Euroasianstar
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Grönefeld versus other independents
Fellow WIS,
I am paring down my collection to shift from quantity to quality. Goal would be to have around 8 pieces with a good balance between beaters, vintage Rolex and/or PP investment pieces and two or three bespoke independents. One of the indie slots is already taken by an FPJ.
For the independent slot, Grönefeld has appeared on my radar. I like the philosophy, the dimensions and the modern high end movement architecture and finish. I don’t like so much the logo font and somewhat overstylized case design.
I wanted to reach out to those of you who own or have handled Grönefeld watches, specifically in terms of the following questions:
1- how do they stack up vs the high(er) volume independents like FPJ and the truly niche AHCI-level players like KV in terms of quality of finish?
2- thoughts on the highly subjective topic of design and visual appeal (aside from the usual “buy what you like” comment)? Feel free to weigh in with personal opinions and what would constitute your perfect Grönefeld (case material, dial, movement)
3-any other brands I should consider?
For some background: My reduced collection has freed up some funds so there is a decent budget to allocate to this. In terms of usage this would be a fairly regular beater worn in a business and informal setting. I prefer low key, low profile watches that I buy and enjoy for myself only - ideally customized to my specs.
Thank you for your comments.
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Grönefeld versus other independents
Fellow WIS, I am paring down my collection to shift from quantity to quality. Goal would be to have around 8 pieces with a good balance between beaters, vintage Rolex and/or PP investment pieces and two or three bespoke independents. One of the indie slot...
Thats a tough one .
I love independent watchmakers and all of the brands you told us , still all i can say is ,, buy what you like,, A gronefeld isnt a Kari V or a Romain G or FPJ . All amazing brands that one day i would love to own . A Gronefeld (dont know which one you ha...
IMHO since you are going for one or two independents (I imagine) then I would make the following suggestion. I agree with much said above and the choices are wide and diverse. I enjoy a number if independents and cherish them and the stories that come
with them. The opportunity to get a personal and special watch and memory from most of these independents. If I was to chose however it would be KV and Roger Smith.
In my experience, it is very difficult to 'compare' to other indies.
Each one is distinguishable by something else. Truly, it is difficult to compare say a KV, whose main identifiers are the dial and detail of finishing and a Gauthier, whose strength is in the chain movement. I would visit every place I could and try on ev...
A list
Beat Haladimann, Jean Daniel Nicolas(Daniel Roth), Greubel Forsey, Jean Baptiste Viot, Lang Heyne, Laurent Ferrier, Moritz Grossmann, Paul Gerber, Rexhep Rexhepi for more traditional watchmaking. Cabestan, Debethune, Gerald Genta(older watches before take...
Add to the list
Ludovic Ballouard, Thomas Prescher, Romain Gauthier (logical one) Even more "home made" Masahiro Kikuno and Aaron Bescei
Some more that I like
Andreas Strehler, Armin Strom resonance, Atelier de Chronometrie, Charles Frodsham, Christian Klings, Oscillon, Hajime Asaoka and Urban Jurgensen
For something low-key, Parmigiani Fleurier might be worth considering as well
A Kalpa Hebdomadaire would be in a similar price range. The design might not be to everyone's liking, but the movement is incredibly well finished and has an insane number of interior angles. That being said, I'd probably still opt for a Gronefeld
2nder for the Parmigiani 8 days movement
Though I prefer the Ionica case. I just wish they don't make this movement with a date function, and it would be perfect for me.
Hahahaha
This is exactly why 3 independent is not enough. What a deep troubling hobby we are in. My personal choice are Grönefeld, KV, Hajime Asaoka, Romain Gauthier, Masahiro Kikuno, Urwerk, Rexhep Rexhepi, FPJ. I prioritize movement ingenuity before finish perfe...
I own an URWERK and an fpj CENTIGRAPHE
My next one definitely is a principia In fact I’m in final design touches with Bert Grönefeld who is super amazing
Hi Riddler.
What made you decide in favor of a Grönefeld rather than one of the Swiss or Germans?
Where do one start
The main factor is the movement design, exceptional finish and structure The dial is sublime The case is perfect size And then there’s the owners and their communication with the buyer I will be super happy once I go and collect it myself from them person...
Are there design choices outside of the pre-selected dial and case configs?
Was wondering if you were able to change any aspects of the watch outside of the scope of the dial and case?
I think the Principia
Has to be one of the existing offered combinations. Requested a slight modification to the salmon dial and wasn't possible. No worries on my end and can't wait for the piece to arrive.
Each of them has its own universe. I love KV, which are exquisite watches, but I would rather go for Gronefeld, and the Prinicipia which has a good price quality ratio, even if it is not
What we can call affordable, but it is a good compromise and a very exciting watch, comfortable, well made, cool and elegant, with a great automatic movement. Best, Nicolas
Hi Nicolas.
Thanks for your feedback. I agree that the Principia is hard to beat at this price point though far from affordable. Is there anything else in that price bracket that you would consider both new and pre owned? On a related topic: I also saw that you’re a ...
The Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar is a model I know quite well, indeed. I covered it in 2013 and wrote an article you will find on our JLC forum.
It is an excellent watch I highly recommend in steel black dial, which is cool, strong and elegant. The case is an asset, top elegant. The only flaw, the year window which takes a bit of the dial balance. Other than that, an excellent watch. Try to fond a...
I agree 100%
Would really love to own a Kari one day as well. In the meantime I have a Kari dialed Sarpaneva 👍
I have youtube videos of all of these (TickTocking)
Not as good as seeing them in person, but it's the next best thing. I suggest watching some and drawing your own conclusions. The beauty of independent watchmaking is that each creator has his (or her!) own point of view. Choosing these is a matter of ref...
Another brand to consider
I discovered Ferdinand Berthoud at SIHH this year. Quite extraordinary. The fusée chain mouvement is astonishing. Case design is both innovative, with little portholes to see the mouvement from the side, and traditional, with an hexagonal shape. It works ...
Love Gronefeld
Manage to preview some of their watches like the Remontaire and the Parallax and love it. Among the independents, this one is high on my list. Replying your questions 1) They are as good if not better IMHO vs FPJ and KV, both of which unfortunately don't ...
Same boat
I am looking for the exact same thing As my first independent watch, I will go with someone who is more well known I suppose (I will literally choose from GPHG award) Now come down to Roger W Smith Urban Jürgensen Kari Voutilainen FP Journe Each with own ...
You can have pretty much anything...
Custom made if you go with Kari. He matches perfect with your requirements! Also note that his Vingt-8 movement has a rather special double impulse escapement, which brings it into another technical level. I really like these little special details, much ...
which Gronefeld
I have the 1941 REmointore Bespoke dial. I have not compared in person to KV but the finishing and back side is hard to beat. Of all my watches-- I get more comments about this one and I am not around watch folks very often. If you have more specific ques...
