Luxury Watch Collection: Keep or Sell Guide

sham1 · 2023-07-07T08:54:44Z

Explore sham1's dilemma with his custom Sartory Billard SB05, featuring Voutilainen craftsmanship and unique Chinese numerals. A deep dive into collector psychology and the value of independent watchmaking.

sham1

WPS member · Independents forum

33 replies8148 views9 photos

In a compelling post, WatchProSite member sham1 invites the community into a deeply personal horological dilemma: whether to keep or sell a unique Sartory Billard SB05, a watch he personally designed. This piece, featuring a Voutilainen-finished titanium case and a salmon guilloché dial with Chinese numerals, represents a significant personal achievement and an accessible entry into high-end independent watchmaking. sham1's predicament, balancing emotional attachment with a curated collection philosophy, resonates with many collectors navigating the complexities of their passion.

Fiftenn months ago, I decided to try my hand at dial designing and came up with a configuration that Sartory Billard agreed to make for me. The case is in titanium and made and finished by Voutilainen and Cattin while the dial and the final asembly of the watch is done by Comblemine, Voutilainen's dial maker., Prices of new Voutilainens are now in the six figure bracket making them almost unaffordable to the average watch enthusiast so this is arguably the closest I would be able to get to a Voutilainen. The manual winding movement by La Joux Perret has been finished speicially for this SB05. And at 38.5mm (45.5mm lug to lug) and a thickness of 8.5mm, this watch would fit most wrists perfectly.

And here lies my predicament and a predicament common to many - fifteeen months may not seem like a long time to wait for a watch but in this time, I have accumulated quite a number of watches, some totally unexpectedly. Many will argue 'ah well, just keep this piece unique SB05 but I for one believe in keeping the number of watches I own below a 'reasonable' number - ten being that number.

For example, my latest accidental acquisition prior to the SB05 was this beautiful Bovet in a very attractive 39mm white gold case. The elegance of the dial still takes my breath away,

I apologise that the photos of my Sartory Billard have been taken in its sealed plastic because should I decide to sell it, I trust it will appeal more if it remains unopened. Time will tell what I decide to do and thank you very much for reading,

A salmon guilloche dial surrounded by a dark blue aventurine outer circle

The box is made by Nicolas Vonin in French sourced wood

The Raisien Atelier Bolvin makes the silk pocket square that wraps the watch

Scarlett Paris provided the strap

The colour contrast oif the dial is striking

I love the unusual buckle

Lovely packaging and very bespoke

The alluring Bovet

Although it is not light (and I like light watches), I love this piece

Key Points from the Discussion

The decision to part with a watch, especially one personally designed, often hinges on whether it evokes a 100% emotional connection. If doubts exist, it may be time to let it go to maintain a curated collection.
Despite the unique design and personal involvement, some independent brands like Sartory Billard, Laine, or Garrick, may not fully satisfy the 'thirst for luxury' that collectors seek, leading to a feeling of 'good to have but not miss'.
The Chinese numerals on the dial represent traditional two-hour time blocks, aligning with the outer ring's segmentation. This design choice is unusual for a modern watch and raises questions about how the specific characters were chosen for a 12-hour display.
The author chose Chinese numerals for their aesthetic 'pop' on the dial, acknowledging that he doesn't know their specific meaning but trusts the designer. He also notes the rarity of such numerals in other watches.
The 'luxury feeling' provided by established brands like Rolex, even if 'brainwashed,' can sometimes outweigh the intellectual satisfaction of a custom-designed independent piece, leading collectors to question their preferences.
It is advisable to remove a new watch from its plastic wrapping to fully appreciate its design and 'sparkle' while making a decision, as the covering can detract from its aesthetic appeal.

The Discussion

WTWTStyle

Jul 7, 2023

Maybe the customed watch can not be sold at par value.

sham1

Jul 7, 2023

But there is only one way to find out!

sham1

Jul 7, 2023

I am assuming you are referring to the Sartory Billard rather than the Bovet?!

S F

Jul 7, 2023

SB, Laine, Garrick, etc. In the end, I decided to pass as I could not quite position them in my collection. It is like they are interesting, maybe good to have but I will not miss it kind of feeling. When it comes to “piece unique”, was there a commitment from SB they will not do another piece if someone saw yours and asked for one in exact same config to be made as he liked it so much? If you do not have much feel for the watch, guess the answer is quite clear as you have a grand finale of 10 i

sham1

Jul 7, 2023

My Sartory Billard actually states 'piece unique' on the movement and Armand has assured me that this would be a one off. It is a lovely watch don't get me wrong but at present I have quite a few lovely watches. Armand though is a great guy and we have become friends thanks to this watch.

Mohannad (aka Riddler)

Jul 7, 2023

It’s Avery lively watch and Armand is a great guy I’m not too fond of the bovet to be honest

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Luxury Watch Collection: Keep or Sell Guide

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