anonymous09
503
I can see the OP’s disappointment perfectly – the other dials could’ve had black printed minute track and seconds sub-dial.
Nov 28, 2017,11:34 AM
And even if the OP was under the impression that the enamel part of the dial was to remain exclusive to those 18 watches, why isn’t that reasonable?
White dials can be achieved without enamel (LF has already done a porcelain LE Gallet Square), so it could be argued that SS models should’ve came with a painted or chemically created one, which would’ve satisfied all parties.
Comments:
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Why I gave up on my Laurent Ferrier
By: kykw : November 28th, 2017-09:39
I had the limited edition LF micro-rotor with an enamel dial. The watch was my prized possession at the time, it's the one that compelled me to sign up to this wonderful forum after years of lurking around. Sadly it didn't survive the next 12 months in my...
Luxury's disappointments
By: COUNT DE MONET : November 28th, 2017-10:41
I personally do not give a bit to "exclusivity". It is all a marketing tool and nothing else. In your case I fail to see your disappointment fully: an enamel dial can't stay limited in use. I feel you had too high expectations? Best Moritz
The use of enamel dial certainly wouldn't be exclusive to my old watch
By: kykw : November 28th, 2017-15:15
My disapointment was about how similar the 2 dials looked between my LE and the other non-LE. In fact, LF first used enamel dials in its galet classic series (the tourbillon), but I haven't seen any that had the same colour tone. Thanks for your comment, ...
Thanks for sharing
By: brandon1 : November 28th, 2017-10:42
Your experiences, good and bad. I’m curious...you mentioned accuracy in your comments...was this issue resolved during the service? What was performance like before/after? Best, Brandon
The issue was completely resolved the second time around
By: kykw : November 28th, 2017-15:21
Prior to the first service, the watch was about 10 seconds slow per day. It had about a day and a half power reserve. The specs was 72 hours. The watch was within 2 seconds per day with full power reserve post service. Ken
I understand your position
By: dedestexhes : November 28th, 2017-10:42
a wouldn’t be pleased at all. But times are tough for all watch companies including the Independents. I remember the same happened with Voutilainen when he introduced the “bridge” for a he peseux 260. In the end the question is 1. Did you pay a premium fo...
It was a combination of factors that led to the disappointment
By: kykw : November 28th, 2017-15:35
Thanks, Dirk. 1. Yes. I did pay a premium, regardless of whether it's a 'marketing ploy' that I'd fallen for... never bought the watch for the value retention purpose, but it did hurt. 2. Wouldn't call the LF a grail watch just because there're too many w...
Thank you for sharing this story, and yes, such should not happen...
By: Ornatus-Mundi : November 28th, 2017-10:45
Neither the service issue (ok, we're all humans), but certainly not the over-proliferation of your limited dial. I could imagine a theoretical answer by the manufacturer stating that technically no regular watch with your specific combination of movement/...
+1 [nt]
By: Gelato Monster : November 28th, 2017-18:01
I can understand
By: Poky : November 28th, 2017-11:37
but I would not be too disappointed with the LE issue. Yours is still a limited issue as it is in platinum and the dial is not exactly the same as in the others. My main concern would be the damage to the watch after the initial service and the accuracy n...
Yes, the accuracy issue was resolved.
By: kykw : November 28th, 2017-16:58
Thanks for the comment, Poky. I can understand your argument. My view is that LF being an indepedent with a small production, I expected its LE to count for a liltt more. Let's put it in another context, could we foresee LF reproducing the Hodinkee LE lay...
I can see your point now;
By: Poky : November 29th, 2017-04:53
a limited edition for a small independent brand should be limited not similar to the others. We are not talking about little money here either.
If I didn't find out the steel pieces, I'd probably still have mine.
By: kykw : November 28th, 2017-17:07
Thanks for your comment as always, Alkiro. It wasn't my objective to highlight how LF might have done me wrong. I just wanted to document how I fell out of love with a piece that I'd previously adored. I'm sure other collectors must have similar disappoin...
I also find the limited edition not really compromised...
