Independents

There is now a 2.5 to 3 year wait on a new De Bethune order. It seems like less than a year ago dealers were desperate to unload these watches. Just incredible. ...  

auction houses. They have the Midas touch, not sure how.

Bubble hasn't popped yet.

Something a number of excellent watchmakers have failed to do even while still alive. I hope FPJ avoids the Roger Dubuis, Franck Muller (etc.) fate entirely. We'll see! But haute horology hype generally feels like a bubble.

Because these prices and wait times are starting to get old.

It’s several hundred so a small single digit thousand number of new collectors per year or in total, allocating enough capital into a relatively small set of references which is bolstering prices. and this will continue, for many, many years from now.

...are doing quite well.

(With Rechepi not counted since it seems impossible to get a hold of his chronometre.) I admire DB for their avant-garde work and innovation. LF is much more traditional and lower key but in a fantastic quality, both in terms of craftsmanship and design. ... 

Always was It is amazing what a dealer with a bit of cash can do ... As with Journe, definitely have mixed feelings about the sudden scarcity.

Glad to hear they are doing better. My next grail piece will either be a De Bethune, Gauthier, or MB&F. All offer so much watch for the money relative to brands like patek.

Very innovative and amazing watches . Love them

I am glad to see their success. They have a certain niche having moved from more classically styled watches to more avant garde with some cutting edge design and technology. It’s good for the overall industry to have these choices.

Like some have mentioned, really happy for the success the brand is experiencing but worried/hope they do not follow the fate of other indie brands! Hope other brands, like julien coudray, can experience this same success!

After difficult times where many were worried for the future of DB, the brand becomes really sought after by collectors again, I am glad for them. That reminds me of this fantastic visit of the manufacture with Denis Flageollet and a group of Purists in 2... 

From pretty much ignored despite huge technical merit to super hype and waiting lists. I know others have seen a big change in fortunes or consumer recognition but this one seems to have taken the biggest leap. Is that an unfair view?

Where did this even come from, deserved though it is? I always thought it was weird RM was so hyped while DeB was barely alive.

Last year I did some ad hoc research and wrote an article on the same question, who might be the next FPJ. I looked at the success factors of FPJ and scored brands on the same factors. The results showed De Bethune scored the highest. I copy some pages he...  

The wait worth.

I haven't bought anything other than a G-shock and a Seiko spring drive tuna can, to scratch my watch itch while the craziness calms down. To quote Warren Buffet "When everyone is being cautious be greedy and when everyone is being greedy be cautious".

I was able to order my DeBethune at a significant discount still. Don’t think that would happen now

My Porsches are practically back up to MSRP after I have put considerable miles on them. It's crazy right now with everything not just watches.

Unless this is a recalibration of pricing fueled by inflation

C24 listings went from 30-40 to 20-30 and now 10 De Bethunes. There's definitely some supply fixing going on but also some true increased demand partly from hype but partly I think because the latest designs seem to be resonating. When 5711 and CB's are $... 

Only time will tell, but I personally feel like DB makes much more interesting watches than FPJ and this enthusiasm for DB may be less hype and more of a long overdue rediscovery.

will drop considerably over the next couple years as the welcome wagon moves on to the next 'me too!' hype watch.