tom_hanx
127
Independent for the mere mortals [a.k.a. can I afford one?]
Hello fellow PuristS,
Will try and keep it short without the usual long-time-reader-first-time-poster thingie.
I am in love with De Bethune but like many, do not have the moolah to buy one. The DB25 is holding my heart and soul hostage: 
(thank you to pifpaf for this image, cross-linked from the AHCI section)
So, what I am trying to understand is this: assuming a ballpark budget of 5k, is there any independent watchmaker who has a similarly priced offer? There are lots and lots of good brands, Zenith, Rolex, JLC that have offerings in this bracket but none can match the appeal of an independent watchmaker (not even mentioning DeBethune here)
Thanks for reading and sharing your comments/ideas.
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Independent for the mere mortals [a.k.a. can I afford one?]
Hello fellow PuristS, Will try and keep it short without the usual long-time-reader-first-time-poster thingie. I am in love with De Bethune but like many, do not have the moolah to buy one. The DB25 is holding my heart and soul hostage: (thank you to pifp...
Small, independent manufacture yes, individual horologists not yet
Your price range: Ochs und Junior MIH Pita Habring^2 Paul Gerber That's all that I can think of! I would pocket that 5k and wait until you can get a Sarpaneva or Speake-Marin. Amongst the smaller-scale independents, those two watchmakers seem to be the mo...
That's another possible path...
Hold on to the budget in hopes I can score a pre-owned high-end. The strange thing about AP - they only have one model (the Jules Audemars) which appeals to me visually. And it is too small @36mm for me. The PP is a classic, I agree - the Aquanaut 5167 is...
Try this....
Nobody mentioned this one, and for the price range, for me is the best option!! For 5k you can custom order yours. W&F, check them out, great people, great watches, very affordable. www.wf-atelier.eu...
Independents...
Hi Thom, Welcome to the forum! Having the money for ones dreams is of course not a given, but that the independent's watches are expensive has to do with the time for making just small quantities of watches. Although Patek and AP may be independent entiti...
Another welcome, Tom…
Always good to see someone prepared to back an Independent. If you are happy with the aesthetic of the earlier models and if you are prepared to go pre-loved, you may be closer to a De Bethune than you think. Still pre-loved, but at around your budget, B....
How much for an "older" De Bethune? :)
Guys, I thank you all for sharing with me. Must admit, some of the recommendations I already know, some are off to my taste (beauty is in the eye of the beholder) and some are out right intriguing!!! Exactly how close am I to one of the "older" De Bethune...
As you know, Tom...
...we shouldn't be discussing price here, but that is why God in Her infinite wisdom (lower-case...) invented the search function on the Collectors Market forum. You like guilloche, you say? Benzinger too fancy for you, you say? Are you sure? ..... Cheers...
Oh, my word...
This is a great looking piece - are you sure it is within reach? Most of the models I found on their website were north of 5k Thanks for the tip on pricing - I did find a few "old" Bethunes, two very, VERY close to my budget. Cheers for the support, pplat...
Pre-owned, previous models is the best route...
As sensational as DB is--and I am a HUUUUUGE fan... they have very modest resale value--like so many brands do, as we all know-- (despair!) so... the upside is... affordable pre-owned, especially previous, discontinued models... I agree that you can get a...
I am increasingly lured into pre-owned DeBethune or H.Moser
Trouble is, these pop up pre-owned just a few times a year... But it seems this will be well worth the wait and hunt, from all I read. There is also the eternal protagonist (in my books) called JLC AMVOX1 - which is within reach. Quite different in style ...
The Habrings
A relatively young company, but Richard Habring is a highly accomplished watchmaker who, among other things: 1) designed Tourbillons for IWC 2) designed a rattrapante that was affordable 3) improved upon the 2892 that ETA incorporated the improvements int...
Habring2 +1
They make very good dials indeed. My wife hates watches but mentions how she likes my Time Only Felsa fairly regularly. Couldn't care less about my Omegas or AP. Besides "independent" status, they're great communicative and really want clients to be happy...
Habring2 +3
You indicate that you like clean, simple and beautiful, without excessive decoration--the Habrings produce that in spades, and are wonderful to work with. I strongly suggest contacting them/perusing whatever pictures you can find. Cheers, Daniel
You may try the Goldpfeil series
Frank Jutzi (I think that's how its spelt) had a nice regulateur. The MIH whcih others have suggested is also a very very nice piece for that price and Embassy is a gem to deal with.
The Jutzi, Arthur...
...is beautifully finished but is still a little beyond Tom's budget; moreover, it seems he is not so fond of regulators. That's a shame.... Cheers, pplater....
Regulators are not for me, guys...
I am a simple classic boy 3-hand and a date make me happy
Ah, but have you seen the Ressence? Or the Sattler Watch with Habring's Dead Second Hand?
the Ressence is an engineering marvel! And the Sattler watch is gorgeous! J
Even customization is possible ...
with your budget ... colour of the dial, the strap ... You should have a look at the Blog of Ochs & Junior, to see some of their novelties - Tinta Mese, Tinta Due Ore, Tinta Selene. Just my 2-cent Oliver...
I can't help you that much ...
... but as you are, I'm just crazy about De Bethune's DB25 masterpiece ... I can only give you some pics and wish you to find the right time to purchase a second hand DB watch. Best, Mark This message has been edited by Borale on 2011-07-27 14:35:14...
Some....
Take a look at D. Dornblueth and Sohne as I have a 99.0 and love it. Sarpaneva and RGM have some in that price range and I own both brands.
Some good suggestions
I would add a couple, though they may not hold the same style as the DB you pointed out. Nomos I believe can be considered independent. $5K and under and you get in-house calibers with a truly unique style. On the other end of the scale (style wise) there...