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Bare bones custom watch

post #1 of 19
9/20/09 at 8:32am
Thread Starter 
This is probably the wrong forum, but are there any good artisanal makers who can produce a very simple mechanical watch (time only, no date, preferably automatic) for non-astronomical prices? (I.e., for me < $10k, considerably less if possible)
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post #2 of 19
9/20/09 at 8:55am
You might ask Tourby
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post #3 of 19
9/20/09 at 3:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pabloj View Post
You might ask Tourby

Aren't they considerably more expensive than 10k even at entry level?
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post #4 of 19
9/20/09 at 3:09pm
You could check with RGM. They make beautiful watches but I don't know what they'd do in or around your budget for a true custom. For 10k though, you could have a helluva nice time only piece from a major manufacture. Why the need for custom?
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post #5 of 19
9/20/09 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by radicaldog View Post
Aren't they considerably more expensive than 10k even at entry level?
Their "RTW" starts from 500€ I think that their hand engraved start from 1000€, 10k should be for gold cased ones
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post #6 of 19
9/20/09 at 5:29pm
Depends on what you mean by 'custom'. If you want a custom, one-off movement, you're out of luck--but I can't imagine why you'd want that, particularly if you're just looking for a time only watch. Assuming you are looking for a watch with a custom dial, custom hands, a case of your choosing, and a movement decorated to your preferences, there are lots of sources. After all, ETAs are cheap.

I would look into RGM in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They have an inhouse U.S.-made movement that is very cool (the first new U.S.-made movement in decades), and vintage movements decorated to preference. You can pick the case, dial, etc.
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post #7 of 19
9/20/09 at 5:37pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mafoofan View Post
Depends on what you mean by 'custom'. If you want a custom, one-off movement, you're out of luck--but I can't imagine why you'd want that, particularly if you're just looking for a time only watch. Assuming you are looking for a watch with a custom dial, custom hands, a case of your choosing, and a movement decorated to your preferences, there are lots of sources. After all, ETAs are cheap.

I would look into RGM in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They have an inhouse U.S.-made movement that is very cool (the first new U.S.-made movement in decades), and vintage movements decorated to preference. You can pick the case, dial, etc.

Yes, a custom movement would be overkill. But somehow I don't want yet another ETA-powered watch (like the Eberhard I wear daily) -- that just sounds soulless. There has to be some connection between design of the movement and basic design of the case, dial, etc (even though I get to choose the details of the exterior). So RGM sounds very interesting: Thanks!
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post #8 of 19
9/23/09 at 4:50pm
I would ask Dirk Dornblueth if he could produce a customized watch at a premium to his regular prices. Maybe a dark grey dial steel 99.2 with white hands... ?
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post #9 of 19
9/23/09 at 5:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mafoofan View Post

I would look into RGM in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They have an inhouse U.S.-made movement that is very cool (the first new U.S.-made movement in decades), and vintage movements decorated to preference. You can pick the case, dial, etc.

Thanks for turning me on to these guys. I went to college in Lancaster so that adds a little something to the brand for me.
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post #10 of 19
9/23/09 at 5:09pm
Here's RGM caliber 801, made in the U.S.A, in gold-plated and rhodium-plated versions:



The default case and dial to match the 801:

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post #11 of 19
9/23/09 at 5:10pm
My problem with Murphy is more with his dials than his movements. Not a huge fan of his general aesthetic, although some of them are nice.
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post #12 of 19
9/23/09 at 5:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gdl203 View Post
My problem with Murphy is more with his dials than his movements. Not a huge fan of his general aesthetic, although some of them are nice.

Somewhat agreed. The guilloche can be done to varying levels of taste, so the final result is highly dependent on the customer. If I ever order a watch from them, I'd get a relatively simple dial.
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post #13 of 19
9/23/09 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mafoofan View Post
Somewhat agreed. The guilloche can be done to varying levels of taste, so the final result is highly dependent on the customer. If I ever order a watch from them, I'd get a relatively simple dial.

Do you think he would agree to keep his logo off the dial? I find the logo to be on the fugly side to begin with...
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post #14 of 19
9/23/09 at 5:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gdl203 View Post
Do you think he would agree to keep his logo off the dial? I find the logo to be on the fugly side to begin with...

I've seen them do 'Roland G. Murphy" instead of "RGM", which I kind of prefer. I'm not sure if they'd keep the logo off, but I wouldn't be surprised if they would. They seem very flexible.
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post #15 of 19
9/23/09 at 6:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gdl203 View Post
Do you think he would agree to keep his logo off the dial? I find the logo to be on the fugly side to begin with...
+1 . That and all the guillocheing are turn offs. Why is the movement special? Other than the fact that its the first one made in American in many years.
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