Horological Meandering

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. . . it really mattered.





[Longines 30CH watch and photo credit: Steve G, posted now by previously granted permission]

Back then, workmanship like this was mostly appreciated by fellow watchmakers.

Today, finishing has become an end in itself, and a key measure of differentiation between manufacturers. 

Since I collect vintage only, my appreciation tends towards functional finishing.  If I were to acquire a modern piece with finish quality in mind, it may well be a Montblanc Villeret, which I take would qualify for Tier 2 by your standards, Imran. 

That would be more than enough to satisfy my appetite.

Best,

Art

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Your balanced view on the key desirability parameters resonates with me too.

Being able to get a watch whose mechanism was invented by the producer (e.g. Journe), while the functionality has a certain horological significance, and while the finishing is good enough to be considered excellent, this is what makes my heart beat, in a classic piece.

Thanks again Miranda and all the very best,
Alex

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You summed up these general characteristics:

I like your post. It's true that finishing is enjoyed only so often, except in the mind. But beautiful finishing is indeed a real pleasure those times you do grab your loop; or take some pictures and blow them up.

Rather like Gollum, though it may sometimes feel like we live under the Misty Mountains and work with orcs, yet having something precious can add value to our lives.

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If Journe and Chopard sell entry levels at that figure, can we set it as the standard for Tier 2?
I'd think so.
I also think so, but i do not think it always works this way..... which is a sad reality.

To me, it's the whole package that makes a great watch, not just the finishing. Also, different brands have their own strengths in particular areas of watchmaking and that plays into how people appreciate certain brands over others..

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and agree with you that there is so much more. I wrote something earlier in a different post which was along the same lines:
"Its not only about anglage and perlage and Geneva stripes, thats all great but when it comes to the stuff of dreams that push boundaries, thats what makes Vianney Halter so great...."
www.watchprosite.com
S

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The underpart of the movement is not finished by hand, but the part you can see is pretty wow, it seems. What do you think?

Where do you get the info about the underpart of Eichi 2 movement not finished by hand? I have heard about Simplicity but never heard that about Credor Eichi.
To me finishing is not exactly an important aspect of the watch I choose. Journes finishing is no where near most to level watch but it exudes a certain charm.
To me, it is very important that the spirit of the watch is something I believe in. The watch is going to be spent considerable amount of time with me and I would like to know that they are made with a certain concept and belief, and thus translate that belief and energy to me to live my everyday fully. Time is too precious to be spent with a timepiece that won't inspire you.

They were at the studio where it is made. The article noted that the parts underneath are cleanly machine finished in a utilitarian way like a Rolex, with a picture to support this.
As for FPJ, I have looked at my FPJs with a 10x loupe. I'm no expert, but it looks quite well finished with hand anglage, etc. However, the rotor on the automatics was machine finished.

I will probably have my friend to ask them directly. From what I know, they actually go all the way to make sure the underneath are nicely finished too. I used to own several Simplicities, a Kari Observatoire and had also owned several Journes before. So I can honestly say that Eichi 2 is definitely Tier 1. As for Journe, there's the old Journe and the new Journe. New Journe is obviously better finished but it's no where near the Tier 1. Journe's watch is not about finishing anyway.

I am interested to know more about it.

In the meantime, here is one with a picture of inside the movement
watchesbysjx.com
While here is another by sjx which show some pearlage done to dial-side parts
watchesbysjx.com

The jackpot takes care of my mistakenly double-posting a link above. Here is Mike's post from 2016 showing three good pics of inside the movement, with clean mechanical finishing:
www.watchprosite.com You can see a peak of pearlage on the plate underneath, which is the dial side. So, super finshing on the part facing the sapphire on the back, then just clean mechanical on parts holding the spring drive, then the dial side which again receives some pearlage at least. That's my guess. Still excellent!

which is rightly so since it is not necessary. Not sure about the mechanical finish though. I will double check but better not assume in this online era :P

Any info will be welcome, thanks!

I didn't think you were implying anything. Just curious where the info comes from as I ask fellow collectors and no one know the answer.

who is a very knowledgeable guy and had interviewed the Micro Artist watchmakers. He said they told him the put equal effort on the back of the movement, which are not seen. This was what I had heard in the past too. So I am very curious which blog or article you had seen that said it was machine finished. Please update us when you know where you read from. I had scanned through almost all but have not found one. It's not something important but it is interesting to know the detail

The finish on the plate with the spring drive quartz regulator is plain, as we've seen, but calling it machine finished may be wrong. Personally, I'm glad to have the conversation and learn more.
I'd like a high-end piece for daily wear and am fond of blue hands and markers dials. My ideas were an RWS (concerns about thickness, the movement itself for shock and longevity, and how I would enjoy the finish), the Frodsham (concerns about movement finish and longevity), Kari Voutilainen (concerns about how I never really love his work, although I should), the Rexhep if he'd do a custom dial, or the Eichi II (not really any concerns, now that we've talked about it).

Almost at the same level as his own creations.

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