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Independents

It's a very good question...

 

If not THE question regarding independent watches.

We have to consider several factors.

First of all, if it's simple or complicated watch.

The simplicity for example, due to its architecture is a very simple watch and a very robust one.

I think that even in 50 years, we wil able to find someone who will be able to service the watch or even better to "make" a spare part.

But with very complicated calibers, things are not the same.

Several examples come to my mind :

the "needles" system of Urwerk
the hour system of Hautlence
the specific caliber of the HM1
and so on...

Second factor : the strategy of the brand.

I discussed with Dominique Busser from Urwerk about this topic.

He told me that Urwerk produces a lot of spare parts to prepare the future and that they are focussed in creating a company with a continued existence.

I must confess if I'm confidend with Urwerk, that's not the case with some other brands. We have to consider that I met several watches which were not able to run 2 weeks without a trouble...

Fr.Xavier
 






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23 Comments view entire thread 

Servicing an independent watch in future.....

 
By: CL : August 18th, 2008-07:42
Servicing a highly regarded independent watch is always a topic that interests me. Unlike watches from Lange, Patek, Journes and other big manufacturers......most independent watches are done by a very small team of very talented watchmakers. Classic Watc... 

I have wondered the same thing.....

 
By: 1440 : August 18th, 2008-10:17
What will happen in the future when parts may not be available. I can only speak of one maker with any certainty. Mr. Dufour had a Japanese watchmaker in his shop when we visited last summer. He was just finishing his time there where he learned to be the... 

Japanese watchmaker for Dufour......

 
By: CL : August 18th, 2008-10:21
wow. Very interesting. I'm glad the craft has been passed on......... Do you happen to know where this Japanese watchmaker operates? Shellman? *CL

Hi CL

 
By: ChristianDK : August 18th, 2008-12:08
good points..............if your getting cold feet regarding your simplicity just drop me a line - I will help you.......LOL, no problem ;-) true what Al says, though that there is a japanese watch maker (quite a young man as I remember) so you should be ... 

It's just like any other art piece

 
By: SteveH : August 18th, 2008-12:16
Something could always go wrong with it. You'd love to have the original artist repair it (and most artists go out of their way to make sure this is available and as easy as possible) but if that's not possible, there will always be someone else who can d... 

Auction houses should not do this..

 
By: bernard cheong : August 18th, 2008-20:51
" And after verifying with friends, it's true that auction house does have their watch expert opening up masterpieces to 'service' i t." Great scott!!! I agree with you CL. I would be terrified if and when they do this. I guess you are right, in some case... 

Perhaps I have more confidence in Urwerk...

 
By: Ronald Held : August 19th, 2008-04:27
maintanance and for the Simplicity, but what of Kari's watches, which are vintage and observatory calibers?

An interesting question/concern...

 
By: Rob : August 19th, 2008-15:37
though I would imagine though that Kari's work with these vintage movements would be relatively easily solved/replicated by his fellow Aeon Time group which was formed to support each other technically? At least that was to my understanding from reading t... 

Thanks Rob...My main concern is

 
By: CL : August 19th, 2008-20:40
if I get a positive answer, my confidence will shoot thru the roof and will cause more damage to my wallet AHCI pieces are really tempting. Lovesss*CL

Isn't the answer...

 
By: pplater : August 20th, 2008-08:28
...inherent in the re-generation of the profession itself? When we look back on the careers of many of today's great watchmakers we find often that they served their 'apprenticeship', as it were, repairing and restoring valuable and complicated pieces of ... 

The point of view of an independent watchmaker

 
By: vianney : September 4th, 2008-07:13
First of all, thank to all of you for these posts. Such a discussion is always meaningful for both the watch collectors and the watchmakers ;-) The question of transmission over the generations of the timepieces that we are passionated in is very importan...