Sabine Kegel, Head of the Watch Department of Christie's Europe, specially introduces ten well-known independent watch craftsmen: These new generation craftsmen are usually members of the Independent Watchmakers Association, working independently or cooperatively, producing less

Sabine Kegel, head of the watch department of Christie's Europe, specially introduces ten well-known independent watch craftsmen: These new generation craftsmen are usually members of the Independent Watchmakers Association (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants), working independently or cooperatively. Less than 100 watch products are produced annually. They use unique materials, bold and novel designs and superb technology in innovative ways to write the future of the watch industry with creativity that is highly valued by the watchmaking industry.

, Atelier AKRIVIA

In 2012, the talented young watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi finally realized his childhood dream and established Atelier AKRIVIA ( in Greek , meaning "precision") to express his vision of high-end watches - a perfect combination of modernity Style and traditional handmade watchmaking skills. The brand presented its first watch Tourbillon Chronographe Monopoussoir at the 2014 Basel Watch Fair , and collaborated with the famous case craftsman Jean-Pierre Hagmann in 2019 to pursue the common goal of exquisite watchmaking. In November 2018, the brand's Chronomètre Contemporain watch won the men's watch award at the GPHG Geneva Haute Horlogerie Awards.

Today, this small team produces less than 30 watches per year, and only one has ever appeared at auction: the Chronomètre Contemporain Only Watch, which was sold for 360,000 Swiss francs at the 2019 "Only Watch" auction. . The specially crafted multi-layered gray-blue grand feu enamel dial perfectly contrasts with the white enamel numerals and markers, while the hand-hammered finish also creates a unique grainy surface. The movement, developed in-house, features traditional hand-finished finishes such as chamfering, black polishing and Côtes de Genève stripes. In addition, the symmetrical structure is also a major feature of the Rexhep Rexhepi movement design.

Unique Chronomètre Contemporain Only Watch, unique grey-blue enamel dial and hand-hammered surface, signed Rexhep Rexhepi, platinum case crafted by J.P. Hagmann. Sold for CHF 360,000 at the Christie's Geneva 2019 "Only Watch" auction on November 9, 2019

, Philippe Dufour (Philippe Dufour)

Philippe Dufour has been in the United States since 1978 The watches produced in the studio in Le Santier, Switzerland, are highly praised by loyal collectors. His timepieces are top-notch watches, among which the Grande and Petite Sonnerie Minute Repeating watch is the most famous: this pioneering watch was the first to combine an extremely complex mechanical structure and debuted at the Baselworld in 1992. debut. Later, Dufour launched two new designs, namely Duality and Simplicity equipped with two escapements. Dufour now works with his daughter Magali, also a master watchmaker. Watches signed by Dufour are extremely rare at auction and are often highly sought after by collectors.

Philippe Dufour, exquisite rare and unique 18K white gold double gear minute repeater self-sounding wristwatch with articulated case and enamel dial, 1995. Sold for 475,000 Swiss francs at Christie's Geneva on May 12, 2008.

3, Greubel Forsey,

Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have worked together for more than 20 years. They both love technological innovation and pursue the same goal. Perfect. They teamed up to form Greubel Forsey in 2004, hoping to improve the performance of existing complex devices while creating breakthrough mechanical structures. The company produces less than 100 pieces per year, and its outstanding creations include the Double Tourbillon 30°, Quadruple Tourbillon and Tourbillon 24 Secondes. They are determined to use creativity as a permanent driving force and constantly create surprises. Greubel Forsey, Philippe Dufour, Vianney Halter and Kari Voutilainen established the Time Æon Foundation in 2006 to protect the excellence of watchmaking traditions, craftsmanship and expertise.

"We are sculptors of time, choreographers of the passage of time, and architects of watch movements - with screwdrivers as brushes, mechanical pencils instead of quills, and steel or gold as supports."——Robert Greubel

Currently, many famous watchmakers and designers have joined and participated in different projects. Among them, the "Naissance d'une Montre" project aims to recognize a talented young watchmaker. Teach the necessary skills to make watches entirely by hand. The first prototype from the “Naissance d’une Montre” project was designed by Greubel Forsey, Dufour and Michel Boulanger, and was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong on May 30, 2016 for HK$11,296,000.

