Besançon
1912
I believe a watch must keep time with consistent accuracy (deviation as near to +- 0 as possible). A watch that can’t keep time is useless. A great watch must have a robust movement.
Being a nano mechanical wonder of sorts, a movement must be finely finished. That is, even bevels, bright where it must be bright, even and properly finished on flat surfaces, perfect machining of all parts. Other than the previous, the case, dial and hands ought to be properly finished and of high quality materials. All bells and whistles are just that. Insane prices are for… those who prefer to pay them, because more often than not watches with insane prices are neither accurate nor robust. Of course, this is my opinion which is worth exactly what you’ve paid for it.
Now, I understand that my comment doesn’t perfectly match your query. But I felt like writing down my definition of what a quality watch ought to be like. Sorry.
What makes a fine watch, fine? Hamilton's American made watch... video from 1947/1949
So what truly makes a mechanical timepiece a fine watch? Let's see what they did nearly 75 years ago in America. Could we see a new resurgence in American made watches? Bonus video: How a watch works... by Hamilton.
At one point in time Elgin was the world's largest.
Am enjoying watching historic videos.
I believe a watch must keep time with consistent accuracy (deviation as near to +- 0 as possible). A watch that can’t keep time is useless. A great watch must have a robust movement.
Being a nano mechanical wonder of sorts, a movement must be finely finished. That is, even bevels, bright where it must be bright, even and properly finished on flat surfaces, perfect machining of all parts. Other than the previous, the case, dial and han...
Considering that Hamilton ended up moving to Switzerland... I don't know.
But as the fine watch video shows, American watchmaking was at one time a big deal. The Hamilton Watch Complex shown in the video still exists today in Lancaster, PA, only now it has been converted to condos and other uses.
Imho it is time to bring Americans back to work within horology. Rolex could open a USA factory to help alleviate the problems with limited Swiss production.
The idea of Rolex in America was brought up online a bit back, and it was warmly welcome by many online. Louis Vuitton makes bags in France of course, then as they got popular, manufacturing was expended into Spain, USA, etc. Rolex could broaden its reach...