Comments:
In this day, and in this market, your expectations were unrealistic.
I am not criticizing you in any way. But LF is not, by any means, the only brand to make subtle changes to its LEs to sell more watches. "LE" is marketing only. It means nothing as far as as the amount of watches a brand may manufacture, which are in every meaningful way the same or similar.
Live and learn
Thanks for the savvy words, Padj. Now I'll be more careful with so called LEs in the future. I guess marketing does work...
Ken
Ken
I can see how you decided to sell it. Not too concerned about LEs, but poor service is another matter. t(nt)
NT
On the bright side, the turnaroud for the service was pretty quick.
It only took about a month each time. Thanks for the comment, Ronald.
Ken
Ken
Ken...I think
you should consider getingt the Credor eichi 2 
Super accurate and somewhat similar vibe with your LF.
The eichi 2 is definitely on my radar.
Thanks for the very nice suggestion, CL. Unfortunately I've yet to see one in metal.
I think LE are pointless when it comes to Independants
because most of them are willing to customize your watch for you, for a modest fee or if you are lucky, free of charge.
most important was the customer service and the watch was fixed and in good condition when you got it back.
Glad you have moved on but it's good not to have such high expectations of LEs
cheers,
Winston
Commitment goes both ways
Thanks for your comment, Winston. The fundamental argument lies in whether I should've expected the piece to remain 'relatively unique' when I paid a premium for what was sold to me as such. Customization/creating my piece unique would be an option, and it'll be something to consider for the future.
Ken
Ken
Gronefeld makes some very fine watches.
Thanks for the suggestion! I have a slight preference for the parallax tourbillon over the remontoire in its lineup, too bad it won't fit me as I wear my watch on the right wrist.
Ken
Ken
They are a business after all
They don't charge the prices to make a truly piece unique on a time only enamel dial.
We all know the story about Kari too and how the brand grew.
It's the difference between getting a one off piece from an artisan (say, for example, customizing a newly commissioned DJN Daniel Roth) versus from a independent brand and business (Kari, LF, GF, etc). It is simply unfair to expect a business to keep such a common design - white enamel dial - truly unique. That said, perhaps you can ask LF to do some engraving to the case back to make it more unique to you and the 17 others?
There're different ways to running a business
Thanks for your comment. Of course it's a business. In spite of my disappointment, I truly hope that they make a healthy profit from selling their pieces, because it's the only way they'll keep creating new ones. One of the appeals for indies (to me anyway) is that there's a closer relationship between brands and their collectors/fans. A white enamel dial by no means should be unique to any one watch, and it isn't to the LF lineup, which I completely accept. What I was less willing to accept was that LF seemed to have adopted the big brands' practice- you're only as good as your next purchase.
I wish LF the best, but I'm out for now.
Ken
I wish LF the best, but I'm out for now.
Ken
Just saying
I guess my comments is worthless when I have a WG DayDate with a Platinum dial. LOLOL
Very big disappointment
I'm sorry about your situation.
Thanks for sharing. Lesson learned for me.
It's good that we all share good, and some not so good experience.
Thanks for reading, Jim.
Thanks for posting your story..here is my view on this matter and LE in general
I like the idea of limited pieces and I can see how you feel betrayed but what happened. This said I can tell you from my own experience (from a piece unique)
that LE are not that much fun after all.
The idea to have something that only a few selected number of people have is a myth. Is not real at all. it doesn't make you one bit special to have something unique because by definition
each watch will be unique to you once you own it.
First I think that the odds that you will ever meet anyone else with the sub-variation of your dial are close to zero. Secondly, even meeting someone else with a LF are very low but of course if
you have other friends that are watch lovers this probability increase. Now to what the manufacturer did: nothing unethical in my view. They had a good design and created some different variations of it.
Many Independents (e.g. Moser) do it all the time probably because a lot of people/the market like these micro LE. Perhaps this is the only way to survive and justify the very high pricing for a time only watch.
I am just somehow saddened by the fact that you liked the watch (and the initial problem was solved) but sold it mostly for the steel instagram post. I just don't think it makes much sense but
perhaps you didn't like the watch that much after all.
Regarding service issues this is everywhere including Patek etc. so nothing new here....
My suggestion is to wear what you like and enjoy it regardless of the LE illusion that once again is unreal.
Christian
It isn't just because of the steel piece.
Thanks for sharing your view, Christian. You're right that the chance of meeting someone with the same LF (platinum or steel) would be slim. It'll most likely lead to a fun conversation even in such case.
