Independents

In typical Sham fashion, I tend to stalk a watch I like for many years (just to be 100% sure that the watch still appeals to me over time) before pulling the trigger and sometimes I am just too late like in the case of the Chronometre Contemporain! So whe...  

Always preferring simplicity - so the plain silver (champagne?) dial in combination with the blued hands is the most beautiful for me! Greets, Ron

My thoughts precisely.

These are such a nice watch, limited in number, that they deserve to be a bit more special looking than the moderately plain style that is your preferred choice. If there’s no chance whatsoever of the watch being sold say in the next 5 years, if ever, the... 

If there was a choice to be made, it would be between the first and third one but the AD did tell me that my choice would have to accompany my order. I personally feel that the Remontoire is such a special watch that any dial would be fine and it then bor... 

While Kari Voutilainen's guilloché dials are very attractive on their own, I always thought the bold lines of the "standard" dial design to be Grönefeld's signature design. It matches not only the bold design of the movement bridges but carries on the sup...  

And yes I think I shall stick to my original decision. Your argument makes perfect sense!

highlights the beautiful blued hands - 100% silver case. Less is definitely more in this case Best wishes Will.

I am actually quite surprised of the number of purists who have opted for the simplicity of the 1st dial. I thought many would think it was boring but I have always like it and even told Bart and Tim that and they smiled knowingly

than anyone else without actually having owned one so I dread to think I will do when the watch finally arrives!!

The Remontoire is an amazing piece and I am glad you managed to secure one piece in Singapore. It is definitely worth the two years wait. I will go for option 1 which is the default silver dial with stainless steel case. It is a versatile and timeless com...  

I see I am in esteemed company! It suits your wrist beautifully too. Any problems with the watch since you acquired it?!

The watch is not mine though, it belongs to a good friend of mine. No issue that I ever heard him mention before.

I like to buy simple watches to avoid things going wrong and the Remontoire is relatively complicated. But I hold the Gronefelds with the highest regard when it comes to watchmaking.

The beauty of the visible remontoir speaks volumes, and I share your thoughts on the 'simple' dial being best. My dream would be to pair it with the mint-green dial they have made for other clients, but seeing as that is not an option here, the standard i... 

Actually every dial is an option here but I never knew that there were so many variations. I have seen the light blue, dark blue, black, salmon, grey and burgundy but a mint green is something I should look at although I dare say that the allure of the cl... 

I have seen one collector on IG with a mint-green and I fell hard for the look, reminds me almost of the Jade dial Journe Tourbillon. If you are looking for this to fill a niche of understated elegance, maybe not the best dial option - but I struggle to t...  

Nice but I think after awhile of looking at the mint dial, I might regret not getting the plain silver dial. It is for me anyway the safe bet, the classic choice!

The inner minute/hour circle with guillochet as in no3 and the outer Ring and second subdial plain as in 1? Don't know' If that would really Look good, but in my Imagination it does. 2 years waiting time is harsh. I had a waiting time of 4-5 months and it... 

have become especially busy since launching the Principa. The Remontoire as you correctly state never had such a long waiting list but I am so happy that it will only come in two years time as I have enough watches due in before then to keep me entertaine... 

I see we share similar taste so I must be on the right track with my choice!

I prefer the first one among the 3. However, if you opt for a guilloche Kari dial, I believe you can simply design your own dial and don’t have to stick to these options. If you don’t currently have a Voutilainen in your collection and do not plan to, I’d... 

because the thought did cross my mind. I once bought a MB&F LM101 partly because I told myself I would never be able to afford a Voutilainen so at least I can buy a watch with Kari's name engraved on the movement! A similar thought crossed my mind wit... 

and by US, I mean anyone who's into independents. Voutilainen is one of the choices most of us has to go thru when choosing which independents' work to get. Anyway, I think you have already decided and it's a good looking elegant choice! Grats once again.... 

I have just returned from Singapore after placing my order and leaving the required deposit. Can't believe this is actually happening. I know it is just a watch but for me it is a personal coup to secure a stainless steel piece in my preferred dial.

grats again!

which should arrive before the Gronefeld - the Patek 5212A, the Ming 17.06 monolith and the Patek 5711/1A (yes that one! ) Quite ironically, none of them are in precious metals!

