Which brand in this tier of luxury watches provide timepieces worth buying?

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Big Spender

...Thx

Wow, many truly excellent suggestions on this thread, which one did you decide to get Big Spender?

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Other than Journe, a number of them are more than 95% in-house, like Voutilainen, Roger Smith, Greubel Forsey, Akrivia, Bexei, etc. These watchmakers spend a lot of time doing hand-finishing /hand-making which take up a lot of the manufacturing time. Journe doesn't do much hand-finishing though, and he stamps all his dials, so he is probably the most efficient of the bunch.

Wonder how come Voutilainen delay is so long now. When I first interested in placing an order, the delivery window is under 1 year. And after that, it seems like every 3 months the delivery date gets pushed out many months. It almost feels like he should close the order book for now so the existing orders can get cleared out. When the order book is stretched out to 2028+ while all the orders already have a 20-30% deposit, it seems safe to close the order book for a year or two.

On the other hand, it is disappointing to see GF increasing production and shift focus to the less refined sports line. I would rather see a smaller Signature One like model than more Balancier's.

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by llngoc

On the other hand, it is disappointing to see GF increasing production and shift focus to the less refined sports line. I would rather see a smaller Signature One like model than more Balancier's.

Their interior angles have disappeared. I quite like the Signature 1 but the retail price is more than double the Origine, a handmade watch finished to very impressive standards. My money goes to Sylvain Pinaud.

Btw MB&F also doubling to 500 by 2024.

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Their interior angles have disappeared. I quite like the Signature 1 but the retail price is more than double the Origine, a handmade watch finished to very impressive standards. My money goes to Sylvain Pinaud.

Btw MB&F also doubling to 500 by 2024.

The Balancier is nice but not 280k nice to me. GF should have stayed with the original DNA but I guess the new CEO is hired to "right the ship".

I thought MB&F is increasing production by 20% this coming year and same 20% for the following 2-3 years? 2x in one year is a lot. Maybe my LM Sequential will show up sooner than expected.

[GB-man]

Kari isn’t actually hands on with the watches anymore correct? I thought he was just a ceo at this point? Speaking of which what’s going on with UJ I was excited about that project and have heard not a peep.

Not hating on Kari I’d kill for a v8. That Chocolate brown combo is fire. I don’t have the patience for that long though. I recall a few members here ordering and getting them in like 8 months. How times have changed.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by GS719691

Very nice. What strap is that?

Delugs elastic

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Kari isn’t actually hands on with the watches anymore correct? I thought he was just a ceo at this point? Speaking of which what’s going on with UJ I was excited about that project and have heard not a peep.

You are probably correct as most work is done by his team of watchmakers now.

BTW, anyone saw the new Worldtimer CSW? Any opinion? The price is a little on the high side IMHO.

For UJ, I think his daughter Veena (sp?) is running the operation there. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. When he first got UJ, he did mention he will wait a year before making his mark. UJ shares so much DNA with Voutilainen, it will be a perfect stepping stone to the brands. Sort of a gateway drug.

[GS719691]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Delugs elastic

Thank you. It suits your watch perfectly.