Hi
I'm looking to buy a watch in the £2-5k range but I want something that isn't the standard Rolex, Tag etc. I'd like something Swiss made with a bit of a story, something small and independent that not everyone has on their wrist.
Style wise I like this sort of thing (if it helps) http://www.baume-et-mercier.co.uk/clifton-10123.html
Basically my watch knowledge is pretty poor so I'm looking for recommendations as to which brands might be worth looking at. Also, I have friends in Switzerland and could do with an excuse to go see them so doesn't necessarily have to be available in the UK.
Thanks for your help
If you're after something that you're not going to bump into someone else wearing then Ulysse Nardin are absolutely awesome watches.
I also quite rate the Swiss/Cuban brand Cuervo Y Sobrinos
I've only had one (Prominente), but the style of it was a million miles from the standard high street fare. Good discounts too as they've never really taken off in the UK.
'Aerowatch'. A family owned Swiss independent
Very good quality watches & within your budget...
http://shop.aerowatch.com/chronograp...1948-AA01.html
Oris. Older than Rolex and one of the few independents left (most other Swiss brands have been bought up by LVMH etc).
http://www.oris.ch/en/collections/oris-artelier
Alpina fits your criteria.
http://www.alpina-watches.com/
How about Frédérique Constant
http://home.frederique-constant.com/en
One brand screams to me as a response to the is post, and that is Zenith!
Isn't Zenith owned by LVMH? Personally I've always been a big fan of Titoni - possibly the last of the original family owned old Swiss watch companies. Unfortunately, they don't have anything like that Baume et Mercier.
Alpina is owned by Frederique Constant, or rather both are owned by the same company. So not strictly an independent brand.Originally Posted by Kingstepper
Aside from those already mentioned, Breitling (not exactly uncommon), Maurice Lacroix, Glycine, Fortis, Tutima are all I can think of. Glycine I have a soft spot for, and they are uncommon.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Have a look at Habring2.
Or there's Dornbluth if you're in no hurry...
Edited to add; I should probably read thread titles; I've recommended an Austrian and a German brand...
Last edited by DB9yeti; 24th March 2016 at 23:11.
Fortis & Glycine. Or go German perhaps? Muhle & Nomos are well worth a look. Eberhard also is another excellent off the radar watch manufacturer.
Perrelet are good swiss made watches .
https://www.perrelet.com/en
Another vote for Glycine here (I love my Airman 1953)
However, I would definitely look at the Vulcain Cricket - Page and Cooper.
If we are talking German, try Sinn and Glasutte Original
https://shop.chronoswiss.com/media/c...7543K_11_1.JPG
Chronoswiss for something a bit unusual- lots of variety
https://shop.chronoswiss.com/media/c...3.1_71-2_1.JPG
I would take a look at Eterna and Zenith. They make some stunning pieces
For a moment I was scratching my head but plenty of good suggestions here.
Zeitwinkel do some nice watches.
Didn't know that - reading their blurb was under the impression they were independent/family owned.
Last edited by Kingstepper; 25th March 2016 at 08:57.
Zenith are part of LVMH and Eterna is owned by some Chinese conglomerate. OP said he wanted independent (although his example of B&M are part of Richemont group)
Glashutte Original is a SwatchCo brand.
Hanhart, maybe? Don't think they're part of a conglomerate.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
You are absolutely right re. Glashutte (which I also spelt wrong ! ) not being independent I guess I was trying to think of something that hit the 'not your standard' criteria.
Isn't Glycine now owned by the Chinese?
James Sadilek - ccwatchmaker
I think Glycine is owned by the same (Chinese) parent company as everyone's favourite headless-chicken brand - Maurice Lacroix. Last I heard, the latter was being hived off to someone (best of luck with that!) but the former is humbly profitable so lives to fight another day...
SGR
Another vote for Vulcain. Beautiful watches, mostly in house movements, and you won't come across that many of them. I am quite tempted myself one day.....
Would something from Speake Marin fit the bill? If you want something really special.
Peter's English though, still counted?
Certina are Swiss but not sure about small or independent. How about Paiget?
Piaget - nice and different, but not independent - Richemont Group.
Seiko makes EVERYTHING in house, starting with the material.
they even grow the quartz for their quartz watches.
the work on GS is top level and movement is in house with quartz level accuracy.
here's on great example
http://www.grand-seiko.com/collectio...hp?pid=SBGJ001
Last edited by tzachi; 2nd April 2016 at 22:13.
They make their own metal?
"Bite my shiny metal ass."
- Bender Bending Rodríguez
Girard-Perregaux, Ulysse Nardin...?
I have the UN Maxi Marine which I love, and have an eye out for the GP Chrono Hawk.
Oh, and Chopard - they make some nice watches esp LUC Pro One
Where abouts in Switzerland are they based?
Part of Richemont, but still independent enough -- Jaeger-LeCoultre
corum perhaps?
Fortis?
SGR
Individual choice, but owned by the same Chinese group called Citychamp (this week, anyway) that owns Rotary, Dreyfuss and Eterna. This is a factor if you're going strictly for a mediaeval, only ever family-owned Jura mountains Swiss gnome cowbells and raclette type of company :). But it is lesser known and not a mall/high street brand.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
I'd be looking closely at and Eberhard or maybe a Chopard
if German is ok then Chronoswiss make some superb stuff
and having said all that, theres a GP Seahawk on sales corner that is a great piece at £2.5k- I had one of those a while back and they are quite a thing.
Alloys, I think they do own their own foundry
Swiss, check
Independent, check
Family owned, check
Private Company, check
Not Rolex, check
low production numbers, check
Price £2k-£5k, bugger
I was thinking Patek Philippe
Quality is good though. I have a corum Romulus and it has a really nice finish!
i'd be looking at tudor for your price bracket , made by rolex but a third of the price .
have a look at the black bay's , pelages and chrono blue
Not 2k but a great watch with real history to is the Glycine Airman.
Another vote for Eberhard and Co, the new Scafograf 300 looks good.
How about Dubey Schaldenbrand? Not a brand you see every day!
Oris do some nice stuff
Is used an option?
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Vachero...FUeeGwod9fkOVQ
Ball?
I may be entirely wrong about them being independant, but I believe they are American / Swiss... certainly headquartered in Switzerland.
They make some great watches in your price range, I have an Aviator Dual Time which is lovely.
I can find evidence of the being independant up to the 1990's...
Not really the right style but Edox make some nice watches. Independent then bought by Swatch but bought back out again I believe.
A
Eterna seems to tick all the boxes, except they aren't really independent. They are owned by a Chinese firm, but are the only Swiss watch maker in their stable, so sort of (but not really) independent.
AS someone has already suggested, Dubey & Schaldenbrand.
Some very interesting peices, or more so the movements. Lots of vintage calibres in small production runs powering some of their stuff.
Pretty sure its a Lady who rebooted the Company( or name at least ) and the story is she went round buying up loads of NOS vintage obselete highend movements from yesteryear and put them in new watches....
I have had a few in the past and have always been impressed by the style and quality.
RRPs are high, but always discounted somewhere.
If those don't appeal, maybe see if you can one a Villemont sitting around in a dealer somewhere.
Davosa are Swiss, very small independent. I like a lot of there designs just never seen one in the flesh despite trying different places in Europe.
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