a limited edition or a limited production number resembles the watch in the makers aura or DNA so its sort of take it as is or leave it .
i prefer calling it alterations " in the cases where a client is involved in those changes", while variations when its a set of changes sat by the independent " , i would call it controled production in the case of MIH ... however i will stop here with the naming and walk ahead toward my opinion about it .
when an independent open the door for alteration to a client thats doesnt change the fact that those alteration are being made under the DNA of that indepndent brand , due to the fact of watches being produced in small numbers then thats luxury is possible .
in the case of big brands that would be a stormy issue with the big numbers of watches produced imagine the big numbers of alteration requests...
aside from the ideolgy the independent brands offer i believe the free space given to clients plays an interesting factor among collectors.
Faisal