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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,847
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Together with some friends we drove trough Switzerland and visited some independents
And I'm pretty sure 90% on this forum or even more won't know them. Those who are into independents probably will , but even then ... Not sure if you know All 5.
If you're more into big brands or definitely when you're a Rolex only guy ... Well you might want to look at this cause a totally new world might open :-) I'll let the Pictures speak from themselves. Hervé Schlüchter ![]() Pics from his atelier and some of the tools he uses ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() For the moment his only reference he makes but I've seen the second and third watch that will be produced. These will be more complicated but I can't show them cause they are under embargo ![]() ![]() Beat Haldimann ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I believe there is just under 10 people working with him, so a little staff ![]() One of his watches which is now in production ![]() Vianney Halter The master with his daughter 'Victoire' ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() some watches now The latest one 'Art Deco' ![]() ![]() Known from the beginning around 30 years ago, the perpetual ![]() ![]() Extreme complicated ![]() And even more complex ![]() ![]() Just to give some of you guys an idea what we're talking about This part, ( picture above) I agree it is a bigger part but still ... It takes 45 hours !!! to finish this to the desired level. That's more than 1 entire week, just for polishing, bevelling ... 1 part !! In one week Rolex makes more than 21.000 watches ... Yosuke Sekiguchi Japanese watchmaker that lives and works in Switzerland If you like more classic watches, this is great ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() His movement is made in-house. He was inspired by old pocket watches, hence the style These Iphone pics really don't do justice the the art he delivers ![]() Cedric Johner ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Xhevdet Rexhepi Yes the brother Rexhep Rexhepi you might know from Akrivia. They worked together a very long time but Xhevdet decided to go his own way ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() What the hell is a mass produced Patek doing here ??? Well het graduated at Patek and this was his 'Montre école' Or his school watch ![]() ![]() and his first piece ... Sublime finishing !!! ![]() ![]() ![]() That was about it. Do know all these pics were taken wit an iPhone so all looks better in real I have a lot more pics but putting this post together took already more than enough time ;-) It was a great 4 days with 2 friends, I hope you liked what I could share with you guys. BTW, this was the car we drove. Great when you're in the mountains cause not all of these guys are located in Geneva :-) ![]() Something really cool and not such an in your face stupid G class Mercedes :-)
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#2 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: USA
Watch: YM42 Ti
Posts: 2,617
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Thank you for sharing this experience. Great pictures. I like the Cedric Johner chronograph quite a lot.
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 860
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Thanks for sharing.
Big fan of Yosuke Sekiguchi- hairspring podcast did a little section about him (and other Japanese independents) earlier in the year which was great. |
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: UK
Watch: IWC Ingenieur 3508
Posts: 49
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What an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing!
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#5 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: usa
Posts: 19,312
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Thanks for including us
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#6 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,847
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Quote:
seems I posted 2 times the watch itself and I forgot the back so the movement Here you go ![]() ![]() High end manual finishing, believe me These pics made with an iPhone are so bad for macro shots indoor
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#7 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,847
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Quote:
Cause once again, my iPhone pics do suck big time lol Iphone ![]() Reality ![]()
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,847
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After spending hours and hours with all of these guys we had diner (3 evenings) with them
The stories you hear the passion they share. Getting invited to their homes. Learning to know them Honestly this is so much more than visiting a big brand where every one does his 9 to 5 job Don't get me wrong? I do like big brands too but the difference ?? Man it are completely different worlds. Not even in the same galaxy
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#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: USA
Posts: 88
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Very cool!!
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#10 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Real Name: Bazil Brush
Location: Star Gazing
Watch: Any Daytona
Posts: 3,142
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Breguet over-coil in the tourbillon …
Bridges removed and finishing looks amazing .. What a trip that looks like for horology, stunning - thanks for the insight …
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#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Asia
Posts: 800
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Looks like an amazing trip, thanks for sharing!
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,841
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Haldimann is extremely underrated. IMO his work is much more impressive than other independents who are way overhyped.
Did you get a chance to see his resonance watch and play with it? |
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#13 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: NY
Watch: Voutilainen (2030)
Posts: 700
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Wow amazing post. Thanks for sharing all these great photos. Looks like you had an amazing time.
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#14 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 20,301
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Epic post and pics!!! Thx
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__________________ Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory. |
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#15 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Real Name: Michael
Location: Dotonbori
Watch: Mostly blue dials
Posts: 7,816
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Thanks for sharing. This is the type of trip I would love to make. That Minute Inerte is beautifully finished and in a non-conventional way. What a piece of art.
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#16 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 179
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Thank you for this, what an experience.
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Audemars Piguet ROO Diver x Chopard LUC XPS 1860 Chopard LUC Quattro x Girard Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 81020 H Moser Cie Endeavour x Manufacture Royale 1770 Flying Tourbillon Rolex Datejust II 116300 x Vacheron Constantin Overseas 47040 |
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#17 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Eddie
Location: Australia
Watch: A few.
Posts: 37,219
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Hi B,
Thanks for taking the time to put this thread together. All amazing timepieces. In particular.:
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#18 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,847
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Quote:
We were lucky to see the one in the picture It’s was ready for a client and he would pick it up a few day later. So if you visit them today I’m pretty sure they can’t show you any watch
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#19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Georgia
Posts: 6,255
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Superb photo journey. Must have been quite the experience to do so live, thanks for sharing so we can “tag along”
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: USA
Posts: 2,507
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Thanks for sharing. Are you going to set up a tour which we can sign up? :-)
The Xhevdet and Haldimann H1 are on my bucket list. Hope it will come true one day. |
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#21 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,870
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Amazing reportage - thanks so much. The only question now is, how many do you have on order? ;)
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#22 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 20,301
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Quote:
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__________________ Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory. |
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#23 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: USA
Watch: YM42 Ti
Posts: 2,617
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Now I like it even more... Thank you!
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#24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Basel
Watch: LF Sport & Pepsi
Posts: 975
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My vote of post of the year. What a great trip. Thanks for posting.
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#25 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Ken
Location: SW Florida
Watch: One on my wrist.
Posts: 63,695
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Wow very cool Bruno! Thanks for sharing and hope you are well!
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#26 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: LA
Watch: your 6
Posts: 245
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Amazing, thanks so much. Did you end up buying anything?
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: los angeles
Posts: 286
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Could u please give a bit more color on Cedric Johner. Interested in his work but never had a chance to hold any watches made by him..
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#28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Real Name: Henry
Location: Korea/California
Watch: Breguet/ALS/Patek
Posts: 75
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Thank you for sharing a great trip and reminding us of great independent watch makers. Love to see more posts from you.
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#29 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,847
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Quote:
Spent a lot of time with him during an afternoon and we had diner together For the moment the only watch he is making is the chronograph I showed He is working on a new watch, I saw pics but I’m not allowed to share it cause it’s still under embargo…. And it might take some time before it’s finished Don’t expect it in the next months but rather 2025 It’s a guy who is very passionate about watches so if you ever get the chance to see him …. Do it
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#30 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,847
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That seems long ago ….
One of the oldtimers here 😁 I’m more than ok, hope you’re doing well too !!
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