Independents

aardvarkbark
114

• Show profile
• Show other posts

I'm eager to see this first hand...

I recently acquired the Monard (erm...Endeavour) Big Date and Monard (oiy...Endeavour!) Centre Seconds.  I very much like the shape of the case on those.  This appears to be a more svelt version of it.  I'd think the 39mm will be an ideal case size since that wisp of a bezel will yield a vast visible dial surface which I imagine will appear larger than it's spec would suggest.  That domed crystal has a handsome vintage look to it.  Did you notice much glare from its form?  I do wonder whether it will be a whack magnet.  The convex dial looks more pronounced in their media images than in the few pictures I've seen, including yours.

I intend to add a rose gold, grey dial dress piece to the collection this year and have been strongly considering the Arnold and Son HMS1, but am now considering this Venturer Slate as an alternative.  Both of my Monards had defects upon delivery and were immediately dispatched to Alkis in NYC for service (one of the biggest reasons I felt comfortable acquiring Mosers is because Mr Kotsopoulos, the sole authorized watchmaker for servicing Langes in the US and who enjoys an impeccable reputation amongst Lange owners, is also the sole authorized watchmaker for servicing Moser here).  As much as I appreciate Alkis' skills, if the movement has a flaw that the company won't stand behind, my Moser buying will be over.  But I've read interviews with their new CEO Meylan in which he has stated that new owner/managers are committed to quality and customer satisfaction, so I'm optimistic that I'll be adding a Venturer.

I understand they intend to introduce another new line in 2016, plus increase production from their current 1,000 pieces annually to possibly 3,000.  I like that not only are they immune from any decisions by Mr Hayek to limit ETA ebauche availability beyond Swatch Group brands (as recently upheld in Swiss court), but that with their in-house Straumann hairspring, they won't miss a beat should Nivarox be allowed to cease supply to non-Swatch brands of the 'bits and pieces.'  I don't understand the physical characteristics of the Straumann, but I don't get the impression that it has the non-magnetic properties of the parachrom bleu nor certainly of the Si-14.  I wonder if having the pallet fork and escape wheel made of silicon is sufficient to provide an equal degree of protection against magnetization, or if they'll need to eventually add a silicium hairspring to stay competitive in their segment, especially with Breguet.