Right across the walkway from Marco is where a group of Independent watchmakers share a stand. Anchored by Vianney Halter who has been here now for I think 4 years, this year he was joined by two new watchmakers, the brothersGrönefeld, Tim & Bart. These two chaps have like many of their peers, worked away in the background for big companies honing their skills in the complications depts. They are originally are from Holland from a watchmaking family, spent many years in Switzerland, then returned to Holland to build a high quality watch repair business. With the urge to create their own timepiece, they set out to make a splash on the watch scene. Tim's particular arena of skill is the creation of tourbillons and Bart's is minute repeaters, so naturally their first piece contains both complications. Using a Claret base as the canvas from which to paint their version, they have created quite a timepiece...The Grönefeld Tourbillon Minute Repeater. Whilst using a traditional looking movement, the case is bold, modern and a great look. One aspect I found clever, was the style of the lugs, partially hollow to allow for the repeater slide to be operated through it's full arc, rather than cutting out a chunk of one lug. I suspect this also helps the cathedral gongs sound even better.
This is the platinum piece:
And here is the rose gold piece, the black onyx chapter around the edge showcases the movement quite well...
Here is the back side of the rose gold piece showing off the racks and cams of the repeater, finished to an extremely high level.
Only 10 pieces in each metal will be built. I suspect we'll be seeing more amazing creation from these two extremely talented watchmakers. As I usually find, on a personal level, these two gentlemen were gracious with their time and we spent a very enjoyable evening together, with two other watchmakers. I hope to be visiting them later this year in Oldenzaal, Holland to see for myself their old family workshops.
Just as a reminder, my images here were shot under non-optimum conditions, in the field, during the Basel fair. Much better images are to be found in the "Watch Images" section!