Independents
AndCavanaugh's insightful post sheds light on Precision Engineering AG (PEAG), a company that has become a quiet powerhouse in supplying high-precision assortments to independent watchmakers. His observations highlight how PEAG's specialized components, from balance wheels to double hairsprings, are integral to the distinct identities of many revered independent brands. This piece explores the nuanced definition of 'independent' in modern horology, a topic AndCavanaugh's initial post provocatively raises.
Precision Engineering AG (PEAG) has kept a low profile since its founding by dental implant magnate Thomas Straumann in the early ‘aughts. PEAG’s main customer is their sister company H. Moser & Cie, but they now supply many other independents. I only noticed this after seeing back-to-back Gronefeld, HMC, and MB&F posts on here with the same distinct stud carrier.
The catalog includes screw-poised-screw-regulated, smooth-cam-regulated, and smooth-screw-regulated balance wheels. One of their specialties is solid gold escapements, which you can see used by Dewitt, ARTIME, and Laurent Ferrier, but they’re best known for their double hairspring assortments, seen on the MB&F, ARTIME, and Laurent Ferrier.
Besides plug-and-play assortments, PEAG also sells raw hairsprings, which are very difficult to find a supplier for these days. This is great for maniacs like Kari, who insist on folding their own Philips terminal curves.
This is exactly why I find myself increasingly disappointed with independent watchmakers. I honestly wonder why we continue to use this term. "Independent"... or shouldn't we? I mean, more and more, they seem to be dependent on third parties - sometimes for design, sometimes for marketing, sometimes for components, and sometimes for the finishing of parts. Of course, the degree of dependency varies, but some are heavily reliant on external sources for almost everything. I would rather support so
But, as far as I'm concerned, as long as the level of finishing is as high as I expect, I'm not bothered by the fact that some brands work as 'établisseurs', outsourcing some components and assembling them. Being independent as you mean it (=not relying on anyone else for any part of the watch) is very rare and hard (almost impossible maybe). For example, even Yosuke Sekiguchi, who insists on doing as much as he can himself has to rely on an enameler and on a case maker. 'Independent' can also h
Have a nice weekend. Best, Emmanuel
I suppose that is one of the most marketing led brands today! Nothing wrong with that though. But to some extent I agree with your statement. An independent for me is someone like Haldimann or Klings. The lonely fighters…
To be fair, we must admit clones have become very impressive. When the Chinese start offering FPJ / Rexhep Rexhepi parts polishing quality... then what?
was a daring move to invest in this type of manufacturing.
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