Independents

Following on from this thread: 7/ I contacted Laurent Ferrier SA and asked them what, " long term plans existed in your company in the sad event that you could not continue the business in its current form." Today, I received the following reply within o...  

it will rely that in the event of a liquidation that the component designs are saved, in a structured way, and then on the availability of the information to turn into actual parts and on what basis and price by what route to the end user. A separate obse... 

BUT also for all small watch companies, Independents, mostly... If I didn't have these questions in mind, it would have been a relatively long time I'd own a Laurent Ferrier, or a Kari Voutilainen. Best, Nicolas

Is L. Ferrier just an assembler? Did those suppliers make the finishing? I guess these questions are very interesting and the answers could be a bit shocking. I'll be honest, i can't afford it but i've always considered Ferrier one of the most appealing i... 

And I understand in house. Personally I don’t have a problem with this. It’s a realistic approach and not disguised unlike some others we could shame. It also keeps the cost down.

Swiss made is such a misty definition; no one really knows what IN HOUSE means. They produce 100 watches/year, but the prices are higher than Journe, with less complications. Still a great watchmaker, but no longer at the top (at least for me).

... what is your opinion about the new De Bethune? Do the new shareholders provide more reassurance about a wonderful independent brand which had some financial difficulties in the near past (or at least this is what I perceived)? Thanks in advance to any... 

And most of the time, succession of business is more at risk in smaller company, I believe the CEO has tried her best to explain even the company is out of business there would be some watchmakers able to repair and service it watches. However, it is not ... 

Even the big brands may go under or change their practice significantly which can affect the future service. I remember many years ago owning a Brietling the service charge for which was insignificant. The cost of the second service a few years later was ... 

One is used, the other one is kept for parts recovery 🤗🤗🤗🤗 Problem solved

NT

I think the CEO brings some reassurance. She mentions the blueprints for parts. Perhaps this could be something for AHCI to keep an archive of blueprints of the watches of their members if the brand, independent or suppliers disappears. Having access to t... 

I think the AHCI idea is realy good. There must be a way here whilst protecting IP in the right way etc. LF components are 'conventional' with the exception of the escape wheels and lever. I guess as time goes by it will be more 'conventional' to use more... 

velociphile, It's some reassurance tat they've thought about it. The movements are simple and made of traditional materials. Watch repairers/restorers have plied their trade for hundreds of years and those who float to the top in watchmaking have a backgr... 

Hi MTF, The LF escape lever and wheels are somewhat 'special' though ? interested in why you say, "LF watches are more likely to find care in the future than Dufour ones" What makes you say that? What did I miss? Velociphile

LF is on my radar. So excquite. Thanks for sharing the letter. I think she answered the question as honestly as possible given what is known today. Nothing is for certain in the future even with the larger brands and collectors have their vintage pieces s... 

What I found interesting is the parts are not made in-house...basically just assembledcat LF unless I read that wrong

as I understand yes. Procured from throughout the watch industry, to LF specification of performance and tolerance etc, but the laborious effort to finish the parts is made in-house with specialist. In addition, a key point is one watch is made by one wat... 

... unfortunately. I DID love LF watches (love at the first sight), in fact I used own them. Their long term strategy made sense, the movement maker was super top notch, so much so that it made me confident about their future - back then, none of those us... 

When opportunity is there I will.

I love this watch

if we buy independents. I don’t know what you guys are thinking, but I’m on to my second LF. The reason why I buy it is because I think the watch has very high intrinsic value. As with all businesses there are risks involved, but I am of the view that the...