Super Machines & Horological Machines - Independents Part 5

Simple classical watches are difficult to make. But if you put deft touches to the watch and finish it to a level that only grand masters can, you have a winner! That to me is the story of the Galet Classic Micro Rotor from Mr. Laurent Ferrier.

I really like the creations of Laurent just like I adore the Simplicity by Dufour as simple watches are the most difficult to make. Take a look at this masterpiece.

The white enamel dial is immaculately crafted and the level of finishing on the hands are incredible.

While we marvel at the dial side, also enjoy the movement. As with all Grand Masters, the level of finishing is unbelievable.

Also on display is the Galet Traveller which is a two time zone watch. The window at the Nine O'Clock position indicates the home time and the two buttons on the left side of the case allows the user to adjust time forwards or backwards.

And I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph this piece - the Galet Secret with a dragon motif on a Meissen porcelain dial.

Originally, the dial is looks like a dark grey sunburst guilloché dial but when the button is depressed, the "dial" fans out to reveal the intricately painted porcelain dial. But what is even more incredible is the watch is set to "fan" out to reveal the porcelain dial every day at a pre-determined time. For one hour, the owner will watch the "curtain" fan out revealing the dial. The time at which the fan reveals is done in the factory prior to delivery. This is an incredible invention that only a creative master can think of.

And you thought that this is the only complication, the back reveals a tourbillon. A well finished masterpiece.

And this is the man himself…

I am lucky that I was able to handle such a wide range of Mr. Ferrier's masterpieces. Just wish I could own one some day.

Super Machines & Horological Machines - Independents Part 4

Roger Smith is probably the only English watchmaker still practicing his craft in the UK. There are other British born watchmakers but only one with his atelier in the UK is Roger Smith.

The man can be serious...

And light hearted too

But unfortunately, I was not able to take a picture of his master piece. But if you caught him at the exhibition, you would have noticed he was wearing a vintage Omega De Ville Chronograph.

But what he said during the plenary session was this - Watchmaking is 5% working and 95% attention to details. And after speaking with all the Grand Masters including Roger himself, I am certain this is what sets them apart from the rest of the field.

Super Machines & Horological Machines - Independents Part 3

The Super Machines and Horological Heroes exhibition (18-30 Sep 2013) brought together some very talented Independent Watchmakers and Vianney Halter definitely qualifies.

Vianney was in Singapore a couple of months ago to launch his Deep Space Tourbillon and I was hoping to catch him again this time around but alas, that was not to be. He could not make this trip due to some injury.

Still that did not stop him from bringing the iconic pieces for the exhibition. The "breakthrough" piece must be the Antiqua. A perpetual calendar displayed in the most unorthodox way. I first saw the Antiqua back in 2004 when it was displayed in the Tempus Exhibition by the Hour Glass. See only… no way to afford, not even now.

Using portholes to individually display the information, The Antiqua was ahead of its time. There is the time display at the "One O'Clock" position, then the small window at the traditional "Four O'Clock". At the "Seven O'Clock" position is the month and leap-year indicator and lastly, the display at the "Ten O'Clock" shows the day of the week.

Beating at the back is the in-house calibre VH198 with the mysterious mass rotor. No detail is spared with the Antiqua - even right down to the winding crown. The rivets and portholes are the hallmark of all Vianney's creation except the Deep Space Tourbillon & the Goldpfeil.

Equally unusual is the Trio which features a Big Date complication with separate small seconds. Folowing on the Antiqua, the Trio still features the signature porthole/rivets characteristic. On the main porthole, there is also a Day/Night indicator.

With the exception of the Goldpfeil and the Deep Space Tourbillon, all other Vianney's creations feature his signature porthole and rivets making it easily identifiable and iconic. Someday, I will want one of the Classics.

And Vianney, we wish you speedy recovery. The Japanese Whisky is still waiting for you!

Super Machines & Horological Machines - Independents Part 2

Kari Voutilainen as the name sounds is hardly Swiss by birth. Started his early watchmaking training in his native Finland, Kari moved to Switzerland later on and worked for companies like Parmigiani.

I had the fortune of meeting the man during the Super Machines and Horological Heroes exhibition. A very soft spoken person, his watches are unmistakably Kari - the hands are the hallmark of Kari. Hand crafted works of horology. Seen here are three watches on display at the exhibition. The Observatoire, V-8R Power Reserve and the GMT Six O'Clock.

The most famed of all is his Observatoire - exacting standards of accuracy and the well guilloché dials. Voted Favourite Men's Watch in 2007 by the GPHG.

Then a unique GMT watch - one with a decorated centre with a GMT and Day/Night indicator at Six O'Clock. Interesting centre with the planets in full display.

Then the V-8R watch. Comes with the power reserve and an in-house developed movement.

The watch is typically well finished with high levels of guilloché patterns. The words "Hand Made" adorn the bottom of the dial instead of Swiss Made.

And this is a shot of the man himself.

And another shot of Kari in a more relaxed setting...

The next post will feature Vianney Halter and his watches on display at the Super Machines and Horological Heroes exhibition at Paragon Shopping Centre (18-30 Sep 2013). Thanks to The Hour Glass for hosting the exhibition featuring the Grand Masters of Independent Watchmaking.