Vallée de Joux Watch Collection Overview

Jay (Eire)'s journey to acquire his Romain Gauthier C6 culminates in a deeply personal visit to the Vallée de Joux. This article explores the unique experience of collecting from an independent watchmaker, highlighting the profound connection between collector and creator. Jay's reflections offer valuable insights into the decision-making process for high-horology pieces and the evolving appeal of Romain Gauthier's C-line.

I spent my Thanksgiving with Romain Gauthier.  To pick up my C6 in person.  

This watch, my first Romain Gauthier, has been years in the making.  

I first met Romain in either 2017 or 2018 in NYC. At the time I was looking at a Logical 1, admittedly a pre owned one from someone I know.  I was very much on the fence about the watch due to its lug to lug size and case diameter.  

In the end I decided it was not for me and so I spent a couple of years just following along, trying to see more of Romain’s watches in the metal when the chance arose.  

When the C (intially Continuum) was launched my interest was heightened again.   But as you will all know it’s impossible to understand a new watch and form a reliable opinion based solely on photos or videos online.  (Unless it’s the Cubitus of course, LOL.  Hopefully our Patek friends can take a joke). 

Gradually I got to see a few in the metal and when last year a buddy loaned me his C to wear I was then fully onboard that the watch was for me. 

I am mostly a sports watch person.  And in terms of everyday use a sports watch is a better fit for me.  But, ideally such sports watch needs to be versatile enough that one could use it on days where the dress code (or choice) is a little less casual.  

The C can be the versatile watch and so it was then a matter of me waiting for the “right one”. 

That same buddy who loaned me his C early last year had previously tipped me off to a partially open dialed C which was in the pipeline.  Then another friend here filled in some of the gaps for me and kindly facilitated a direct connection to Moe.  

Moe is the “Chief Brand Ambassador” and the “Mr Fix It” at RG for all clients and collectors; those are my chosen titles for him at least, I’m not sure of his official title at RG.  

Meeting with Moe in June 2023 I finally saw a render that day of the watch, which by then I knew was the C6, and so the order was placed. 

With a desire the pick the watch up in person and travel schedules being unusually busy for me it transpired that Thanksgiving would be the best time to get to Switzerland.  

And so this year I spent my Thanksgiving at the Manufacture.  

It was a pretty great day.  Not just picking up the watch which I’d waited on since initially putting my name down 17 months ago, but also meeting the entire team, seeing the manufacture (and the new manufacture which is under construction) and spending the entire day with Romain and Moe.  

I’ve been buying watches for more than two decades.  Sometimes expensive watches, sometimes less expensive.  Sometimes mass luxury and sometimes small and smallish Indies.  Nobody has treated me as well as Romain Gauthier has.  

Both Moe and Romain went above and beyond for me on this visit.  They really did.  And I’m truly grateful for that.  

I will post more about the visit at a later point.  But for now here are some pictures of the watch which I’ve been wearing for the past few days.