there are some small companies like MIng that take months to deliver the watch after launch. I recall once leaving a 50% deposit on a 17.09 and 11 months later, I was asked to pay the balance before delivery and was taken by surprise as I had totally forgotten I had ordered it! Yes totally my fault
But in general yes, the smaller independents seem to have better control of distribution or perhaps the bigger companies tend to rest on their laurels since they have a loyal and well established customer base.