“Le Garde Temps - Naissance d’une Montre” watch, custom made by Greubel Forsey, Philippe Dufour and Michel Brown. An extremely rare and important 18K white gold semi-skeletonized tourbillon watch, serial number 06/11, circa 2016. On July 13, 2020, it was sold for HK$6,845,000 in the Christie’s Hong Kong Exquisite Watches: Titanium Series and Important Private Collections in Asia (Part Three) auction.

4, Vianney Halter

Vianney Halter graduated from the Paris Watchmaking School in 1981. In the early days of his career, he specialized in the restoration of antique clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches. He founded his own brand, Janvier SA, in Saint-Croix, Switzerland, to pay tribute to Antide Janvier, the great French watchmaker of the 18th and 19th centuries. Since then, he has been designing and producing various timepieces for famous manufacturers. He launched his personal watch series in 1998, combining his unique style, unique patented technology and distinctive design. He also joined the Association of Independent Watchmakers that same year. Since then, he has created 10 watches, for which he has won 8 awards, including the Gaïa Award in 2016.

Vianney Halter, a rare and unique 18k white gold asymmetrical perpetual calendar watch, model "Antiqua Perpetual", circa 1998. It was sold at Christie's Hong Kong on May 28, 2018 for HK$475,000.

5, Journe "Invenit and Fecit"

François-Paul Journe graduated from the Paris School of Watchmaking and established a studio in Geneva in 1996 to design and manufacture watch mechanisms for other famous brands. Three years later, in 1999, he launched a series of watches signed "F.P. Journe Invenit et Fecit" to demonstrate his ambition for modern watchmaking. "Invenit et Feci" means "invention and manufacturing" in Latin . It was also a signature commonly used by artists during the Renaissance to prove that every watch he made was derived from completely original ideas and rigorous craftsmanship.

Zunner is a member of the Association of Independent Watchmakers and one of the most respected brands in the world of haute horlogerie. It has won numerous awards for its ingenious watches and creations. Today, many of his watches are considered classics by collectors, including the famous "Chronomètre Bleu", as well as early models equipped with brass movements, such as the first "Chronomètre à Résonance" series launched in 2000.

Chronomètre à Résonance", circa 2000, a beautiful platinum dual time zone chronograph watch with a resonance-controlled brass movement with twin independent gears and a power reserve. Sold at Christie's Hong Kong on November 27, 2019 for HK$2,000,000.

6, MB&F — Maximilian Büsser & Friends

After studying traditional watches for decades, Maximilian Büsser launched a completely new artistic concept in 2005: MB&F — Maximilian Büsser & Friends. He hopes to bring together a group of independent watchmaking artists to create novel watches that have never been seen before. MB&F not only respects meticulous traditional watchmaking craftsmanship, but is also committed to creating non-traditional timepieces that reveal a sense of the future. These timepieces named "Machines" are based on science fiction novels. They use three-dimensional engraved cases and beautifully decorated drivers. They have won many awards for their extraordinary creativity, including winning 4 Golden Needles at the prestigious Grand Prix de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva. .

MB&F opened its first M.A.D. Gallery in Geneva in 2011, and later opened in Taipei, Dubai and Hong Kong. The store displays the complete MB&F Machines series, as well as a variety of carefully selected watches or mechanical art installations, displaying charming dynamic art world. Now, MB&F's monthly output is very small, with an average of only 28 pieces.In order to ensure the quality of auctioned watches, MB&F will provide free service and a one-year warranty for watches sold at Christie's international auctions.

MB&F and LÉpée “Tom & T-Rex” unique table clock, conceived by MB and produced by L’Epée. The desk clock tells the story of a sick boy Tom and his powerful companion T-Rex. Sold at Christie's Geneva for 85,000 Swiss francs on November 9, 2019.

