Independent Watchmakers: Support or Not? — WatchProSite Forum Digest

chosenhandle · 2018-03-19T13:47:43Z

Explore the debate on supporting independent watchmakers. Collectors discuss the value of personal connection, service, and the 'soul' of a watch from brands like F.P. Journe and Lang & Heyne.

chosenhandle

WPS member · Independents forum

24 replies9852 views1 photos

Chosenhandle initiates a thought-provoking discussion on the value of supporting independent watchmakers versus established brands, questioning where to draw the line in defining 'independent.' The post explores the desire for a personal connection with the watchmaker and its impact on the collecting experience, using F.P. Journe and Lang & Heyne as examples.

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Gentlemen,

I visit it daily and appreciate the experience and expertise that I find on this site. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! One of these days, I will make a meaningful contribution myself!

Over time, my thoughts on acquiring watches has evolved from buying recognizable names (omega, Ulysse Nardin, Blancpain etc) to supporting small independent makers. It seems clear to me from reading anecdotal accounts and pictures of "production facilities", that purchasing from a small independent will have a more meaningful impact as compared to buying more watches from one of the conglomerates. For the money spent, not only do I receive a beautiful watch, but also the beginnings of a relationship that adds to the value. I am trying not to sound noble or egalitarian, but rather I believe the spirit of watch collecting is alive with those small makers and supporting each other will allow all of us to enjoy our hobby even more. But where does that notion end? Is J.P. Journe no longer a small independent because it does not include those personal touches? It is technically a small independent company. Or, should I put extra weight on selecting a Lang & Heyne watch because Marco Lang has personally connected with me and made recommendations based on our discussion? Both make absolutely world class products and I am sure both will satisfy me for the rest of my life. But is one superior to the other when considering our hobby and keeping it alive? By the way, I am using those two brands as examples only.

So, am I alone in wanting to keep the dream alive? Where do I draw the line on supporting small independent watchmakers?

Thanks for reading my rambling. I really look forward to your thoughts on this. I leave you now with a beautiful shot of the Lang & Heyne Frederich II

Paul

This message has been edited by cazalea on 2018-03-19 16:44:14

Key Points from the Discussion

The 'soul of the watch' is proposed as a metric for evaluating independents, focusing on whether the watchmaker's hand and vision are palpable in the design, movement, craftsmanship, and overall buying experience.
A key value of supporting smaller independents is the potential for a direct, personal relationship with the watchmaker, offering access to the designer and involvement in the creation process, which is less likely with larger independent brands like F.P. Journe.
The quality of service from authorized dealers (ADs) significantly influences the perception of both big brands and independents, with exceptional AD service sometimes outweighing the direct watchmaker connection.
The long-term serviceability of complex independent watches is a critical consideration, especially as original watchmakers age or companies change hands, posing a risk for future maintenance.
Some collectors switch to independent brands due to negative service experiences with larger conglomerates, citing issues like prolonged service times, quality control problems, and damaged watches.
The discussion highlights that all independents are exclusive compared to mass-produced brands, but the degree of personal connection and involvement with the watchmaker can vary significantly.

The Discussion

Watchonthewrist

Mar 19, 2018

Why would you draw a line ?

Just buy a watch you like the most and if there is a nice click with the brand cq watchmaker thats a plus imho . Like you i pref indie brands 🤗.

Alkiro1

Mar 19, 2018

Best wishes Alkiro

cazalea

Mar 19, 2018

Some time ago I took a survey of the "independent" watches owned by PuristS

Here are the names of watches they own - we could not agree on whether AHCI or not was important; if once independent now brand was important or not. Svend Andersen Soren Andersen Hajime Asaoka Felix Baumgartner Aaron Becsei Robert Bray Vincent Calabrese Konstantin Chaykin Valerii Danevych Nicolas Delaloye Philippe Dufour Miki Eleta Paul Gerber / MIH Beat Haldimann Vianney Halter Marc Jenni François-Paul Journe * Frank Jutzi Masahiro Kikuno Christian Klings Marco Lang Bernhard Lederer Xushu Ma J

Watchonthewrist

Mar 20, 2018

Urwerk

H Moser & cie

Gelato Monster

Mar 20, 2018

the dutch

Bart and Tim Gronefeld Fred Dingemans

Bill

May 21, 2018

I took the opportunity to click through some of the related post in the foot of the message. WOW A lot to learn and appreciate. Thx [nt]

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