\"THE\" Watch Shop

[Ryan]

I'll spare you the watch **** details on exactly who Philippe Dufour is and what his accomplishments are. Just take my word for it - the man is a master with his hands. AND, he has the shop to prove it. Watch the above video and ignore the watch stuf...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.

 

[Russ G]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Interesting video. I would guess that these guys are becoming harder and harder to find with each passing year. I haven't worn a watch myself in years. They didn't last long on me. The work I do just isn't kind to watches, chains and other such stuff. We are surrounded by clocks now anyway. I can still appreciate the precision work and good materials that go into a quality time piece, though. I liked his shop, too.

 

[marty_p]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Thanks for sharing this, Ryan.

While I don't wear a watch either, I appreciate both his talent and his shop.

 

[Just F Me]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Those of you not wearing a nice watch…you're missing out. A watch of the caliber in the video is insane and the majority of us will not be able to afford. I hope to one day have a fine collection of watches that I can pass on to my kid(s), however, I'm only 30 right now, so I still have time.

A watch like a Rolex is something you'll own forever. You can wear it with a suit, with jeans, or with shorts. A woman wears a diamond ring the rest of her life when she's married. A man can wear a watch for the rest of his life, then pass it on to his kid to wear, and he can pass it on to your grandkids.

I bought my first "expensive" watch in 2002 as a graduation present to myself…an Omega Speedmaster.

When I got my first salaried job in 2006, I bought myself a Rolex Explorer II.

When I was promoted to General Manager in 2008, I bought a Zenith Grande Class.

This year, I picked up a 2nd Rolex, which was a Rolex GMT Master II with Blue/Black Ceramic Bezel for my 30th birthday.

It's clear that I purchase watches when I've accomplished a goal for myself. Sure, your phone has a clock, and you can get the time from anyone. But until you own one, it's something very hard to grasp on why one would pay thousands for a watch.

Lastly, a Rolex or other fine time pieces will never lose value. There is nothing besides diamonds and real estate (even that isn't promising sometimes), that won't lose value.

 

[INSP380]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Outstanding! I love that hobby and I'm as passionate about my watches as I am my cars and tools. Nice to see my two worlds come together..Only on GJ !


Steve

 

[Fishplate]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Those of you not wearing a nice watch…you're missing out.

I'm not missing out on anything...The only thing I can't do with the clock on my phone is use it for a compass.

EDIT: Having said that, I appreciate the level of craftsmanship that goes into something like that. I wish I had the time and patience to learn how to do it. But I have zero need or interest in wearing a timepiece on my wrist.

I did see mention in a newspaper article about a company that repairs courthouse tower clocks. That's more my speed.

 

[Kevin54]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

The shop is cool, but the guy is a true artist and has a great passion for what he does. Thanks Ryan for posting that up.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I have had two Rolexes in my life, the first was an 'entry-level' that I bought in Singapore, for something like $450. The only downside to it, was that it did not have a sapphire crystal, so I did not wear it for work. When my nephew graduated from college, I had it cleaned up and serviced by a Rolex authorized jeweler in Ft. Worth, and gave it to him as a graduation present. My second was my 35 year service award, and it now sets in my safe deposit box at the bank.

I used to wear a nice 'entry level' TAG-HEURE almost every day, and I have another TAG that I got for my 30 year service award, that has never been out of the box.

If I were to ever get another expensive watch, I might try a Breitling.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I love nice watches and have been collecting for a few years. I have never seen a dufour in person, but have read about them. Indeed he is a craftsman, like the rest of those who custom make beautiful time pieces.

 

[Monte]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

what did he say ? The best chronometer is german ??

 

[Russ G]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

http://mywatches.free.fr/dufour.html

There are more pictures of this man and his amazing workshop here.

 

[Just F Me]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I'm not missing out on anything...The only thing I can't do with the clock on my phone is use it for a compass.

EDIT: Having said that, I appreciate the level of craftsmanship that goes into something like that. I wish I had the time and patience to learn how to do it. But I have zero need or interest in wearing a timepiece on my wrist.

I did see mention in a newspaper article about a company that repairs courthouse tower clocks. That's more my speed.

You're missing out on the feeling of owning something that is mechanical, beautifully made and engineered, and like I said, something cool for you to pass on to your kids one day, such as a graduation present as mentioned, or something else.

But I'm not here to try to convince you otherwise. Many people don't understand "why" people like this and that, watches are one of those things. "why spend thousands when my $10 Mickey Mouse watch does the same thing".

I'm amazed every time I take off my watch.

 

[danski0224]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

The Dufour Simplicity is stunning.

 

[ScottsGT]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

The closest I'll ever afford is my Swiss made Winger Swiss Army watch. Just picked it up last month. I use to wear a watch all the time. Put them aside years ago. For some reason I was interested in wearing one again and really liked the model I found.

 

[gipraw]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Thanks for posting that. The craftsmanship and engineering involved is fantastic.