The key issue for me here is commitment (on both sides). I never considered LF to be unethical. As mentioned in an earlier response, i fell for a piece that was sold to me as 'relatively special', and I'd expect the other side of the deal to make an effort to commit equally to this relationship. Seeing the steel piece was the first sign that I might have been romanticizing with the notion. The service issue was rubbing salt on the wound. I'd rather learn from this experience than keeping a souvenir that reminds me of an unpleasant experience. Watch collecting is an emotional hobby after all.
I did like the watch, it's why I don't regret owning it. I also have no problem recommending LF products to fellow collectors- they're very well made. That watch deserves a better home. It's just best for me to move on.
Ken
The key issue for me here is commitment (on both sides). I never considered LF to be unethical. As mentioned in an earlier response, i fell for a piece that was sold to me as 'relatively special', and I'd expect the other side of the deal to make an effort to commit equally to this relationship. Seeing the steel piece was the first sign that I might have been romanticizing with the notion. The service issue was rubbing salt on the wound. I'd rather learn from this experience than keeping a souvenir that reminds me of an unpleasant experience. Watch collecting is an emotional hobby after all.
I did like the watch, it's why I don't regret owning it. I also have no problem recommending LF products to fellow collectors- they're very well made. That watch deserves a better home. It's just best for me to move on.
Ken
There are many reasons why we fall out of love with a watch, and I think these are valid ones
1. white dial in steel looks an awful lot like white dial in platinum (no longer limited but much cheaper too)
2. service issues twice
3. general sense of disappointment and disillusionment with the brand
I've had these feelings several times and in both cases resolved it as you did, by selling the watch. But only after some wailing and gnashing of teeth.
What can we learn from this?
Some of us don't care about limited editions -- others do
Some of us aren't bothered by service issues if resolved -- others find their confidence undermined
As this is a discretionary, and emotional hobby, our feelings about the watch are as important as the "facts". We don't really buy all these watches just to tell time, do we?
Thanks for sharing this painful experience.
Cazalea
Collecting is made more interesting because we all have different views and preferences.
Thank you for the great summary, Cazalea. We definitely don't buy watches just to tell time!
Ken
Ken
Thanks for sharing your story!
I understand how you feel.
Once the “magic feeling” goes - the mojo is lost.
Once the “magic feeling” goes - the mojo is lost.
Sympathy
Hello,
I fully understand your disappointment.
Limited editions are limited editions and so they should be. There aren't any longer "limited" if what constitutes their exclusivity is reproduced thereafter. Your sensitivity to this dimension was probably already tested by the fact that the watch was not in the condition it should have been in what you got it. Such a disappointment it must have been. I can also understand that your perception of quality was seriously eroded when you saw the watch in the state it was after the first servicing. This kills any sense of closeness, pride in ownership, all feeling og trust in the product, the AD and the watchmaker and that feeling of exclusivity.
I would strongly advise you in the future to do without an AD when purchasing such a high quality watch and go directly to the source. You'll be much better off with the whole experience. The watchmaker will then know you personally just as you will know him personally and you will have the possibility to define exactly what you want and make sure that it will not be reproduced. You can state your conditions and expectations.
I know where I would go should you consider another beautiful time only watch.
You are welcome to contact me by pm and I will tell you my experience with a particular watchmaker. In my opinion in this category, the choice is very limited. LF would not be on my list, precisely because they do not do the componants of their watches. They have it made somewhere else.They buy them elsewhere. Yes also their dials.
Best regards
Z'
Going directly to a source is definitely an option worth considering in the future. Will be in touch for your advice.
Thanks Z. As for ADs, there're good ones, and others that frankly add very little value. For example, the dealer who sold me the LF was instrumental in helping me understand independent watchmaking. He showed me pieces that I would only see online, and set up appointments for me to meet with the watchmakers. I value those experience tremendously. I don't blame him for selling me the LF. In my case, the local AD that handled the repair was not the same AD that sold the watch. I bought it overseas as it's only available there.
I already have some ideas on the next time only watch... let me pick your brain on this next project.
Ken
I already have some ideas on the next time only watch... let me pick your brain on this next project.
Ken
I had similar experiences
with many top brands. Attention to detail is often not there. I gave up on watches in the early 90's too many headaches. Got back in around 2010 and it seems better.
There are two things in your post which are very interesting.
1/ The Fact that LF took care of your watch. Good point. There are too often disappointments on that matter that when a normal treatment happens, it seems extraordinary while it is just normal.
2/ The notion of exclusivity. I do get your point, but I learned that most of the time, it is a very relative notion.
I buy my watches not because they seem to be exclusive, but just because I love them.
All the best, Ken, and thanks for sharing your feelings with us.
Nicolas