Independent Conundrum

Oct 24, 2018,22:42 PM
 

Hope everyone here is having a spectacular week and so are his/ her watches.

Considering buying my first independent after owning a few Patek and Rolex, but I am in a fix and was hoping someone would point me in the right direction though I have tried looking pretty much everywhere myself.

I am looking for a dress'y' watch (not strictly dress), has to be 36mm or less, white metal. Movement finishing is top priority. Some of the watches I like are the 1941 Gronefeld Remontoir (at 39.5 though, its a tad too large) and the Dufour Simplicity (I don't need to state why I cannot buy said watch smile ) and the LUC Salmon Limited Edn. (but dont like how the date disc hangs below the small seconds). Have looked at the AdC models as well, but not blown away by their movements and I think the asking price is too discordant with what is on offer. I would like to keep the cost around 50-60k USD, though I can be a little flexible.


Am I missing anything? Seems like this is driving me a little insane.


More posts: DufourDufour Simplicity

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Welcome to the forum!

 
 By: sham1 : October 24th, 2018-23:16
Thank you for your post and I know of only one independent who I would thoroughly recommend based on your budget and your 36mm or below size requirement. I have a small wrist too so I can understand the size requirement. Although the Gronefeld Remontoire ...  

I have come across them

 
 By: Anirudh : October 24th, 2018-23:22
Love the concept but find the movement finishing to be a little bland. I think I need to try the Gronefeld on the wrist before I count it out completely.

I personally hope to add

 
 By: sham1 : October 24th, 2018-23:25
a Gronefeld before the run of 188 remontoires run out towards the end of 2019. You will smile uncontrollably once the watch is on your wrist!!

It is a little bland. [nt]

 
 By: Gelato Monster : October 25th, 2018-03:31

True!

 
 By: sham1 : October 25th, 2018-03:53
But it could be said to define understated elegance.

So sorry!

 
 By: sham1 : October 24th, 2018-23:23
Just noticed that you had already mentioned Adc! I missed that. Not many independents would offer watches below 36mm. Try Kikuchi Nakagawa at 36.8mm and which costs about USD20k. Great finishing and he uses a vaucher movement. Extremely limited production...  

As not all watches mentioned are from Independents

 
 By: dedestexhes : October 24th, 2018-23:37
You could look at a compromise with the little Lange 1 in platinum? At 36mm and very good movement finish it might still fit the bill? Br, Dirk

Only watch that i can think of right now is the Akrivia RR Chronometre

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : October 25th, 2018-00:03
Still a 38 mm watch but it will tick all your wishes imo . I think they are sold out now but maybe there are one or two still available through a AD .

I totally agree!

 
 By: sham1 : October 25th, 2018-00:04
It may be 38mm but the lugs curve.

And if you want something really special

 
 By: sham1 : October 25th, 2018-00:11
Kari Voutilainen would be happy to make you a Vingt 8 in a 37mm case. He normally does it in 39mm but he has told me that the movement can fit in a 37mm case. The watch below is an example of one with a 37m case where the movement fills up the case back e...  

Kari

 
 By: Anirudh : October 25th, 2018-00:52
Do you happen to have an idea what a bespoke order like this would cost? I understand that question is illogical considering the wide range of components that can be customized, but what do these start at?

72000 CHF

 
 By: sham1 : October 25th, 2018-00:59
This is the starting price for his range and Kari never changes his prices irrespective of supply and demand.

Kari the ultimate independent [nt]

 
 By: Gelato Monster : October 25th, 2018-03:33

One of the best undoubtedly

 
 By: sham1 : October 25th, 2018-03:53
but I shall place Roger W Smith in at least the same league.

aah true

 
 By: Gelato Monster : October 25th, 2018-04:17
same league different style.

Agreed :-) [nt]

 
 By: sham1 : October 25th, 2018-04:34