Independents

I think you will all agree with me that the Gronefeld Remontoire has been one of those watches that many of us would like to own. Even those among us who are unsure about the long term stability and the after sales service of independent watchmakers canno...  

that the 12 pieces will sell out in no time!!

with baton markers (please see my reply to dedestexhes below) but this salmon dial with arabic numerals has blown me away!!

I actually prefer it to the standard baton markers. My previous favourite dial ...  

The remontoire on the dial and watching it in action was the best part of having this watch on the wrist during the day! I hope Lange does not make a 1815 Tourbillion with the tourbillon not visible dial side!

but I think a visible remontoire on this clean and elegant dial would have spoilt its elegance. Besides, I am all for discreet elegance!! I guess you will not be partial to Patek tourbillons which are all hidden on the reverse side

Hiding it defeats the fun of the complication

Patek do not make many of these watches in the first place and they have priced this in my opinion quite steeply which does not help. I have a limited edition lithograph of the ten day tourbillon's movement in my lounge and I am sure many purists would ju... 

it is the clarity and volume of the sound that matters to me more than the hammers!

I love seeing the remontoire on the dial side. This Salmon Hodinkee is very nice, I would love to own. Its priced well and looks very good. The Bros have said they will make 188 of these movements. Combine that with the choices you get with dial and case,... 

I totally agree one can't go wrong with any Remontoire. The variations available for the dial should satisfy almost every customer!

Sham, we have our disagreements on THIS particular layout, but we both agree - this is one of the best overall watches made in a LONG time - the brothers did an incredible job on the movement and overall aesthetic.

It is almost a compulsory addition to any collection that centres around good finishing and exquisite movement design!

Everything I don't like from the standard one has been fixed in this version. Vte

you were not too keen on the remontoire being visible. I too love this dial and actually do not mind the absence of the visible remontoire. Clean, clear,simple and elegant - perhaps boring for some but discreet elegance has its merits.

Remember the Patek 5270 "Chin" and how it was ridiculed and thus discontinued? The original dials on this piece are clean at 6 o clock. This one has "The Netherlands" written on it (totally unnecessary) and a chin created for it (extra chins are never goo... 

I much prefer the 5270 without the chin. The so called 'chin' on this Remontoire is not at all obvious compared to that on the 5270. In addition, there is nothing wrong with having The Netherlands at the bottom of the dial. Many brands add 'hand made' or ... 

Yes, the 5270 is worse, but this chin breaks the harmony. I LOVE hand made watches, hand craftsmanship. Who cares where in the world it is made? More important, is that it is handcrafted. The original version intelligently says "Handcrafted" there, and th... 

that to be honest does not require the words 'handcrafted' on it. Those in the know know that the watch is hand made. But I think the national identity of the watch does matter to the makers of the watch and we should respect that. Marco Lang of Lang &... 

just to keep the watch to match an every day wear...i would have prefered a silver or black dial. on the face of it i would look much 'normal' watch until you see the beast behind ;-) i'm sure Gronefeld would launch one with such a concept in the future. ... 

I have actually emailed the Gronefeld to ask if an alternative colour dial is possible with arabic numerals. The brothers had to redesign the movement so that governor could be recessed into the movement instead of having it sit laterally above it. A new ... 

having developed an adapted movement, i don't think the brothers will restrict it for just 12 pcs. if they've to use the same movement further with different dial options - that would be wonderful ! i am sold on the fact that the dial is 'time-only' ! Bes... 

If not, I may have to 'settle' for this Hodinkee version!!!

you've got the piece you'll love - that my friend is important ! good luck in your pursuit ! Best, mahesh.,

I always ask myself one question before buying a watch - what else can I get for the same amount of money?! With this particular watch, I cannot think of another watch that I would prefer to own at that price - the closest would be the Rexhep Rexhepi Chro... 

RR CC is a great wear too - wonderful personality, subtle dial & an awesome movement ! Best, mahesh.,

I might only be able to afford one so I shall leave the Rexhep to the other lucky collectors

I find it a bit "odd" to hide the most unique part of the movement-dial-side. The "propeller" is such a cool detail I would hate to cover it up! Best Blomman

Quite a few purists seem to agree with you. Yes I agree the 'propeller' aka governor is a cool detail but I personally would sacrifice it for this clean and classy dial.

I actually had not realised how popular the propeller was (try repeating this sentence quickly!! )

It is not only the propeller , the placement is artistic yet avant garde. I adore asynchronous gorgeousness

I agree the original dial isn't too bad at all

I am missing the remontoire in action! Am I the only one who says that the dial, especially the middle section of it reminds me the 1815 Lange? Somewhere looses the watch her own roots and I don’t like the artificial myth-making of the countless Hodinkee-... 

I actually thought that the steel Remontoires are great value for money, be it this Hodinkee edition or the standard stainless steel watch. I suppose it really depends what you are comparing this watch too. In the world of haute horology, there are few in... 

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They are nicely done and unique. Nonetheless I cant deny my feeling to the truth behind Speedie74 comment.

I must confess I am not very familiar with the Hodinkee range apart from this watch and yes, they are a profit making business which I see nothing wrong in.

(Nice looking movement though)

The legendary George Daniels said that the use of the remontoire is by far the best way of smoothing the power supply, but it is costly and complex to make. It is one of the most complex time only watches currently made arguably surpassed only by A lange ... 

I like to see it a work of art from two master watchmakers rather than a normal Hodinkee limited edition.