I have a severe watch problem. I have over 120 pieces currently. Everything from cheap $50 watches to heirloom Swiss made pieces. I have an extreme obsession with NFW and Breitling.

 

[Soon2AdjustYou]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Very cool.

My Casio G Shock does great for me. I'm pretty hard on time pieces so spending 1-3k doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Tim Kennedy]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

You either like wristwatches or you don't -- doesn't seem to be any middle ground. For me -- I'd wear a different watch everyday if I could -- watch lovers will understand. Just sold a Rolex I had for years -- would I own another? -- probably not -- it actually was not a great timekeeper. There are so many manufacturers out there that it's hard for me to pinpoint what I would buy next.

For those of you who love watches -- check out Fortis, Bell & Ross, and one of my favorite [hopefully my next purchase] -- Ball Watches -- they are so cool it's scary!

 

[Ryan]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Fashion watches aren't my thing. Tool watches are... I have a thing for the mechanical and watches are a big part of it. I've given up trying to make sense of it to other people.

 

[Fishplate]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

You're missing out on the feeling of owning something that is mechanical, beautifully made and engineered, and like I said, something cool for you to pass on to your kids one day

Oh, no. That's not true. I've got a garage full of British cars! :

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Very cool.

My Casio G Shock does great for me. I'm pretty hard on time pieces so spending 1-3k doesn't make sense to me.

 

[vette66bob]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I did enjoy the video and respect his skill and his shop. One of his last statements really caught my attention. "We are here today so we can try to finish tomorrow”

 

[Cyclone_racer]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Fashion watches aren't my thing. Tool watches are... I have a thing for the mechanical and watches are a big part of it. I've given up trying to make sense of it to other people.

Agree, mechanical watches are just masterpieces of craftsmanship. These two mechanical airplane watches I found at a swap meet. No one was interested and I purchased them for $10 each. The right one has got a integrated stop watch. And imagine this tick-tack-noise .... How cool is that?

 

[Cato]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

But until you own one, it's something very hard to grasp on why one would pay thousands for a watch.

Owning a fine watch like a Rolex appeals to a certain type of person. As a teenager, I used to read those Rolex ads with mountain climbers, explorers, and race car drivers. Somehow I succumbed to marketing and bought a Rolex when I was 35yo. Owning one is a lot like guys who buy Snap On tool boxes. Unlike a Snap On box, it's more portable. You can keep it under your sleeve and take it anywhere.

 

[rmalkow2]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Loved the video and his craftsmanship. Apply two of his traits (organization and perseverance) to any type of shop and project and you will also end up with fine results. Even his table tops with loose tools had the look of organized purpose. And 12 years to make 200 watches? I guess I can stick with it for 2-3 years and build one hot rod.
Thanks for posting this video.

 

[Ryan]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Owning a fine watch like a Rolex appeals to a certain type of person. As a teenager, I used to read those Rolex ads with mountain climbers, explorers, and race car drivers. Somehow I succumbed to marketing and bought a Rolex when I was 35yo. Owning one is a lot like guys who buy Snap On tool boxes. Unlike a Snap On box, it's more portable. You can keep it under your sleeve and take it anywhere.

I agree... Owning and collecting mechanical watches is senseless. In fact, it could be considered down right stupid. But, I still do it. I don't own anything that is valued as much as car or anything, but I do have considerable money wrapped up in time pieces. Every now and then, I start to think about it rationally and I go through a phase where I sell off a lot of my collection - leaving me with the two or three watches that have sentimental value.

And then, the fever climbs again... I fall in love with some mechanical masterpiece - the look of it, the feel of it, the sound of it, etc... And I end up buying another watch.

My latest fall from the wagon happened after visiting a friend of mine's watch shop. He was restoring a Rolex MilSub worth almost as much as my house:



...and while I could never dream of affording a MilSub, it made me fall from the rational wagon and here I am again, with more watches that I know what to do with. On top of that, my dad recently passed. He left me some watches... and servicing those and obsessing on them has given me something to take my mind off of things.

I guess like anything else, mechanical watches are a passion. One in which if you think about rationally makes no sense at all. But to some of us, that doesn't matter.

 

[Just F Me]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I guess like anything else, mechanical watches are a passion. One in which if you think about rationally makes no sense at all. But to some of us, that doesn't matter.

Passions sometimes are completely irrational right? Look at the guys who own cars worth $5000 that dump $20,000 into it. In the end, it's a $10,000 car, but who cares because they love that car.

Oh, no. That's not true. I've got a garage full of British cars! :

I got a leaking british motorcycle!

 

[nine4gmc]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

That shop is pretty sick, all I could do was look at the cabinets and tools, and lights and magnifying lamps and...

