Independents

To steal a literary device from a Purist friend...and with apologies for all inaccuracies in the story given that I am working largely from memory... The time: February, 2010 The place: a small San Francisco restaurant The players: 5 of the 6 members of a...  

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I didn't even get into the complexities of the movement too deeply (including the need for a redesign of the big date mechanism to ensure compliance with existing patents)... Best, Gary

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That is a dream come true for me, how cool was it to have him and his family at your home? I could not imagine, what a neat watch, would always be my grail piece if I were you. Good job on the design, I never thought there would be that many decisions to ... 

...is that they remain very accessible and eager to talk about their passions. It was fantastic to host Kari and his family at our home, and the relaxed atmosphere allowed for lots of great discussion. Thanks for your note! Best, Gary

Thanks for sharing!! Best, Horo

"Kill Philippe Part 1?" :-) Best, Gary

Great story and a wonderful piece you have there from Kari! Big congrats again. Cheers Andrew

...and I hope that you will post similar accounts of your upcoming bespoke pieces! Best, Gary

Your group got made an offer you couldn't refuse :) I think we all need to own a Voutilainen at some stage and go through the same journey!

...to relish the experience as it unfolds. It's pretty easy to get caught up in the frustrations when in retrospect the memories are of the fun of participating in the process... Best, Gary

brilliant timepiece. Once again, congratulations Gary! Wish I were part of the gang :( Best Sam

... what a wonderful timepiece! Your intense involvement with the creative process makes it something very special. Thank you so much for sharing this great experience with us! Regards, Marcus

on this project. Looks like a fun process, and the end result is magnificent. Amazing how many large and small decisions come into play as the watch is being created. Looking forward to more scans of these. Darren

It was an honor to be able to share part of this journey with you, Gary!

And, it should not be forgotten that the first mockups of this watch were created by you! My pleasure entirely to share this great journey with you. All the best, Gary

your wrist shot

Here you go: Wrist modeled by small-luxury-world ...  

I like the watch but I think that I enjoyed even more the process! Fx

Gary, Congrats to you and the Gang of 6. I wonder if this is a first in the history of modern watchmaking that a "club" has worked with a watchmaker to design such a magnificent timepiece. Again, congrats to all of you! Best, Larry

I do know that the ChronotempVs club from Spain has commissioned Peter Speake-Marin and Chopard to customize watches but can't say whether they are as magnificent as this one :-). Thanks for your comments! Best, Gary

Upon re-reading, a few errors/omissions: 1. Our review of the dial schematic diagram was January 2011, not January 2012 2. The RG triangle applieds were quite a labor of love -- CNC designed and made by Kari in his workshop, each with two feet rather than... 

For allowing us an insight into the process from start to finish. The final finished piece, was well worth the wait.

Three years seems an eternity when waiting for a piece of this kind -- especially when there is no news at all for significant periods of time (due to delays in dial manufacturing). Great to have the watch in hand! Best, Gary

is great and very addictive or shall I call it dangerous :-) Still taking pictures with concentration, passion, love ... when others already started to follow something else - highly important for boys from the US :-) Thanks a lot for sharing with us, muc...  

...I greatly appreciate this photo! The "sad" news is that our team lost the championship game this past weekend -- still doesn't diminish at all the fun we had that night in Geneva! Best, Gary

Well, Gary, what a journey... We really all thank you for the time you spent memorizing and writing down all the events leading to this little marvel. It's a rare (or unseen?) thing to be able to see how it may be to follow such a project, and realize how... 

Dear Gary, Thank you for this exciting journey to the "birth" of your new watch. I'd like to express my personal opinion. First of all, it seems you have undergone a certain audacity in the design process, because it's not easy to design a new watch (desp... 

quite a masterpiece indeed and worth the wait. cheers PAt

Gary, what an amazing journey and piece. Truly a memorable experience! Congrats! Cholack

thanks Gary for the detail process, hope one day have the chance to do this.....

You really needed 2 whole seconds before saying "I'm in!". Thanks for the recounting of this story Gary. A truly magnificent tale. Regards, Richard.

yours here for us to enjoy..... Congrats Richard

I'm not a member of the illustrious Norcal gang. Regards, Richard.

sorry

My business must have been doing well at the time, because if a similar opportunity arose right now it might take me much longer to jump in -- perhaps about 10 seconds :-) Best. Gary

Dear Gary, Congratulation on your magnificent new watch. I was very fortunate to see one of those magnificent Big Dates in the metal, at Kari's yesterday. I t was probably the last one being made and to leave Kari's workshop. I am completely in ore readin... 

I can imagine the anxiety....the uncertatinty through the process is palpable and the foresight required by all involved is a testament to the skills, experience and guts of all involved. Plus, you are all a little bits nuts, and very brave! The end resul... 

Ballparks,...

Many thanks for your kind remarks, Gary. I have to confess that visualization of things that do not exist is not a strong point for me, so despite the many Photoshop mockups we did I was plagued with self doubt throughout! Nothing would please me more tha... 

Don't worry about my question.. I should have asked Kari, but I did not because I was focusing on other watches, but would you mind telling a bit more about the caliber of your watch. Is it based on the same ébauche as Kari's 1st generation chronograph? M... 

A somewhat lengthy post is needed and I wanted to have my facts straight... Gary G

you want to do this wonderful calibre justice. :-) I am really looking forward to reading your post before another trip to Motiers. Best, Z'