Horological Meandering

Boccanegra
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Skeleton clock

Hi all,

I find myself in the position just at the moment that the "next" watch in the collection, and therefore the only one that I really covet (a PT Lange Datograph) is outside what I can justify spending this year, and therefore it must wait until next. Sigh...

However, it has been a barren year so far and I am therefore currently trying to decide on a clock to console myself and was hoping for advice. I hope this doesn't sit too far outside this forum's remit - it is a horological issue, after all.

I want a skeleton clock, with a high level of finish, in a relatively "modern but classic" style (so glass bells and 19th Century pieces are probably out) but also with a focus on the mechanical (that is, not overly decorated/painted). Budget is under £12.5k/$25k or I might as well spend the extra on a second hand Lange (and yes, I know I might as well anyway). Lastly, for some unreasonable reason I just don't like Great Wheel clocks.

Given these criteria, which don't seem too onerous to me, I seem to find myself with very few options. I've checked the various AHCI members and scanned the web and not much seems to come up.

David Walter seems very well regarded but his only series produced clock looks to be a great wheel clock (see below, photo from David's website). It is the nicest GW clock I've seen, admittedly, but the price is also a little high so far as I can tell:

Next up, Matthias and Sebastian Naeschke have an interesting looking piece that SN posted on this site (see below) but the price is too high for me on my budget

Thirdly, Sinclair Harding seem to be a possibility; as well as being British, I've seen an example of their Great Wheel clock in Wempe in London and it looked well put together. Their 'Hers grasshopper' could be an option (photo below from their website):

Lastly, I've found a firm called Comitti (again British) whom I've never heard of. Their 'grasshopper' (see below, from their site) is cheaper than the SH and I like the aesthetic design better but I've no idea what reputation they have or how well engineered or finished the movement is

So the questions are: (1) am I missing an obvious clockmaker and (2) if not, does anyone have views on Sinclair Harding and Comitti in particular? Or should I just give up on the modern and buy at auction? I'm happy to wait for the right piece and/or have it custom made.

Any thoughts/comments welcome.

Thanks,

simon