I have been a passionate watch enthusiast for more than 25 years.
At first, I had the financial constraints of a student, so I spent my first ten years sporadically buying just a few watches and was interested in established mainstream brands like Rolex and Panerai.
After I started working and my watch budget increased, I started collecting watches from a few mainstream brands and developed a good relationship with a few authorized dealers.
However, thanks to visits to Baselworld, I became aware of, and started admiring, the work of independent watchmakers and boutique brands, including Laurent Ferrier, Kari Voutilainen, Urban Jurgensen, Akrivia, and Grönefeld.
![](https://quillandpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Vincent-Deprez-Tourbillon-Classique_6484.jpg)
Vincent Deprez Tourbillon Classique Souscription Editionon the wrist (photo courtesy Alex)
However, while appreciating what these smaller independent brands were doing, I didn’t buy any as I was unsure how financially viable they were over the long term. One of my concerns was how would I have a watch serviced or repaired if the small brand went bankrupt.
And I was well aware of how difficult it was for the Indy watchmakers back then, as I knew a bit about how difficult it was for Laurent Ferrier, who I met at an independent watch fair in Geneva. Ferrier nearly lost his brand and business when his then-investor (an ex- motor racing friend of Laurent’s), pulled out.
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