Independents

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Nick - for the most part, you and I are on exactly the same page

What I took exception to is the downplay that somehow macro photography was being lauded rather than the finish itself.  Macro photography has made the finish all the more open to close, clear, and public scrutiny, and hence getting it right is now required in the same exacting detail.  Finishing on the plates and bridges does matter in terms of the some surfaces moving against each other; winding barrels for example.  However, yes, for the most part, the finishing on bridges and plates is a matter of craft, detail, the love of finishing as an example of excellence, attention to detail, and for the love of the details.  GF finishing is on a par with Daniels.  I have seen both close up.  Smith, along with Greubel-Forsey set out to revive the finishing seen in English and French watches and clocks (before the rise of usurping Swiss and the Geneva stripes - joking here ).  All the craft and knowledge had all but disappeared.  Suitbert or John D (ei8htohms) would be better at explaining this than I, and have more knowledge, but the finish helps preserve the nature and philosphy of the watchmaker.

A picture again:

From Stephens own Quadruple Tourbillon protoype.  Note how the moving parts are all finished to the exacting detail required in the finished watch, whereas the plates and bridges are left rough and coarse.  Yes, you do not need finishing to make the watch more accurate or be a better timekeeping instrument, however, that is not the complete craft and artistry of the watchmaker.  The craft and artistry of the watchmaker are emodied in the finished article; the watch they will leave as testimony of the their skill and ability as a watchmaker.  How the watch is finished, and the type of finish are therefore an integral part.

How this finishing appeals to you is a subjective choice and if the 'industrial' finish of the Grand Seiko is more appealing to you (and let me state here that I do love the Grand Seiko watches myself), then it is probably the case that the watches of GF, Smith, and Daniels would not.

However, completely agree with the Observatory competitions and would like to see all watchmakers/firms entered against each other.

Cheers

Andrew H