Independents

TimJackson
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OK, my answers...

Hi Al,
In my response to your post, I didn't want to get into lengthy discussions of actual costs of components etc. I don't have exact cost prices, but I do know the differences in parts and finishes, and the time taken to get the finished product.
I do know this that, those that understand what is involved in making a Dufour or R.W. Smith, and obviously like the aesthetic of the finished pieces, together with the watchmaker and his philosophy, have no problem paying the price.

As to the dial question, I  think you know that Roger's are infinitely more complex to make being multi-layered, with the guilloche on 3 different layers. I do not know for a fact that Dufour's dials aren't hand guilloched, so assuming they are hand done, the name printing on Roger's dial engraved first by hand and then painted by hand, takes more time and skill for sure. This simply adds up to costing more. It is not to say it is better, just costs more to execute.

The hand's question, I'm pretty sure Dufour's hands are made by a company that has taken his design and is producing them by machine. Roger's are hand crafted from the start. If someone has other knowledge, please let me know.
Ultimately, the price is determined by how much it costs to make...Whether or not buyers will pay is up to them. There is little to no advertising and marketing budget from what I can tell, other than the occasional show like Basel and Tempus, where these guys get some exposure. Contrast this with the Ad's one regularly sees for the big watch companies.

I wholly agree that the market will determine whether or not these watches sell at these prices. It is of course a different market than the mainstream watch buying market. Therein lies the difference.  These watches are for those that understand and appreciate the watchmaker and get what his philosophy on watchmaking is. They are not for most collectors in my opinion.
Can they be appreciated by many, certainly, but it takes a level of trust in one's understanding and appreciation that most don't truly have to be comfortable paying these prices. After all, they just tell the time.

I guess it comes down to why do people pay for a hand made suit, when you can buy a lovely Armani off the shelf or whoever else takes your fancy...I do know this though, there are those willing to pay.

Hope this helps clarify.

Warm regards,

Tim