prior to their purchase by Richemont, and similarly Minerva, before their complete acquisition and subsumed into Montblanc’s as their HH movement division.
An independent is independent for as long as they aren’t majority staked or fully acquired by another company or Group.
Possible semantics aside, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a superb watch, and I’m not the least bit surprised to hear that you’re happy with – exactly as it should be.