I just got the chance to see 5212a in the flesh a few days back and I love it. One of the best patek release in almost a decade for me.

I was a bit worried initially about the 40mm diameter but the lugs and the busy dial makes the watch fit a small wrist like mine. It will probably be the largest watch I will ever own together with the 5711/1A. Credit to Patek for doing an excellent job w... 

I also have an abnormally small wrist so that’s one restricting factor and the reason I’d go so far to say 5212a is one of the best release for me. 5711/1a fits fine on my wrist too, as it’s a little smaller than the 40mm size would suggest. in the end, t... 

Thank goodness that I can't wear a Charles Frodsham, De Bethune and most MB&Fs!!

i think the first clean dial is best but that is in my taste....it stands out & looks elegant equally. Best, mahesh.,

We share similar tastes yet again! I am still quite shell shocked by the number of purists opting for the simple plain dial.

Indeed we are

I am mostly for the first one. Especially after seeing the live shots. There is already enough going on and the texture seems very lively like an early FPJ. I would keep it at that for longevity 😃 Congratulations again. I am like you- not spontaneous when... 

I am awake at 5am like a little boy excited to catch my early flight to Singapore. Yes the first dial seems to be the popular choice for good reason too and I think it will pass the test of time. The fact that it is also the dial that costs the least is a... 

I am so happy to hear that you finally are able to get a allocation for one of your dream watch . I think whatever you choose it would be a perfect watch for you . A plain Silver dial is as beautiful as a KV silver dial imho . I opted for the plain salmon... 

I know you are a great supporter of the Gronefelds and I look forward to a visit to the atelier. The road for me in finally placing an order for a Remontoire has been longer than for most and has involved me talking to ADs in USA, Switzerland, France, Sin... 

I am at the Seletar Airport after ordering the first dial and placing my deposit. I have seldom been more pleased buying a watch! I must apologise for not being able to meet you during this visit as my schedule was quite rushed as I have only been in Sing... 

But i must confess I have no idea where Puchong is! I have only been back for two years in KL after having been in the UK for 36 years so I dare say you know Malaysia better than I do!

Just kidding, ok I have been to Sunway once

I am useless when it comes to food - been Anglicised after having been in the UK for too long. So believe it or not, I only eat once a day!

You have a good imagination my friend. Have a pleasant Sunday too

I have just ordered and left a deposit on the first option! It was my first choice 3 years ago when I first saw the Remontoire and it remains my first choice despite the availability of the enamel and guilloche dials.

You rarely see it, but it looks so good. Congrats on the purchase I love this piece. Makes you smile every 8 seconds ...  

Very nice but I am wondering if it is better to keep the governor the same colour as the dial in pursuit of discreetness. I would still smile every eight seconds!!

Thanks for your feedback but i have decided to go with the first one!

I almost had to come over to the USA to source one but fortunately, I just had to pop over to Singapore.

but it was anything but easy in the months before with me trying to source a steel Remontoire in three different continents via lots of email exchanges and phone calls. In fact, I almost had to 'settle' for a white gold Remontoire with a dark blue Kari di... 

If not, hey, we are blessed that we are spoiled for choice these days in this passion of ours.

But doesn't it have some texture to it? It's the same as the salmon, right? With or without, it is very elegant.

There is some texture to the dial and it is like the salmon except in silver. Thank you for your feedback and as you might have noticed, I had ordered it last Friday so if you had told me you preferred one of the guilloche dials instead I would be swearin... 

I don’t understand Swahili so I would have told myself you were saying I was smart and funny and cool. The cat’s meow!

you actually are!

Back atcha. Now you can blush.

Such an awesome creation. You can’t go wrong with any of the dials, just personal preference. The original dial looks really cool especially when the light brings out the sparkle. Special pieces like this are well worth waiting for.

We are all privileged to be living in the golden era of watchmaking with so many creative independent watchmakers who also dazzle us by finishing their watches to a superlative degree. Just 25 years ago this was almost unheard of, now it is almost a prere...