I've been bouncing around researching Rexhepi/Akrivia, Kari Voutilainen, Gronefeld, Roger Smith, Lang & Heyne, Vianney, Gruebel and others. Not including FP Journe because they're too big and certainly not including A. Lange & Sohne because they are very big.
My taste is conservative, 37-39mm dial size, 11mm or less thickness, time only dial with APPLIED indexes/numbers/numerals, and price $50k or less. Need a hauntingly beautiful dial with a (Patek equaling or Patek beating) level of hand-finishing.
What I think I know is Roger Smith is too expensive for me to even consider. Gruebel and Vianney are too wild. Kari V has the beautiful Vingt-8 for around $75k - and it's a mesmerizing offer for certain but expensive. Rexhepi's Chronometre Contemporain is the right size and level of quality, but the dial doesn't have applied indexes. Akrivia offerings get to wild and too large. Lang & Heyne's dials do not have applied markers. Gronefeld has a great entry level selection and seems to be bargain of the independents for me.
Am I missing any independent watch makers that offer something between Gronefeld and Kari Voutilainen?
What would you say is the top independent watch under $50k?
Many thanks!
Robert