Independents

.... softly. Excellent pictures, Nico & Andrew !

Incidently, I met Lionel (Ladoire) when he was in Singapore a couple of months back.

Very innovative watches with use of exotic materials.

Viewing theses watches is an intense pleasure, my friend.

I must now do my homework on the Independant Watches, as this is a new world, or almost, to me.

But now I got how and why people pay interest to them.

The finish, the originality, the technical solutions are obviously big factors, here.

Yes, some of them are really impressive creations.

Thanks for your input, Flamenco.

Best,

Nicolas

The De Bethunes are just crazy...in a good way. There are several design elements about them that I abolutely love and some that I don't care much for and thus overall, I'm torn. The hour markers, with their 3-dimensional, sunken spherical quality are so so cool, the skeletonized hands and lugs are interesting and even the dimpled crown is unique.  However, I'm sorry to say I'm not a big fan of the 3-dimensional moonphase.  It's a cool concept but personally it's creepy and reminds me of the "eye in the sky" cameras. 

In general, I'm glad that watchmakers like De Bethune do what they do. I admire their fearlessness in pushing the limits of conventionality.

That's exactly that!

Perfectly said, Ping.

And in some other cases, we should also say that it is a sublime coming back to the Roots, to the fundamentals.

Now, I have a seed growing in my brain...

Best,

Nicolas

and sincere thanks to Vernon, Mo and William & Sons for making it a great day.

All the best

Jon

Shall we count you for the next one???

Best,

Nicolas

Good grief, it is attractive!  I love the blue-steel outlined sapphire hands, the 3-D moonphase, and the calendar display combination of a sub-dial for the date, and the two interesting windows for the month and day of the week.  Stunning.  I was really impressed by De Bethune the first time I saw their watches in the flesh.  Your pictures reconfirm everything I felt when I first handled the timepieces.  The Digitale is one of my favorite De Bethunes.  Yet another unmistakable watch.  What I love about De Bethune is their strong viewpoint on design.  Their watches have so many wonderful design elements; the rotating 3-D moonphase, the open, airy lugs, and the high-tech rotor in that distinctive De Bethune shade of blue, to name some.  The De Bethune line is so modern and fresh IMO.

Moser is also shockingly refreshing, albeit in a more classical sense.  There is something elegant and understated about their watches.  I am captivated by how clean and truly beautiful the Mayu looks.  I fell in love with these watches the first time I saw them.  Were you able to see one of the palladium Mayus?  Those are my favorite because of the fumé dial.  Also, I think Moser's perpetual calendar is one of the smartest, simplest, and most satisfying designs I've ever seen. 

You got to see some great watches at the GTG it seems!  Thanks for the photos!

Cheers,
Daos

I totally agree with you on what you wrote about the Mayu.

And yes, I saw the palladium version with this stunning smoke dial.

As for the De Bethune, I'd say that these are very refreshing watches, really, as they re visit the horological landscape, and with Talent!

The only reserve I have is about their assymetrical lugs, not really my cup of tea, but there are some which came with delicious airy lugs.

Seems we are on the same playground, Sister...

I'm definitely a big De Bethune Fan, as I became since last Monday, a big Romain Gauthier fan, too.

I will have to take more time to admire PSM Watches, because what I furtively saw ( FX's Fault.. ) was very appealing.

In a word, to sum it the best I can, it was a ..BLAST!

Best, Sister.

Nicolas

I agree that the Romain Gauthier timepieces are completely captivating.  There's just something about that dial and lack of a crown that is so pleasing.  The Speake-Marin watches are tasty too!  My favorite has always been the single-handed Shimoda.  PSM offers a version with Chinese characters instead of Roman or Arabic numerals and I rather like that one because it would go well with some of my tattoos.  You know how girls love to coordinate their accessories! 

Cheers,
Daos

No message body

I visited William & Son shop only the week before and also took great pleasure in examining Mr Romain Gauthier beautifully crafted timepieces. 

As well as the FP Journes Tourbillon and Reasonance.

It may be the beginning of another ( watch ) love story, indeed.

What is also awesome, and really amazing, is to see all these marvels at the same place.

Well, here in Paris, we are used to see a lot of interesting watches, but in London watches seem to be a Religion!



Best,

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-07-01 08:38:39

Is that the Mayu movement? It looks quite different from mine.

Fantastic post, by the way. Thanks so much for sharing.

Best,

Jed

I didn't mess with the case backs.

I checked another time, and it is the Mayu Case Back.

Best,

Nicolas

Note the difference from the movement in my Mayu.



Best,

Jed

Hello all!  IMO, For the H. Moser & Cie

MONARD:

MAYU:

Hope this helps. 

-MW

No message body This message has been edited by CaliforniaJed on 2009-07-02 10:10:49

No message body

You're right...

I thought I took a Mayu case back, it was a Monard, in fact.

I checked your pic in the Moser Catalogue, and you're absolutely right.

Too many watches in the display, at this moment.

Very sorry for this confusion.

Best,

Nicolas

Thanks for carifying.  (I thought maybe the Mayu had gotten the double hairspring and a makover for a minute!)

Best,

Jed

…and really like the Perpetual De Bethune – an innovative and impressive design!!!

 

Thanks for the great pictures of these beauties, Nicolas!

 

Marcelo

Exhuberant or sober, they all share one thing : Originality.

If you asdd a high degree of finish...It achieves to make them very desirable.

A Revelation!

Best,

Nicolas

Had a great day, with some stunning watches, sadly that i missed it.

Best,

Michel

It was a fantastic one, my friend!

Best,

Nicolas

for a week, Nic your post inkect more gas to my almost dim WIS fire ....LOL now burning hot on DB

I'm not the dangerous one, here, but De Bethune!!!

Wow, these watches are so appealing, my friend.

One advice: Don't go to see them in the flesh or you will make the plundge.

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

The probability of having a De Bethune on my wrist in the near future is very strong !

My favorite one is still the DB15 but I must admit that this breathtaking DBS with black dial could be "The One"...

Emmanuel