By: shortys home : November 28th, 2017-12:35
... the dial is still distinctive due to the Roman numerals. The damage can easily have happened at the AD, whoever has been responsible, it should not have found the way back to you in that condition without being detected. However, besides all factual e...
Parting ways is the best solution- that's exactly my thought
By: kykw : November 28th, 2017-17:12
Thanks for your comment, Henrik. The LF is a mighty fine watch. Like I said before, I definitely don't regret owning it. Getting to know the watch and to observe it up close was a huge pleasure. But once the passion is gone, it's time to move onto the nex...
In this day, and in this market, your expectations were unrealistic.
By: TheMadDruid : November 28th, 2017-12:59
I am not criticizing you in any way. But LF is not, by any means, the only brand to make subtle changes to its LEs to sell more watches. "LE" is marketing only. It means nothing as far as as the amount of watches a brand may manufacture, which are in ever...
Live and learn
By: kykw : November 28th, 2017-17:17
Thanks for the savvy words, Padj. Now I'll be more careful with so called LEs in the future. I guess marketing does work... Ken
Ken...I think
By: CL : November 28th, 2017-15:02
you should consider getingt the Credor eichi 2 Super accurate and somewhat similar vibe with your LF.
I think LE are pointless when it comes to Independants
By: beerstyle : November 28th, 2017-17:32
because most of them are willing to customize your watch for you, for a modest fee or if you are lucky, free of charge. most important was the customer service and the watch was fixed and in good condition when you got it back. Glad you have moved on but ...
Commitment goes both ways
By: kykw : November 29th, 2017-14:58
Thanks for your comment, Winston. The fundamental argument lies in whether I should've expected the piece to remain 'relatively unique' when I paid a premium for what was sold to me as such. Customization/creating my piece unique would be an option, and i...
If I may suggest
By: Gelato Monster : November 28th, 2017-17:59
Gronefeld 1941 Remontoire is perfect time only replacement to LF
Gronefeld makes some very fine watches.
By: kykw : November 29th, 2017-15:01
Thanks for the suggestion! I have a slight preference for the parallax tourbillon over the remontoire in its lineup, too bad it won't fit me as I wear my watch on the right wrist. Ken
They are a business after all
By: alphabeta81 : November 29th, 2017-06:06
They don't charge the prices to make a truly piece unique on a time only enamel dial. We all know the story about Kari too and how the brand grew. It's the difference between getting a one off piece from an artisan (say, for example, customizing a newly c...
There're different ways to running a business
By: kykw : November 29th, 2017-15:46
Thanks for your comment. Of course it's a business. In spite of my disappointment, I truly hope that they make a healthy profit from selling their pieces, because it's the only way they'll keep creating new ones. One of the appeals for indies (to me anywa...
Just saying
By: Jocke - Bad Santa : November 29th, 2017-11:52
I guess my comments is worthless when I have a WG DayDate with a Platinum dial. LOLOL
Very big disappointment
By: jim vancouver : November 29th, 2017-23:11
I'm sorry about your situation. Thanks for sharing. Lesson learned for me.
It isn't just because of the steel piece.
By: kykw : December 1st, 2017-18:20
Thanks for sharing your view, Christian. You're right that the chance of meeting someone with the same LF (platinum or steel) would be slim. It'll most likely lead to a fun conversation even in such case. The key issue for me here is commitment (on both s...
Sympathy
By: ztirual : December 5th, 2017-09:07
Hello, I fully understand your disappointment. Limited editions are limited editions and so they should be. There aren't any longer "limited" if what constitutes their exclusivity is reproduced thereafter. Your sensitivity to this dimension was probably a...
I had similar experiences
By: watch-er : January 23rd, 2018-17:19
with many top brands. Attention to detail is often not there. I gave up on watches in the early 90's too many headaches. Got back in around 2010 and it seems better.
There are two things in your post which are very interesting.
By: amanico : January 25th, 2018-05:53
1/ The Fact that LF took care of your watch. Good point. There are too often disappointments on that matter that when a normal treatment happens, it seems extraordinary while it is just normal. 2/ The notion of exclusivity. I do get your point, but I lear...