 

[jwhcars]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

What a master craftsman, I'd love to have one of his watches but alas I've been down sizing and the old been there done that theme. I can still appreciate the fine craftsmanship of his watches.
I still have a watch that was made in the late 1700's by Debufre ( he invented the escapement wheel )

 

[Ray916MN]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I've got 300+ watches in my collection. I focus on collecting a few types of watches, one of which is high frequency watches which beat at 10 time per second. On my radar is a newer watch which beats 20 times per second. Miniature mechanical devices which beat at a high frequency and have played critical roles in navigation and the exploration of the world and space are neat! Although the digital world has eclipsed the mechanical world in terms of performance, probably in the way electric cars will eclipse the performance of gas powered cars, the old world skill that goes into timepieces is very special.

 

[larry_g]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I don't have one of his watches, but I do have one of his mill's

lg
no neat sig line

 

[e-tek]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

You're missing out on the feeling of owning something that is mechanical, beautifully made and engineered, and like I said, something cool for you to pass on to your kids one day, such as a graduation present as mentioned, or something else.

But I'm not here to try to convince you otherwise. Many people don't understand "why" people like this and that, watches are one of those things. "why spend thousands when my $10 Mickey Mouse watch does the same thing".

I'm amazed every time I take off my watch.

Well said and Thanks Ryan for the video.
When you are into design, mechanics and engineering, there are many ways in which to indulge the passion. As always, "to each his own", but watches are an another fine extension of mechanical craftsmanship. I have found myself collecting tools, then cars, then watches, learning to enjoy each for the brilliant bits of engineering they are. At last count, I had amassed 20 watches - from your HF-like Timex Ironman, to the Ferrari like Brietling Aviator, to my Tonino Lamborgini designed piece, each giving me many opportunities to choose the right one for the day and enjoying the stories evoked by each.

Life is short, enjoy stuff!

 

[American]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I'm no watch fanatic. I have owned one good watch my whole life, a Tag Heuer that I obtained when I was 23 so have had it for exactly half of my life. It is an understated stainless with a slate gray face. I have abused it in every way possible and it still looks beautiful to this day...and as a bonus it still keeps perfect time.

Good watches are like books. Sure, there are other ways to obtain the same information but sometimes the old ways have more warmth, meaning and fuel the appreciation for human creativity and artistic abilities.

When I got married a few years ago my gifts to the groomsmen were pocket watches. I'm a sucker for old school I guess.

 

[VintageJunkie]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I love watches. My wife got me this cool aviator for my wedding last year, but I had to have a custom band made so it fits my large wrist.

 

[PugetDude]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I always wanted a Rolex when I couldn't afford one.
When I could, I didn't.

 

[softailgarage]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

A mans watch used to be a statement of his "station in life", not so much anymore. With everyone carrying cell phones these days, it would seem the watch and watchmaker are on their way out. Sadly, I'm afraid the only place to find these precision engineers will be a hard place to find, much like an old school machinist vs. a CNC operator. I saw a lot of bench grinders, I wonder if maybe secretly he hangs around the block grinder thread?

 

[mrpizza]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

This thread reminded me that I have a nice Mondaine pocket watch in my keepsake box at home. I bought it as a boot camp graduation present for myself, and then never used it. Im comtemplating selling it as it has no real sentimental value, and the prices they are selling at seem to be pretty good!

 

[mrpizza]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I just dug it out. Its a mondaine evo with the black face. Apparently they stopped making it.

 

[skloon]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I see why there is such a long waiting time for one of these watches, did you see all the pink condoms? he is still thinking of girls

 

[Modern Jess]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

Really great video, thanks for posting that.

I have a love/hate relationship with watches. I really do love them, and have collected a few over the years. Nothing earth-shattering, no grand complications or anything like that, but a handful of watches that I really, really liked.

The hate part? I can't manage to wear one for any length of time before I have to take it off. I'm a software engineer by trade, and I spend far too much time behind a keyboard, with my wrists resting flat on the desk in front of the keyboard. I've worked out a posture and relationship with the keyboard over the years that has spared me from RSI (a common issue in my industry) but that keyboard setup interferes with wearing a watch.

So I have these watches that I love and can't wear. It's the most senseless collection of all.

 

[4t64rd]

Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop

I live with a horologist, so there are literally hundreds of watches at my house.

Most are hers, and most are the style she loves, which are art deco watches from the teens through the 50's (pin lever mostly, some have a jewel or two, but a few are really good ones). She keeps them all running... She wears one every day, she had lapel watches too.

Not to bag on Rolex, but she's worked on them both and she believes that quality-wise, the Omega is a better value for the money.

I do have a couple nice mechanical watches, a nice 1950's Hamilton and a rectangular no name deco from the 30's. I have a Japanese market Seiko automatic chronograph. But otherthan that, mine are mostly junk. I mostly buy $15 watches that when the battery dies, it goes in a drawer... If they make it that far, they usually get smashed broken and I don't feel the least bit bad.

If you REALLY like timepieces and you ever get the chance, there is a watch and clock museum in Furtwagen near Frieberg, Germany (in the Black Forest) on the top of a mountain. It's a beautiful drive up and the museum is entertaining even for a guy who wears $15 watches.

http://www.deutsches-uhrenmuseum.de/no_cache/start.html