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Independents

Good question!

 

FP Journe has a multi-layered plan in place and is kind of like the gold standard for how an independant should prepare to continue after the passing of the founder (which is when the real danger is, I think).

So, in terms of FPJ, I understand the company is backed by some wealthy fans of his work and Mr. Journe has already turned down offers to buy the company from conglomerates. The company is vertically integrated, having purchased a dial manufacture (held in part by VC as well, iirc). Importantly, it has its own watchmaking school, so that's where future watchmakers for the company and even a successor may come from. It has a tight lock on service, but Mr. Journe has said that all the instructions needed for a watchmaker to service each model have been prepared and could be released, if need be, in the unlikely event that FPJ could no longer continue.

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13 Comments view entire thread 

Newbie - The What if Question...

 
By: benlee338 : June 3rd, 2018-21:13
Hello, I have been collecting watches for the past 5 years but is still a newbie when come to independents. I have to admire them for their distinctive style, personality and in most case, superior hand finishing that compare well to or even surpass estab... 

I have a ,,few ,,independents in my collection .

 
By: Watchonthewrist : June 3rd, 2018-23:20
And i am not worried about your questions . First of all enjoy your watch , imo the most importend thing to do . About your concern , most of these brands have skilled watchmakers working for them so when the brand no longer exist there knowledge wouldnt ... 

That's absolutely correct

 
By: benlee338 : June 5th, 2018-22:20
First and foremost, we buy what we like and buy it to enjoy. Although for some independents watches where the price reaches into the other side of 50K, I am a bit more concern with long term viability. Also, I am from the Far East and it is less accessibl... 

It varies from independent to independent

 
By: sham1 : June 4th, 2018-00:04
Yes arguably a larger brand has a better possibility of a surviving in the long term than a small independent but quite a few independents make high quality watches that are easily serviced by good watch repairer. The example of FP Journe's watches I agre... 

Thanks for the feedback

 
By: benlee338 : June 5th, 2018-22:23
Do you think Lang & Heyne and Akrivia falls into this category of independents with good after sales service? Both are very new companies, the latter being very new actually. FPJ watches are interesting but never like them enough to buy one. Also, all my ... 

Hello!

 
By: sham1 : June 6th, 2018-00:19
Lang & Heyne offer good after sales service but I am not so sure about AkriviA as they are pretty new and are in the process of establishing a good retail network. Saying that for example, there is an AkriviA AD in the UK whereas Lang & Heyne do n... 

This is a question I have been thinking about for a while and there will be no real definitive answer

 
By: rnaden : June 4th, 2018-01:21
I think when i comes to independent watches, first question is how much do you love it to buy it, then the next very important question is whether or not they already have a service network setup. To me, the after sales service is possibly one of the most... 

Good question!

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : June 4th, 2018-10:37
FP Journe has a multi-layered plan in place and is kind of like the gold standard for how an independant should prepare to continue after the passing of the founder (which is when the real danger is, I think). So, in terms of FPJ, I understand the company... 

Journe is likely the independent with the largest and defined structure

 
By: piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1) : June 4th, 2018-11:56
He's close to manufacture a thousand watches per year, thus each intern department is carefully monitored. Complicated watches are returned to the same watchmaker who previously has worked on it. This legitimate question is fully debated, I understand tho... 

I have about a dozen independents

 
By: cazalea : June 4th, 2018-12:42
and have had trouble with a couple. One has even gone "home" twice for engineering improvements to the winding system because it couldn't run for 40 hours after wearing. The problem has been mostly solved, however I must say that a number of friends have ... 

Longevity of the independents is definitely a consideration

 
By: kykw : June 4th, 2018-16:20
Good question to ask. I'm inclined to believe that watchmaking is essentially about finding mechanical solutions, as explained to me by a few indie brands and watchmakers- Parts can be made, and watches can be serviced as long as the skills are still ther...