Together with some friends we drove trough Switzerland and visited some independents

[unknown]

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 :-)

[RTG]

Thank you for sharing this experience. Great pictures. I like the Cedric Johner chronograph quite a lot.

[shammad10]

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.

[TinFoilCat]

What an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing!

[ap1]

Thanks for including us

[unknown]

Originally Posted by RTG

Thank you for sharing this experience. Great pictures. I like the Cedric Johner chronograph quite a lot.

oops ...

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

[unknown]

Originally Posted by shammad10

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.

I took a pic from his website just to show the movement
Cause once again, my iPhone pics do suck big time lol

Iphone



Reality

[unknown]

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

[golfer_john]

Very cool!!

[Bazil]

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 …

[ButtButt]

Looks like an amazing trip, thanks for sharing!

[WatchEater666]

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?

[FrugalGreubel]

Wow amazing post. Thanks for sharing all these great photos. Looks like you had an amazing time.

[enjoythemusic]

Epic post and pics!!! Thx

[Ichiran]

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.

[991C4S]

Thank you for this, what an experience.

[Andad]

Hi B,

Thanks for taking the time to put this thread together.

All amazing timepieces.

In particular.:

[unknown]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

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?

No, since his production is extremely low they have nothing in stock
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

[Pw92676]

Superb photo journey. Must have been quite the experience to do so live, thanks for sharing so we can “tag along”

[llngoc]

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.

[mongrelnomoad]

Amazing reportage - thanks so much. The only question now is, how many do you have on order? ;)

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Andad

Hi B,

Thanks for taking the time to put this thread together.

All amazing timepieces.

In particular.:

+1 Big Time!

[RTG]

Originally Posted by unknown

oops ...

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

Now I like it even more... Thank you!

[charger_vital]

My vote of post of the year. What a great trip. Thanks for posting.

[HL65]

Wow very cool Bruno! Thanks for sharing and hope you are well!

[noobs]

Amazing, thanks so much. Did you end up buying anything?

[vliberman]

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..

[Lukla]

Thank you for sharing a great trip and reminding us of great independent watch makers. Love to see more posts from you.

[unknown]

Originally Posted by vliberman

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..

I can’t say much more…
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

[unknown]

Originally Posted by HL65

Wow very cool Bruno! Thanks for sharing and hope you are well!

That seems long ago ….
One of the oldtimers here 😁
I’m more than ok, hope you’re doing well too !!