Watch_time_it_is
544
45th Birthday present - who should make it?
So, I turn 45 in 20 months (not that I am looking to rush it) and am planning a 4 week trip to Prague (where my grandfather is from), Switzerland (to visit watch makers, etc), Paris (for my wife), and London/UK (maybe more watch makers).
It dawned on me that I should have a very special, one of a kind watch made to mark the occasion. Some may have read my posting on the home page of Purist on the origins of my watch interest, this seems like a way to make amends. My criteria, as with my entire collections, is:
42mm-ish
with calendar (prefer non-retrograde due to readability and accuracy) so either circular or window display
In house (ok, ok, i know this is a sore subject for some so...) "significantly unique" movement that is the results of watch making ability as well as watch assembling ability. It must have a "soul"
Limited or scarce (limited to one of a kind preferably)
Stunning design - which is subjective certainly
I was reviewing the recent Roger Smith, MB&F, Hainey releases, I have a Peter Speaker-Marin due in October. I would prefer this to come from a living watchmaker, not a custom from someone like VC. Someone I can visit on the trip and actually pick up the watch at that time. So the questions are:
Who would be best to work with? My wife is a designer so there would need to be some openness to design input as well as mechanical input
Has anyone done this? I'm sure someone has.
While i would love a tourbillion, my budget is closer to $25-$45k (seems appropriate, $1k per year) and the idea of a perpetual calendar seems fitting for the occasion.
So - thoughts? Is this a worthy quest? Should I just save up for an "off the shelf" watch from a respectable brand.
I am open to all input and suggestions as well as being contacted by watchmakers who may be interested in this project.
Thanks!
