me I couldn't remember (one of the joys of age,,,not!!),,I came across Aaron Becsei. Something about him was very appealing ( no, not like that)
the unique design ethos...everything totally hand made,, each step in consultation. Right up my street.

Contact was soon made,,,,money handed over, and the adventure began. I was invited to comment on each stage. Everything from the anglage, Geneva stripes, type of guillochet, dial colour, hand shape and finish....everything.

Here are some pics that you might find interesting;

I bet you've never seen one just like this!

Platinum case, silver dial, white gold chapter ring.

Deephand guillochet

Unfinished bridges

Screws,,,,hand made..with a bit of machine assistance

Balance wheel

Gold wheels

Unfinished barrel

The heart of the matter. Fine Geneva stripes, beautiful anglage

Side view.

Mmmm...love that guillochet

And this!

On the wrist

Same wrist, different angle