Horological Meandering

Motovated by an Eichi II thread, I decided to start this. Not certain if the watches should be ordered best to "worst", or just a group of the best.

...or Greubel Forsey (even though I think they are too large with too much writing on the movements). It would be interesting to see what Lange could do if they made a bespoke watch... On the other hand, I've always thought it would be interesting (if I w... 

He is the best in movement and dial, one of the best in cases too imho. In artistic point of view; Grieb & Benzinger. But they do only decoration mainly on existing Patek or Lange movements.

Hard to argue with Kari, as well.

Not so certain affter them.

Honestly it is difficult not to say Kari is no 1. IMHO Kari, innovation and execution is just out of this world

From those examples I have owned before and examined very closely, This is how I will rank them. For absolute aesthetic viewing, 1) Dufour Simplicity (it truly glows), 2) Kari Observatoire (it is great but it dulls once you place it next to a Simplicity) ... 

NT

When I place the two watches next to one another, I feel that Simplicity is more organic while Observatoire's finishing is more calculated. Simplicty's finishing will make one's heart beats faster while Observatoire's finishing is technically great. Havin... 

NT

I am curious if Kari actually does the finishing himself? I don't remember this detail.

How about the finishing of greubel forsey and romain gauthier?

In terms of total finishing effort, how do you think the typical choices here (Dufour, Voutilainen, etc.) compare to some of the high art pieces from big brands such as VC's metiers d'art line. Although the top independents usually have a higher level of ... 

I have seen VC skeleton minute repeater next to a Simplicity. The finishing cannot be compared. I have also compare Patek 3939 next to a Simplicity, cannot be compared too. Does it matter to me? Not really unless I am walking around with a loupe on my eye... 

Undoubtedly Dufour is better at anglage, but I'm assuming he is not a master engraver, can't make a cloisonne enamel dials, etc. To answer the question better, I'd probably want to know how long did it take to learn how to properly execute the finish and ... 

they can't be compared. I guess we can only compare an apple to an apple. I'm just comparing on their movement finish. For example, when we compare a Lange Datograph with a Patek 5070, you will see the HUGE difference. Then if you compare the top independ... 

Is like comparing the classic apples and oranges.

To say these watches do not perform well??

What I mean is Simplicity is not a watch that you should expect it to be super accurate. If you compare it with a fine tuned Grand Seiko, it cannot compare. If you compare it with most top Swiss watch, it is as good, not better. Then again, no one expect ... 

The dial is made by Metalem, and the component fabrication is outsourced. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I wouldn't consider these as significant factors against Dufour's watches, there's only so much one person can do.

But there are people out there who actually think that he makes everything himself. If they want such a watch, try Roger Smith or Kari... not sure if they do everything but close to it. I guess you would know that the movement design is obviously from ano... 

I'm pretty sure Kari, Laurent Ferrier, Rexhep, the Gronefeld brothers, etc. have people on their teams to do the assembly. I think Roger Smith does it himself, along with some others like Bexei and Ludovic Ballouard. Not a huge factor, but it does add som... 

I agree with you. It does have merit but I am not sure how significant is that.