A Volker Update
)Michael, his brother now in charge of admin/communication, told me overnight that Volker is busy assembling the rear side of the movement. He is expecting pictures of this within the next days. As far as he knows (not sure why he is not more certain on this point) the first dials will be black. he said that Volker will soon start to assemble the front side including the dials soon.
We all await with excitement, whether you have one of these on order or not!!!
Happy Watching,
justindependent
Thanks for the update -- a bit more news, with photos
Thanks very much for this update! I corresponded with Michael about 2 weeks ago, and he sent along several photos of the balance and fine regulator assembly. The latter was at that time being tweaked by Volker to resolve some minor issues, and my hope is that he has accomplished that and has moved along to further tasks. Michael also passed along a few shots of their optical balance timing rig and a timing sheet, for the technically inclined.
Exciting to hear that they are far enough along to be thinking about dials at this point -- of course, mine is a white-dial version :-(. And, I'm in line behind others, so at this point my big wish is to see that first delivery!
Here are a couple of the photos:
Keep going, Volker! And thanks to Michael for having improved dramatically the timeliness and quality of information flowing from the Vyskocil atelier.
Best,
Gary G
Can someone give a short bio on V.V.?
Ramblings
When I first ordered this, I was beginning to get a little disillusioned with the bigger brands. Some things particularly appealed to me (in no particular order):
1) the uniqueness of setting the time. New concept where the you can set tick by tick, minute by minute)
2) VV is making literally EVERYTHING! OK, this is not quite accurate, but i struggle to find any other who make a larger % of the watch personally than he.
3) He is even making the box.... at least he was
4) He has no technical training. He is self taught and yet, he strives for perfection to attain accuracy but also asethetics and innovation. Its admirable for someone self taught
5) His quest for this "perfection" is now well know. Afterall some of us waited for 6 years already, I have waited less. Most of us would have accepted delivery at 95% perfect. VV wont deliver that.
Now, what i see is that when the watch is delivered it will be through struggles with personal issues, health as well as horological technical issues. he has literally poured his life into this over the past 10 years.
I want to let others who may have met the man to tell of his story properly.
Happy Watching
justindependent
In short...
Ummm.....
"On the market" and "definitely has soul", are terms used by those with a glass-nine-tenths-full view of the world, Magnus!
"In the making" and "will have soul" are the phrases which spring to mind for the more cautious amongst us (remembering the Opus 3, Cabestan, and Chronometre Optimum sagas!).
Those who have hung in there are visionaries, and it is to be hoped that their faith will soon be richly rewarded.
Cheers,
pplater.