ialienam_AUS
82
Same boat
Feb 18, 2019,23:39 PM
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 merits, I want to have my own “touch” too
Eg I like RG logical one but it’s too expensive and big for me
I am looking for
38 to 40mm
Ideally 10mm thickness (or more but easily slip under cuff)
Breguet numeral
Guilloché dial
Innovation for example P8 from UJ I think is pretty amazing
As far as I know KV allows own personal touch?
Comments:
view entire thread
Grönefeld versus other independents
By: Euroasianstar : February 2nd, 2019-01:01
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 .
By: Watchonthewrists : February 2nd, 2019-01:31
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...
In my experience, it is very difficult to 'compare' to other indies.
By: zabreg1 Mr White : February 2nd, 2019-01:55
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
By: nwk00 : February 2nd, 2019-02:33
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
By: Watch_time_it_is : February 2nd, 2019-08:54
Ludovic Ballouard, Thomas Prescher, Romain Gauthier (logical one) Even more "home made" Masahiro Kikuno and Aaron Bescei
Some more that I like
By: nwk00 : February 2nd, 2019-09:55
Andreas Strehler, Armin Strom resonance, Atelier de Chronometrie, Charles Frodsham, Christian Klings, Oscillon, Hajime Asaoka and Urban Jurgensen
2nder for the Parmigiani 8 days movement
By: nwk00 : February 6th, 2019-22:24
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
By: Gelato Monster : February 25th, 2019-16:51
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
By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : February 2nd, 2019-03:57
My next one definitely is a principia In fact I’m in final design touches with Bert Grönefeld who is super amazing
Hi Riddler.
By: Euroasianstar : February 2nd, 2019-07:19
What made you decide in favor of a Grönefeld rather than one of the Swiss or Germans?
Where do one start
By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : February 2nd, 2019-07:33
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...
I think the Principia
By: matto1 : June 8th, 2020-18:56
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
By: amanico : February 2nd, 2019-04:33
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.
By: Euroasianstar : February 2nd, 2019-07:25
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 ...
I agree 100%
By: matto1 : June 8th, 2020-18:58
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)
By: SteveH : February 2nd, 2019-08:17
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
By: David_S : February 2nd, 2019-09:30
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
By: benlee338 : February 8th, 2019-16:39
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
By: ialienam_AUS : February 18th, 2019-23:39
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...
By: Watchcph : June 9th, 2020-06:54
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
By: mark1958a : March 4th, 2019-12:09
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...