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Ok, I understand.
And how do you feel about these Roger W. Smith calibers: anathema or not?
LOve it, I have one on order but..
I'm not sure if I will be buying as it went up in price like $70k USD since I placed my order. That's a bug jump. I'm still mulling it over.
Isn't the price fixed
after you paid your deposit? Or was it made clear to you the final price is still subject to changes?
With Frodsham
the deposit is refundable and one is obliged to pay the price prevailing when the watch is finally ready.
If it is any consolation,
the resale value is a lot higher than the 70k USD price increase
Is that for the 22 carat yellow gold model
or for the stainless steel model?! The watch rarely comes up in auction so a healthy premium is assured.
It has risen since 2018.
I worked there for a few months in 2019 and the prices were £68k, £71k and £74k (steel, 18k and 22k). Premium for precious over steel was reasonable. But I think the overall operating costs of these types of businesses have probably gone up over 7 years s...
Yes I visited Frodsham in 2018
and did post an article on the forum on the Frodsham. In 2021, I finally ordered a steel model due for a 2027 delivery but I feel the price increases have been justified. I actually still feel the Frodsham is good value taken into account its complex move...
I believe that it's fair to compare the two.
Especially considering the number of watches they make, similar techniques, waiting lists etc. Roger did seem to apply a significant premium a little while back and I suspect this happened when he saw resale (nothing wrong with trying to get a little more...
Absolutely!
But I think Roger misjudged the market and increased his prices dramatically in May 2023 just as the market started its downturn in the used market and the effects of the covid era was wearing out.
Good for you!
Well done on ordering a very special watch whichever Series it might be.
Does he give you one year lead time on when your order will be complete? And when is the total balance due?
Knowing my luck I'll get hammered by this and KV in the same calendar year although I hope they will be different years.
Well,
I have not received any notification as to when in 2027 my watch will be delivered although Richard Stenning did confirm a few months ago that 2027 is still on. But according to a friend of mine who is due to receive his this year, a 9 to 12 months notifi...
Wow that balance bridge is phenomenal
Love a big balance wheel as well with pleasant looking gear layout.
I believe it would be anathema to have introduced that style of finishing (my opinion)
See comparison of the wristwatch and one of the early 20th century JP Morgan caliper watches (split second chrono, repeater, tourbillon). The finish was traditionally perfectly frosted bridges and plates contrasted against black polish steel. This is argu...
Ok, I understand.
And how do you feel about these Roger W. Smith calibers: anathema or not? ...
Interesting question
my apologies to interrupt the conversation, is it traditional, more or less, British way of finishing? I prefer Swiss finishing, it is so visually pleasing, but appreciate British, subtle, approach.
Overall, they are not anathema to English watchmaking! Perhaps idiosyncratic in today's market.
Roger certainly aims for an even more obvious connection to past practitioners of this style of finishing (Breguet and Daniels being the obvious references). I think CF has perhaps administered a slightly more modern take with the zirconium oxide dial, pv...
For me, they have a lot in common, but I just like the sharper or more angular bridges of RWS compared to CF.
In the examples of CF movements you have shown above, I find the main bridge (3/4 bridge?) cutout around the balance wheel and Y bridge too rounded. Just an aesthetic personal preference. Best, Emmanuel
