Independents

Interesting, nice to see some technical innovation. Although, I find it funny how many will technically innovate but not post timing info.

But I don’t see the brand here?

monochrome-watches.com

don't have that budget for a watch - but what a beautiful beast

At least there's that new " old" escapement.

but aesthetically this watch could be taken for a Greubel Forsey or a Ferdinand Berthoud. So, not very original (and not my taste visually, but I know it’s only personal).
Anyway thanks for sharing this new release.
Best, Emmanuel

But do I like the style of this watch? No, personally, I don't appreciate this design, which has become so widespread, of exposing the movement on the dial side.
Best, Emmanuel

Reminds me of Cyril Brivet Naudot....without the charm

38.5mm and fantastic hand-finishing. I love it but too late now. There is nothing negative about this release. Darn, this is a bad miss for me.

The initial 12 watches have been sold but there will be another 68 produced (48 in precious metals and 20 special orders). For me personally, this is the most impressive watch released in the last 12 months and I will be trying to get an allocation with Mathieu Cleguer. The watch is priced well compared to a Gruebel Forsey.

If so, which version did you go for?

because I just ordered a tourbillon. Will update again when it is officially released.

and decided to place a deposit on a Berneron Mirage 34 instead. But if I did decide to go for a Cleguer, it would have been the white gold model.

Immediately after launch I emailed Mathieu and he gave me details of the 3 previous metal options saying there was still availability. I said I’d like to proceed and he replied saying he would look into allocations after W&W. I followed up after the event and he said it had been a busy time but he would be doing allocations and please can I give him some more details about my watch collecting journey. I gave a full response within a few hours, but despite following up a few times I’ve never heard from him again. I honestly don’t mind if he has decided to allocate to other people but it would be nice if he did me the courtesy of actually letting me know rather than just ghosting me after several email interactions. Puts me right off the guy (even if I’ll never get one of his watches!)

and they probably just need more time to go through their inbox. Be patient but I would keep reminding him about your request, via email and IG, until he replies.

We are the customer and any watchmaker, even if one who works alone, is obliged in my opinion to reply to potential customers. When one starts a watch brand no matter how small, it is not just about making good watches. It is also about communication and good customer service. This what makes buying from independents such a joy due to the purchasing experience. For example, Roger Smith has his wife Caroline looking after the replies to customers. Stefan Kudoke has his charming and efiicient wife Ev to look after his communication. Even if Matthew is not married, when starting a brand he should have thought of assigning someone to look after his communication if he is unable to do so himself.

Nothing wrong for lone wolf. In the past Kari Voutilainen could take weeks or more than a month to reply 1 message.

I must have been fortunate because Kari has been replying my emails within 24 hours since more than 15 years ago. In this competitive watch industry with many independents in the market, customers are allowed to be more demanding and discriminate not only on the basis of the watches offered but also the service and communication offered. These are the independents more likely to weather the storm when the industry is less healthy.

I only care about their watches. Akrivia can reply me in 10 years I don't care as long as he gives me his RRCCII.

We all have our purchasing criteria. For me the whole purchase experience is important which is why I am partial to MB&F who are a very customer centric company and Frodsham too who makes an effort to send a Christmas card annually to all its customers and also offers a refundable deposit policy which is rare in the industry.

Irrespective of how popular a watch is, a brand must always respond with courtesy to give an everlasting good impression of the brand. 

Marco Lang personally replied relatively quickly every time I emailed and was nice enough to say I was too slow
Personally I think even if you have a full wait list…it’s not much efffort to at least set up an auto responder 😂

Marco is a star and a lovely man.

I had nearly the same situation happen. Contact and then crickets after asking a few follow up questions about the order. Was committed then turned me off

I actually sent Mathieu another email last week but yet again zero response. Yes I’m turned off completely- it would only take a few seconds to do a polite reply to close off the matter. Very poor approach

It’s funny how one can go from all in to all out that fast for seemingly unrelated issues. I had a similar issue w a different brand order that was already ongoing. Too bad honestly.