In addition to the three major watchmaking groups LVMH, Richemont Group and Swatch, there are also some independent watchmaking brands, which are collectively referred to as independent watchmaking. Independent watchmaking brands are even more top-end, and they are luxury products among luxury products. For one thing, this type of watch is limited in number and precious; for another, it has a unique personality style and technology, which is very collectible. At present, well-known independent watch brands include Patek Philippe, Parmigiani, Frank Muller, Zunda, Haojue, Daninov, Filidev, NHC, MB & F, Harry Winston, etc.
What is an independent watchmaker
When major brands can use modern computers and mechanization to produce tens of thousands of watches each year, independent watchmakers choose to return to classical watchmaking methods, in order to reduce the horological modernization of the watch industry in these years is too fast.
怎样 What kind of people are independent watchmakers? First of all, most of them are Swiss, but also from countries around Switzerland, such as French, German, and Chinese. Although they come from all over the world, their number is poor. There are no more than 40 independent watchmakers (plus deceased and alternates) registered with the AHCI (Independent Watchmaker Institute). Although not all independent watchmakers have to join AHCI, this number can basically be obtained from The side reflects the true condition of the independent watchmaker.
In the quiet valley, independent watchmakers are trying to help the watch industry to recover lost craftsmanship and traditional production methods; they have seriously enlarged the ‘artistic’ characteristics of mechanical watches, and the independent watchmaker is characterized by the structure and function of the movement. The brand-new ideas also include the unique design of the layout and appearance. Each person must independently design, process, assemble and adjust a watch or clock to complete a completely new concept. Therefore, the craftsmanship of independent watchmakers is often higher than ordinary. ‘Industry Standard’.
Goals of independent watchmakers
Well-known independent watchmaker Richard Mille spent a full 3 and a half years in designing his personal works RM011 in order to reach the level of satisfaction. He said that his buddies would collapse when they finally assembled the watch. Watchmaking itself is a technical work, and the manufacturing process is very flexible. It takes a certain amount of time from the budding of inspiration to the judgment of its feasibility. Therefore, the finished product of each watch is valuable and has been repeatedly collected by billionaires. .
Although the value is high, making money is not the sole goal of the industry, and sometimes it is easy to fall into a dilemma because of this untimely persistence. The independent watchmaker’s personal brand is full of the strong personal style of the watchmaker. From the dial design to the material, it is determined by himself. The watch parts are polished by smart hands. The consumed workmanship and energy are far from mechanized watches. As a result, this has increased the number of followers, but the too expensive price has discouraged many people.
Major independent watch brands
1. PATEK PHILIPPE
2. Parmigiani Fleurier
3. Franck Muller
4. Rolex
5. Audemars Piguet (Audemars Piguet)
6. Girard-Perregaux (Girard Perregaux)
7. Chopard
8. Gerald Genta
9.MB & F
10. Harry Winston (Harry Winston)