Dufour...Smith.....Ferrier
Dufour....smith....Ferrier Wed, 13 January 2016 09:26
If you were to consider purchasing an independent , which of these three would you consider - possibly Voutilainen
Prices are all stratospheric
Pieces are unobtainium
It is possible to order a Roger Smith and Ferrier but as far as I understand Dufour is only available on the secondary market
I would be looking at a simple 3 hand watch
Cases are similar
Movement are all extremely well constructed and obviously finished to an extremely high standard
What would you do ?
Julian
( dreaming the impossible dream)
This message has been edited by watch-guy.com on 2016-01-13 01:37:26
Roger W Smith
But Smith makes a watch like no one else today with a true tradition and unique universe and it's all hand made. If you need something to convince you, watch "The Watchmakers Apprentice"
Kari Voutalinen, no doubt, and the price is not in the same league as RS or PD
LF good choice too...
I could elaborate more , but let's leave it to that for now.
Mo
Ferrier
What would be your thoughts to adding F.P.Journe as another option? They have been growing on me big time!!!
Each is a different aesthetic world... you'd have to do some thinking beforehand
Roger Smith For me
Good luck trying to get hold of a Dufour (even on second-hand markets).
Kari V is incredible, but somehow, has never inspired "drool-worthiness" in me.
Anyway, my $0.02
The very best!
Together with Voutilainen, you have chosen arguably the best 3 handed watch brands around but if I may, I would also like to include the Credor Eichi II made by Seiko and produced at 10 pieces annually (only 6 were produced last year). Two Japanese watchmakers were actually sent to spend time with Phililp Dufour to master the art of finishing and have produced a watch comparable in finishing to Dufour and Voutilainen. The watch uses the spring drive movement and is accurate to half a second a day or +15 seconds a month. So if accuracy, amazing finishing and exclusitivity are among your criteria, this is the watch to buy!Unfortunately, these watches are only available in Japan.
Your choice will also depend on what size watch you would prefer because Voutilainen can customise a Vingt 8 to 37mm (the standard watch is 39mm) while Roger Smith and Laurent Ferrier's watch sizes are fixed at 40mm. I have asked both Roger Smith and Laurent Ferrier if customisation was possible but I am afraid if was not. The Eichi II is at 39mm whle the Simplicity by Dufour is at 34mm and 37mm Also the dial on the Vingt 8 can be customised which to me personally is a big plus. Afterall, none of the these watches can be considered reasonably priced so the possibility of customising one's dream adds to the joy of ownership.
I tried on a Roger Smith at Salon QP in London recently and found his watch heavy for a simple 3 handed watch. Yes it has exclusitivity and a long waiting list but I am not sure if it would be viable to use it as a daily watch. The Galet Micro rotor from Laurent Ferrier is the only automatic watch in your list and is arguably the best finished 3 handed automatic watch currently in the market. It is very wearable and shouts discreet elegance. I have only seen the Simplicity in photos and if you can get one, most afficionados will tell you to buy it! The finishing is unparalleled from what I have read in the reviews and it is exclusive and arguably made by Philip Dufotur's own hands.
The Vingt 8 would be the watch I would buy simply because of the customisation that can go into the watch. Also if you ever had the chance to meet Kari Voutiainen, you would be naturally seduced to buy a watch from him because there are fewer nicer, more genuine or more humble people around.
Good luck on your purchase.
Sham
Size
Roger Smith is too big at 40mm for me.
Would be hard...
Maybe if you win the Powerball tonight can buy all 4
You cannot go wrong with any of them. Which watch calls out most to be bought? (nt)
For You to enquire, meet, feel, wear...
Thanks to all for your well thought out responses
Very impressed by his work
I am intrigued by Smith but the price point is pretty steep.
I am in no hurry but am possibly starting the journey into the world of Independants after collecting vintage .
None of these would be daily wearers and would be an absolute crown in my collection
Thanks again for all your thoughts
Julian
Vintage and independants in that order or in reverse order, it makes so much sense...
I can see from your location that meeting with some of the indies is probably quite a challenge, I am happy exchanging my impressions/ experience (KV/ de B, PD and LF) with you by PM if you want.
Kind regards
Z'
Thanks Nico , you are too kind. But I feel the lure of the Independent and may want my collection to go in different direction...If the $$ allows [nt]