Independents

Slightly more than four months ago, Torsti Laine introduced the V38 in a 38mm case with a Vaucher VMF5401 automatic movement and a 48 hour power reserve. His previous offerings were in 40.5mm which I had tried on and found them too large for my small wris...  

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Thats the manual 41mm version, different hands as well Still a beauty. And big congrats. I too am an appreciator and patron of his work...

This photo was from the Laine website. As I do not take decent photos, I wanted a good photo of the dial. In addition, my watch has Breguet hands which I specifically ordered.

congrats Sham !!

You really need to see this dial in person as the photos don't really show the true beauty of the dial. I have never seen a more beautiful dial to the extent where I am planning my next order with Laine.

Thanks for sharing your experience and photos of your recent purchase!, I've been wondering if in the process of deciding the dial color and guilloche patterns and all, did Laine give you some mock-up photos? some actual dial photos? because I'm not good ... 

when there are so many different variations to choose from which is why I am likely to order another one soon! Torsti Laine did advise me to look at all the dials shown on his website on all the models because he can basically do any dial combination. For... 

Wow, seems quite scary to order withiut seeing it even in pictures first, I love one of their last combinations with salmon outer ring and laine (quite white) guilloche inner dial (the wave pattern). Congrats again!

I know the one you like - hammered salmon outer dial and guilloche white inner dial right? May I politely say that you cannot go wrong with that combination so you will be fine placing an order for such a gorgeous piece., I doubt if this watch will look t... 

I have an Aqua terra 41.5mm I bought a few years back when I wanted a kindda not too small watch, but I have tiny wrists and in the last year or so its thickness (around 13.5mm) and diameter started to look very funny on my wrists (well my taste changed o... 

and probably one of the best value watches out there looking at value versus quality. What many fail to notice about the Saxonia thin is that the patina off the dial is darker and therefore richer in colour than say the Saxonia 35mm. Apart from being thin... 

That he outsources everything neither did I know that they sell only ~60 watches, wow. Well lets see what the future will hold. Thanks!

that it does not really matter if a brand outsources or produces everything in house. Most important is that everything is disclosed and the quality if the end product is beyond reproach. Companies like to produce everything in house as this improves thei... 

Keep us posted if you get another one on your desk soon

Happy watch collecting to you!

Also notice the L on the crown. A nice touch. ...  

but my poor photography that deserves all the credit!

Congratulations Sham! That looks fantastic and I think the 38mm is a fantastic size. The guilloche is lovely.

It just shows that one can buy a really nice watch at the lower end of the price spectrum Hope you have been keeping well my friend.

This photo was taken by Torsti Laine himself on completion of this watch last week. ...  

I am a great fan of Voutilainen but as I wear the watch and ogle at it, I ask myself do I really need a Voutilainen?! Yes the Kari will have a beautiful manual winding movement with a huge balance wheel but the Laine is one of my better purchases lately a...  

but the Laine for me is something quite special. Thank you for your kind comments.

That’s quite the timepiece, and your post is on a #Thorsti_Thursday 😁😁😁 I haven’t seen too many automatic Laine’s around; most of the focus is on the manual calibers This one is both gorgeous and unique Wear it in good health.

Laine had been making his 40.5mm watches with a manual movement so this V38 was quite a departure from his usual range. And I am glad he decided to cater for the smaller wristed folk - yes a manual movement would have been even better but I am not complai... 

I’m a novice to these guilloche dials. What’s the certificate that you attached a photo of? Does Thorsti contract the dials out? Either way, that triple guilloche will hold its own against any offering from another guillocher.

one that authenticates the dial. it actually gives the dial number. Torsti Laine orders his dials from Decors Guilloche as stated on the certificate. I am not a guilloche expert either but I really need to show you this dial one day!

Feel free to post more. ;-) Including live photos of the movement - would be interesting to get a better idea of the level of finishing that Vaucher applies, which is obviously very high in particular relative to the price bucket. That said, of course the... 

This watch is indeed a superb watch in any price bracket let alone the one it falls into. Rarely have I found a watch that has in my opinion almost no flaws. The strap, the buckle, the weight, all perfect!

I too prefer manually wound movements and I find myself winding my automatic watches daily too But this watch is all about the dial. The fact that it has a lovely looking movement is a huge bonus!

Great dial choice. That angle to the right of the Swiss Made writing on the back looks great. :0 What do you think of the finish? Looks way way better than what the big boys offer in the same range?!

The finish of the Vaucher movements (owned by Parmigiani) tend to be better than many of the more illustrious larger brands. The fact that Torsti Laine has engraved the mini rotor makes the movement a bit special. We don't often see mini rotors being engr... 

