Questions are good! They are the product of an enquiring mind....

The design is Michels. His wishes, his thoughts, his design. He is a senior instructor and teacher at a watchmaking school. What the others in the room are now teaching him are the hand finishing techniques and methods that are laborious and specific, and for most of the branded watches out there, are no longer used. Hence, Guardians might be grandesse title, but given the hyperbol thrown around in the industry, I think it works.

If you ever want to see for yourself, compare a vintage patek, a modern patek calatrava, and a dufour simplicity.... That should do it. Note the finesse in the finish. The middle watch will be the least in terms of finish.

Andrew H

💰1729 Marketplace Listings for Patek Philippe›Patek Philippe Calatrava · 2 for sale · 8348 discussions›

Preserving Purity in Watchmaking: the Guardians of Time “Naissance d’une Montre”

By: 219 : July 2nd, 2015-14:01

Phillipe Dufour placed his bag on the chair next to him, sat on the seat directly behind him, leaned back and exhaled: “You can learn all your life; especially in watchmaking. Along with Robert Greubel we [gesturing to Michel Boulanger and Stephen Forsey ...

Super interesting reading, esepcially on the horological virtues of decoration. [nt]

By: amanico : July 2nd, 2015-14:05

Thanks Nico! Much appreciated. nt.

By: 219 : July 8th, 2015-00:23

Thank you Andrew. A beautifully done article about

By: timerider : July 2nd, 2015-14:35

a topic that must be discussed, appreciated and supported my all true collectors of fine Timepieces. Thank you so much for putting this all together and making such a brilliant read. Best to all, Tim

Agreed and many thanks for the kind words. nt.

By: 219 : July 8th, 2015-00:24

I haven't had a chance to read yet, but I have to say the B&W portrait is fantastic! [nt]

By: watchthatman : July 2nd, 2015-14:52

I am not a natural GF fan...

By: Mostel : July 2nd, 2015-20:29

I appreciate and admire their work, but find their designs over the top. Their level of execution is unassailable of course. Well, it is very exciting and interesting to see them joining with The Master to hopefully create something a bit more restrained,...

Thank you for that informative post. I think that the combined fire power of these

By: watch-guy.com : July 2nd, 2015-23:47

horologers has created a most intersting concept piece, It has the DNA of a breguet with the finesse of an independent Julian

All agreed on that: the important difference is that it is

By: 219 : July 8th, 2015-00:28

all designed, conceived, and executed by hand. That allows certain aspects to be different and an aesthetic that occurs in an organic way. Andrew H

Thanks Mostel! I like their designs: especially their

By: 219 : July 8th, 2015-00:27

24 second incline with the asymmetric case, but beauty is in the eye of the loop holder! Andrew H

Thanks. They look like a poster for

By: 219 : July 8th, 2015-00:25

The Expendables! But of course, for any watch lovers, are anything but! Andrew H

Andrew, Thank you for the update of the project. The first year was just an introduction of the goal and the victim...er...candidate chosen. The second year saw the first prototype. I did not see the third year's progress that you have summarised succinct...

GF always do special series of 11 watches...

By: 219 : July 8th, 2015-00:30

it stands for '1' Robert and '1' Stephen. Arguably in this instance they could have gone for '1111', but then perhaps if there are two watches from the Garde Temps, that would work! Andrew H

thank you for

By: ztirual : July 5th, 2015-05:59

the very interesting presentation of this project. I am slightly confused though. Is the purpose of the project to sell watches that are been made 'traditionally'? Yet another make/ brand? Other watchmakers also do that and quite a few are very good at it...