Gronefeld Principia discontinued?

[unsprung]

Originally Posted by dchang81

The thing that I don't get is are they that behind that the order books have been closed for 2.5 years? Id get it if all their models are selling for crazy money, but in this case principias are going for nearly half off...id be interested but at the same time makes me wonder the longevity of the brand

They‘ve had a multi year waiting list after reopening for the two new models. and people had to pay 50% in advance to get on the list. Question is, if they do a full refund, if someone cancels his order (which is not yet in production). If they don‘t (fully) refund, there will probably be very few cancellations. The market downturn will then take a very long time to actually result in short(er) supply times. Just a guess, though. Don‘t know their actual refund policy.

[vliberman]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Not true. I don't think you are following any of these brands enough.

Demand has fallen, supply still limited. You are both right in a way. Auctions are back to being poor indicators of real market price, just like pre COVID.

[jcarm981]

Originally Posted by unsprung

They‘ve had a multi year waiting list after reopening for the two new models. and people had to pay 50% in advance to get on the list. Question is, if they do a full refund, if someone cancels his order (which is not yet in production). If they don‘t (fully) refund, there will probably be very few cancellations. The market downturn will then take a very long time to actually result in short(er) supply times. Just a guess, though. Don‘t know their actual refund policy.

30% non refundable deposit and multi year wait. Maybe they’ll come out with a replacement or refresh this spring. Deltaworks was getting quoted 5+ years back in 2022.

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by vliberman

Demand has fallen, supply still limited. You are both right in a way. Auctions are back to being poor indicators of real market price, just like pre COVID.

Supply is always limited for these artisanal independents due to the hours involved, but yet from my own frustrating hunt for these watches, I do think demand has increased exponentially for these artisanal independents over the past years. I have been trying ever harder (establishing contacts, attend more events, flew to greet in person, etc) and yet I can't get most of these watches. It's well documented in the past you can get these artisanal watches easily from the likes of Dufour, Smith and Akrivia. It's impossible now. The train has left.

Re auctions, there are less of these artisanal watches than the likes 1518 and 2499 in every auction. They are the first thing I look out for in every catalogue.

[unsprung]

Originally Posted by jcarm981

30% non refundable deposit and multi year wait. Maybe they’ll come out with a replacement or refresh this spring. Deltaworks was getting quoted 5+ years back in 2022.

Checked my mails. You‘re right, 30% not 50%. Still, if non refundable, the market downturn (which happened after the release of the two new models) will have no immediate effect on order backlog.