Independents

sidneyc
2009

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A little background about the purchase...

Hi everyone,

Again thanks for all the support given and it's really my pleasure to share with you these photos. You guys are just so inspiring and encouraging that I find it an honor to be in this forum! I apologise for posting them hastily and so didn't manage to tell the story with the photos. In case anyone's interested, I'd share my acquisition experience here. I know many of us here have gone through a very similar path. Please forgive me if it bores you for I'm not a very good storyteller

I have to say a couple of years ago although I'm very passionate about watches I know relatively very little about watches (not that I know a lot now) and I only knew about PP, VC, AP etc being the best of the best, and the more complications the better. Little did I know about the world of Independents, these masters of their crafts that produce some of the most amazing watches in the world but are virtually unheard of to the general public. I have gained more knowledge about watches through watch magazines, introducing me to other top tier brands such as Lange & Sohne (which is currently my favourite big house brand) that are equally magnificent but arguably lesser known than their top Swiss counterparts. Ever since I've joined the forums, it continue to be an eye opener for me. A lot of you guys here that are even more passionate than I am, eagerly sharing your experience and knowledge with all kinds of watches that I have never heard of before, brought another level of "haute horlogerie" before my eyes.

In 2009, I have added a Langematik and a Journe Octa Reserve de Marche to my very small collection. Lange to me represent the best of the big manufacturers, and Journe is one of the most successful Independents. The Journe is my first watch from an Independent watchmaker, my first step into a different world of horlogerie. It is a slippery slope.

Once I have my mind around to the Independents, I start to admire creations by Dufour, Voutilainen, De Bethune,  just to name a few. I start to appreciate why a simple 3-hand watch by Dufour cost the same as a tourbillon by, say, JLC. I get astonished by subtle differences in finishing, such as anglage, between, say my Lange and my JLC under a 4x loupe, while my wife wonder what the big deal is.

When I saw Craig LA's photos of his gorgeous DB15 I was captured by it's beauty. The unique spherical moonphase, the classic yet brave design cues, and the technology in the watch, won me over totally. But it was one that I liked but never have thought about owning because 1) I have never seen a local AD carry this brand, 2) it's MSRP. I also love the Voutilainen Observatoire's having seen photos posted by their generous owners here, and I continue to drool over such postings. Additionally, when Lange announced the Zeitwerk and FX and a few others have kindly shared their perfect wrist shots with the Zeitwerk, my heart skipped a beat. These 3 are my favourite out of all favourites but I only dare have them in my "wish/dream list" as the price of these watches are all over my budget.

Then out of the blue, one day I was offered an opportunity to acquire this DB15 for a price I simply could not resist. The watch is in as new condition (no scruffs at all and looks unworn) but is a few years old. The downside is that I have to part ways with one of my other watches to get enough funds for it. I didn't hesitate at all as I know I'll be kicking myself in the head if I let this opportunity lapse. A few weeks later I'm one VERY happy man, with a very UNHAPPY and shattered piggy bank. And as Nico said, there's only 1 De Bethune QP but there can be multiple piggy banks

Before the acquisition, I have my Master Compressor and Langematik for weekday, and my Octa RdM and Master Moon for weekends. Now I can have the Master Moon on weekday rotations as well and the DB15 for the weekend rotations (which is handy since both the Octa RdM and DB15 have 5 day power reserve).

Thanks for reading my story and thanks for all the knowledge, the eye candies, and the entertainment that you guys have given me! I hope everybody have a very fruitful (in watch collection) year in 2010