Yeah Vaucher is really nice. I looked through their site before and didn't see their pieces finished to that extent though so I'm assuming Laine did it himself. You really don't tend to see angles like that unless you go 5x the price. Not helping me resis... 

about another dial variation for the V38. If you order one now, you'd get it before Christmas! (promise, I am not on any commission here! ) Rarely does one find a watch with a mesmersing dial coupled with a well finished movement at a highly attractive pr...  

Part of the agreement that Vaucher has put in place when it outsources its movements is that the movement must remain the same and not be decorated apart from the mini rotor.

I am just surprised not more purists and collectors buy Laine watches because it must be one of the most under rated brands around. Yes the movement may not be proprietary but neither are those used by Pascal Coyon and a certain Mt. Philip Dufour.

Love at first sight is a term loosely used but when I first opened the box, that is exactly how I felt.

Touché. Touché

but my typing skills rival my photography skills

pointed a commonly-unknown fact

for turning fine finishing into an art form!

That is quite the dial. Have fun with it!

Seldom has such apprehensiveness in purchasing a watch especially while opening the packaging earlier today turn into such a pleasant surprise and the ultimate joy! The blue guilloche dial could not have been a better hue.

but I have no idea!

Now that MadDruid nickname is making more sense

😌

I’ve been contemplating switching my original (40.5mm) for this new reference, as like you the smaller watch would be a better fit for my wrist. I’m glad you had the willpower to hold off, and therefore be ultimately rewarded when Laine announced this new... 

With me, no matter how lovely a watch is, it has to fit my small wrist. The AD in Singapore introduced me to this brand two years ago but the 40.5mm watch just felt a tad too large. Unfortunately, the retailer has stopped selling the brand so I am very pl... 

I asked Mr. Laine if he'd consider a precious metal case. He said no, but if he changes his mind, I'll strongly consider it!

as I like my watches as light as possible and precious metal watches tend to be heavier! Okay, okay, admittedly steel is also a lot more affordable, an important factor when one is already retired Hopefully, Laine will be able to accommodate your request ... 

I would for sure be wearing it and writing about it!

With that note, the sky is now the limit

Not sure if Torsti Laine would give that any weight but considering it is 3,40am here, I am still wide awake thinking about this new watch of mine,

I have just asked Torsti how much it would cost to make a V38 with this dial ...  

And which model please?

I think I asked before for the stealth 18k grey gold (25% palladium, 75%gold). But I think 18k yellow gold would be great as well if the grey is too much like steel (which is why I like it). I'd get the same guilloché as you (for we are brothers), but dif... 

Unfortunately my charm offensive on Torsti Laine may not have the same effect but one can try I will send him a message after he wakes up! If he had said no to you, chances are his stand will be similar with me.

Please do ask him, many thanks!

as soon as I hear from him.

'This is sometimes asked from me and it is quite complicated as ordering just one case would be really expensive, and ordering many in stock would be also expensive, for me. So, in principle no, not available at the moment'. So sorry my friend - I think i... 

Torsti would be happy to make a precious metal watch for you if you can secure five orders!!

But seriously speaking, I have asked Torsti and await a reply.

It looks like my next V38 will take a little longer then

An additional 8k CHF for rose gold and an additional 9k CHF for white gold.

Looks like yellow is not on the menu 🤷‍♂️ Companies like to offer rose and steel, but I wonder if I posted on a variety of watch boards would it be possible to get 4 additional people going for white gold? The discussions would inevitably devolve into "st... 

to get 4 others keen on spending less than 20k CHF on a white gold watch with an amazing personalised dial. Notice that I had made a special request for Breguet hands on my watch which are non standard for Laine. I think they give the dial even more chara... 

Rose 🌹 Rose 🥀 I could be a maybe for 🌹🥀🤷🏼‍♀️

I am pretty sure that your 'maybe' can be turned into a definite yes by a gorgeous dial!

with five different dials!! Basically, all piece uniques!!

The V38 is a real step up from previous offerings. The polished hands are amazing, and the case is also an improvement from the G2, in my opinion. Beautiful!

I agree with you that the V38 is Laine increasing the bar. Yes a manual movement would have been desirable but now at least the company has an automatic watch in its range and it is a lovely movement. I always feel that 38mm is a better size for a dress w... 

Wearing a thin watch does give one a certain peace of mind!

I have added quite a few watches lately but this is by far the most beautiful. In fact, I would go as far as saying this is without doubt one of my best three watch acquisitions of all time!

Only last night I was trying to figure out what I would do with the watch should the dial colour not be to my satisfaction. The Collectors Market came to mind as did a reputable used dealer in town. 24 hours later, I can safely confirm that this watch is ... 

You've made a fine choice and the watch looks wonderful (the photographs are fine too, I just turned my computer 90 degrees to the right to enjoy them). Torsti does make good watches, and this latest one is a positive, natural evolution. I truly hope you'...  

I like the way how the dial changes colour depending on the light. And the movement on your watch may be a Unitas but it looks amazing!