Independent watchmaking and the watchmakers who practice this art...
Why is it compelling? What is it that makes these precious few world class watchmakers’ hard work so interesting to watch collectors and aficionados of the horological art forms? As a short essay, I’ll make a case for why. As a student of horology for many years at this point, I have been exposed through those last 23 years to much the watchmaking world has to offer. I have bought and sold over $5million worth of timepieces, from $100 vintage pieces to well over $100k complicated pieces. So I know I have a perspective that allows me to comment from a position of experience on this subject. Having visited several of the larger manufactures, spent the past 8 years attending the Basel and SIHH trade fairs and interacted with hundreds of collectors, I offer the following:
Independent Watchmaking is akin to Enzo Ferrari starting his car business. He was obviously a passionate man who believed in what he was doing, and knew he could contribute to the advancement of motor car racing, with the amazing development of his engines and then the car as a whole.
Not “Another car analogy” you might say! Let me elaborate, there are certainly similarities, an engine/movement, The exterior design of a car/a watch case, the fit and finish of the car/finish on a watch & movement. I think you would agree that the engine/movement is almost certainly the most important part. Here is where Enzo excelled. Today’s Independent Watchmakers do the same, I submit. Whether or not an in-house movement has been realized by the watchmaker, it is there as an important goal. Many of these fellows have got there, and we are graced with several lovely, well built machines that will run for many years to come, with proper maintenance I should mention. How is it that the finished piece encapsulating the movement is so lovely? Here lies the genius of the Independent watchmaker, a brilliant “mechanic” on one hand, while having the aesthetic gene covered too, he is a “sculptor” or ‘designer’. This is rare to have both aptitudes in one creative person, usually it is either/or. Now Ferrari had those great Italian design houses, Pininfarina etc. etc. Well at the end of the day, Ferrari got to say yay or nay, he certainly had a sense of design and style, he was Italian after all!
One might say an Independent watchmaker is a rarer breed, “Doing it all” so to speak. He is not what the watch collectors are used to experiencing with the big brands. This is what makes this small horological field so compelling for me and as I travel around, for many other passionate watch collectors. It certainly is not for everyone, the cost of admission is high, but then it should be. These are rare pieces of art. This is not some sort of mass produced product that is fashionable currently, but rather, a timeless micro-mechanical art form, created by an artisan skilled in his/her field, well practiced and passionate about his/her chosen path. How often can one realize a personal relationship with a world class watchmaker? Here is another reason for going Independent.
Go with your gut instinct on this type of acquisition, don’t worry what others might say, buy what you like and get an understanding of why the particular watchmaker made this watch, what does his/her design say about him/her, etc. etc. That old saying comes to mind, “The mind once expanded never goes back”
This is the Independent Watchmaking path, take it, it will lead one into areas of great “eye opening” and expansion of he mind!
I'm happy to discuss this more on a personal level, my contact info is over on the right hand side of this, in bright blue!
Cheers,
Tim