It is actually perfect for most of us. The price is not the cheapest but you get what you pay for with this exquisite movement and dial not to mention the rarity value.

Some purists actually miss the visible governor on the dial but I prefer this dial personally.

I think I prefer the original version, also I am not convinced that this newly engineered movement would never make its way through the collection. I can think of another independent that made limited dial variations which in the end were very similar to ... 

but the Remontoire will only be made in 188 pieces in total so that in itself will make it a rare watch. Over a hundred have been made using the original movement and the majority have been in gold making the steel models more rare. 25 steel models will b... 

I know sometimes less is more and i know you like that also . But to be honest if i need to choose between this ,,Hodinkee,, 1941 or the ,,normal,,1941 i think i like the Normal one a bit more because the Remontoire is so cool to look at . But what model ...  

The standard watch definitely looks more modern and I know how you like modern watches! I guess I am just weak when it comes to classic looking watches

Cant go wrong with any of them imho . Would be great to have a wristshot with both of them one day 😉🙏🏻🤗

I hope by the time I can afford one of these that they are still available!!!

..... nice, desired, wanted...... watch! Super nice. Why didn’t I notice this. Gosh, I with I had such cash with me now!!!! Ken

Nonetheless I will choose the original 1000 times over this

Rexhepi Contemporain is an extremely competitive beauty, but IMHO Remontoire movement is more intriguing and exquisite. Nonetheless I would love to have a contemporain someday.

I wish I could own both two but if I had to choose one, it would be the Remontoire for the beauty of its movement.

I guess to see a complication in action is always a treat for many.

My passionate affairs are not usually in numbers

While I do like this version, it’s no doubt a very attractive iteration with the dial colour and numerals, I’m with the majority insofar as preferring to see that little bit of action on the dial side. In some dial variations the governor, to me, looked o... 

I would love to have this version. I think it is more a question of timing for me. If this watch was launched six months from now, I would be posting wrist shots!!!

With one of the 12. It is gorgeous and elegant

To be honest, I will be blessed if I manage to obtain any version of the Remontoire. They are all great watches irrespective of the dial

But if you had to pay for one, which would it be?!

Thanks

There seem to be many who prefer the governor being visible. I prefer the classic dial personally.

So simple in front yet complicated at the back. The other version, to me, is more industrial looking but both versions are nice to each of its own. Price is not cheap but I can definitely see why you fall for this limited version. Wish you all the best in... 

If this watch came up in six months time, I would be posting wrist shots soon but the timing is not the best. Many purists here seem to be in favour of the governor being shown which I must admit has made me think twice. Still, I have my own quirkiness in... 

Without the remontoire window the look is degraded to, well to nothing special really

Until posting this, I never thought of the impact of the governor on the dial. Quite a few people it appears would not buy a Remontoire without it. For me the beauty of the Remontoire has always been the movement at the back which triumphs any other in my... 

and the case design (notice those seductive lugs) because in the regular model, there is only a minimal difference in price between the gold and stainless steel version. Many may not know this but Muslim men are forbidden from wearing gold watches. This u... 

you will be pleased to know that the majority of Remontoires sold have been in rose and white gold so there are many who subscribe to your 'greediness'!

IMHO Remontoire is gorgeous in any metal and exudes different aura in white and yellow metal.

They have been made in rose and white gold but no numbers are available. Not sure if they will do one in platinum either.

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but hey, with so many wonderful finely finished watches in the market, there is always an alternative. I do not think there has ever been a period in watchmaking where more exquisitely finished watches are being offered for sale than there is currently.

as it helps me in my decision making. Nothing left to buy always helps. I am a firm believer of if something is meant to be, then it will be

they had reserved a piece for me! However, on reflection, possibly affected by the number of purists who prefer the original dial, I have informed Hodinkee that I will not proceed with the purchase. Yes ultimately it is for me to wear and enjoy but when b... 

(Not always, though. I do regret passing on a 5712a. It wasn‘t in high demand back then and I spend my money on something else, thinking that I could buy a 5712 later. Man, was i wrong.) And regarding resale value: that‘s always a big gamble, especially w... 

generally when deciding on a large purchase. It took me 8 years before placing an order for a RW Smith Series 2 and a mere 4 years before purchasing my Lang & Heyne Friedrich III. So yes, even a Friedrich III which is a tenth of the cost of the RW Smi... 

very few if any with the name of dealers actually appreciate in value. I personally prefer a watch without the dealer's name on it. But 12 pieces with a different dial and a revised movement is still quite special. I actually emailed Bart and Tim to ask i... 

I feel something is missing...and it doesn’t feel like it’s the 1941 remontoire to me. But if you like it and prefer it this iteration. Then by all means,you should go for it.

Thank you. Perhaps, I shall stick to the original version afterall!!

I love the clean and classic dial even if it foregoes the visible governor.

BUT this watch was created with the visible remontoire dial side. So for me, it is a way to change the initial thoughts/objectives of the creators and I don't like this kind of concept. You alter their vision. Fx

but the fact that the movement too has been revised to accommodate this new dial to me makes this watch more attractive since most limited editions have the same movements as the normal editions.

Only the owner (and a few in the know) would realize that it is a horological powerhouse and a top finished movement on the other side. I really like that. I also like the dial color and style better. It's anathema to me to have holes in the dial that don... 

You and I are in a minority with a handful of others who prefer this dial. I love watches with a stealth look, at least on the dial side! And when one finally sees the movement, it becomes almost a 'phowar!'