Independents

Dear fellow Purists

I would like to know how you feel about the watches of Svend Andersen long time AHCI member based in Geneva.
Do you have any experience with these pieces? what is the quality like? How is he regarded as a watch maker?

His watches are indeed very playfull, are they regarded not serious?

I saw one of his pieces sold on the Antiqourium auction this week-end and I was surprised that it was not very expensive.
I know that he is famous for his Eros watches with very erotic motifs on the back and I know He has made several travelwatches.
I under stand he also holds several horological world records: e.g. Smallest calendar watch and thinnest world time watch.

I am taking the liberty of placing a link to his website, since it has a link to this site. www.andersen-geneve.ch /

I would be glad to hear what you think. Yyour experences and knowledge of this, not so often heard of, watch maker.

kind regards


Christian
This message has been edited by MTF on 2007-05-14 13:38:06

Hi, Christian,

I've owned several and still own three.

His series produced pieces work well (in my experience) and are nicely finished.

He's a creative "technical" type with a mischievous streak. Think technical solutions vs fine finishing.

Relatively speaking, I think his pieces are "surprisingly affordable" due to his watches being based on ebauche or even finished vintage movements, tweaked or fitted with his proprietary modules. Thus, a "tuner" rather than a full "manufacture"

Doesn't mean much to me, but to movement snobs, the perceived value difference is 10's of thousands of USD.

TM

I bought a couple of month's ago a Sven Anderson, and must say it's a really nice watch.
The watch is 42 mm white gold and with a open back, and i can say, if you find a nice one you like, then go for it, i think all of his watches are not made in 100's of pieces, so you will have something more unique then many orther brands.




Cheers,

Michel

Dear Thomas, Dear Michel

thank you for your nice responses.

Your watch is indeed very beautifull Michel, I could very well buy one of his pieces as you suggest.

Very intersting info on the Tec. versus the finishing, Thomas. I did not know his watches are based on ebauches, but I understand your "tuning picture" - if one likes cars, one can most likely also value AMG or Brabus. And I agree that in-house is not a quality stamp in itself.

I do  like his approach to horology - to make very expressive and playfull watches. This is not to say that this is the kind of watches that I prefer. I like watches based on simpler or more "conservative" values also (finishing, Nice simple dial, case etc.). However, with the pieces I have seen, I feel that he contributes to a more light hearted  and expressive approach. Like his watches are saying horology is a luxury and  so it should be full of joy and fun. I understand from his web-site that Franck Müller used to work with him. Maby a bit of that "crazyness" has rubbed of on FM?

anyway you have stimulated my couriosity even further. I will be in Geneva in june - if I can find the time, I will try to pay Mr Andersen a visit


Best Regards


Christian


PS: I apologize for the posting in the wrong section

a world time watch and another for the anniversary of Columbus detecting "America"





and a unique piece he created for me based on a small movement made by Henry Capt, a small pocket watch with minute repeater. He then cased it in a unique YG case according to my wishes, adding a perpetual calendar with retrograde date, 4-years indication and lunar phases, which I still possess:







Great watches. Warm regards

Lord Arran

for the pic´s.
Your custom piece is Beautiful. Lovely dial and case. were these made in the S.A. studio also, or does he concentrate mainly on the movement?
How do you activate the minute repetition?
It must be a wonderful experience to have a piece custom made. I already enjoyed reading the report on your most complex wristwatch in the world  - fantastic.
Do you wear the these highly exclusive pieces or do you enjoy them more as viewing pieces?

Please forgive my shameless curiosity.

Kind Regards

Christian

which you activate like on all other minute repeaters, except that the lever is cleverly hidden inside the case.

The case was certainly made by a case maker in Switzerland.

Yes, I wear most of my watches, albeit I have some predilections. On the other hand all my watches are divided. Some are in Switzerland, some here in France where I am at the moment and some others are in Thailand where I am from October to May every year.

This piece is particularly beautiful when you look at the dial which is guilloché.

Warm regards and I don't mind a bit your curiosity.

Lord Arran

Thank you  for your generous reply.

It is quite elegant with the hidden lever. 
The guilloché is very nice, I paticulaly like your last picture where the relief stands out.
On hte month dial there is a small aperture, I suspect this would have to do with the leap year indication.

Thank you again

sincerely

Christian

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That's a really beautiful watch, also the story that is is specialy made for you, must be great.
I also read some story's of your most complicated watch, very fascenating, but i never could find a picture of it, if it is possible to show it one more time, i would be thankfull.

regards,

Michel

Go to this link you will see a photo of the watch. Then click on the link to open the report of Dr. Magnus Bosse, which will give you all the details about the watch. Once you have read the first page and will arrive at the bottom, click on the 2nd topic and read down again, then the 3rd etc. unil the 5th link.

Enjoy and warm regards

Lord Arran

http://www.network54.com/Forum/125316/message/1057279136/New+article-+The+World%27s+Most+Complicated+Wristwatch

Indeed a very intresting and beautiful watch, and great that so many famous people where involved in the proces of making it, but where is the watch standing at this moment with all the complicasons, after VC Tour de lÍle, and the new Frank Muller  Aeternitas 4 Mega.
Is there a possibility that you would think of order a even more complicated watch, os is this it, would love to  hear your commend about this.

Regards,

Michel

watch of the world and hence to beat the Piguet/Muller/Gerber watch one day.

But up to know I don't know of anyone more complicated (speaking of traditional complications), but we don't know what the future brings.

However, being old as I am (72) years I don't think that I could commission another one lasting 15 years to develop.

Warm regards to you

Lord Arran

I notice it will soon belong to someone else , if sold in the Hong Kong auction. Are you considering something else of his ?