7, Richard Mille

Richard Mille joined the watch industry in 1974, and in 1999 he cooperated with Audemars Piguet to create his own brand. His first watch, RM001 Tourbillon, was launched in 2001. The series initially had only 17 watches. Because the brand's watch design is avant-garde and unique, and it borrows materials and technologies from the fields of racing, aviation, etc., the brand has become famous and very popular. For Richard Mille, cooperation is a very important part, allowing him to develop unexpected watches, and partners will also personally test and test the reliable performance of the watches. His well-known partners include celebrities from the world of sports and art, such as Felipe Massa, John Malkovich and Michelle Yeoh.

In 2010, Rafael Nadal won the French Open for the fifth time. At that time, he was wearing the RM027 watch customized by Richard Mille, which is also the lightest turret in the world. One of the flywheel watches, weighing only 18 grams. Today, Richard Mille has become one of the most popular and respected independent watchmakers in the world.

Richard Mille, extremely rare white ceramic and 18K rose gold limited edition tonneau-shaped tourbillon watch, Asia limited edition, "Tourbillon Skull" model, No. 0106, Model RM52-01 AN RG-ATZ, made circa 2015. Sold at Christie's Hong Kong for HK$5,285,000 on May 27, 2019

8, Roger W. Smith

Roger W. Smith was born in Bolton near Manchester in 1970, and entered Manchester Watch College at the age of 16. (Manchester School of Horology) and graduated summa cum laude. At that time, Dr. George Daniels was one of the guest speakers in the course. His class made Smith find his ambition to make handmade watches. In 1998, Smith moved to the Isle of Man to create the "Daniels Millennium" series with what he called "the greatest watchmaker in history." They completed the series three years later, and Smith also set up his own studio at the same time. His "Series 1" series includes 9 rectangular case watches equipped with retrograde calendars and took 3 years to complete. In 2008, he collaborated with Daniels for the last time to produce 35 limited edition watches with limited numbers to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the coaxial escapement invented by Daniels.

Smith is one of the few watchmakers in the world who can master all 32 unique craftsmanship and can make watches entirely by hand from raw materials. His contributions to the watch industry have earned him numerous awards, and he was honored by the British government's "Great Britain Campaign" in 2012. In order to promote the best of Britain to the world, Smith was invited by the Prime Minister's Communications Office to serve as an ambassador for the promotion campaign, showcasing the innovative spirit, ingenuity and excellent craftsmanship that he and the British share. In 2018, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Prince Charles at the medal ceremony at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his contribution to the British watch industry. The watches produced by Smith are highly coveted by collectors and are rare to find on the market.

The Roger Smith “Series 4” watch was launched in 2015, featuring the latest single-gear version of the Daniels Co-Axial escapement, a jumping triple calendar and a moon phase display.

9, Urwerk

"Ur" is an ancient Sumerian city that uses a sundial to keep time, while "Werk" is interpreted as "creation" or "clock machinery" in German . Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei founded the Urwerk brand in 1997. The two are famous for their innovative and avant-garde designs inspired by space travel.In the same year, they presented the first watches UR-101 and UR102 at the Association of Independent Watchmakers booth at the Baselworld. Urwerk advocates watchmaking principles that combine creativity and efficiency, and follows the strictest craftsmanship standards.

This brand's watches display time in a unique floating way, full of futuristic feeling, and the satellite-like rotating dial echoes a classic watch from 1656. Urwerk's innovative watches are produced in very small quantities, with an annual output of between 130 and 150 pieces. Not only are they loved by collectors, they have also won many awards, including winning the 2019 Grand Prix de la Haute Horlogerie de Genève with its latest "AMC" watch. Won the Audacity Prize.

Urwerk, Ultra-rare titanium and Macassar Ebony limited edition automatic watch with three-dimensional satellite hour display, day/night display and oil change display, model UR-110, "Eastwood Macassar Ebony", circa 2015. It was sold at Christie's Hong Kong on May 29, 2017 for HK$750,000.

0, Kari Voutilainen

Kari Voutilainen was born in , Finland, in 1962. He studied at the famous Tapiola watchmaking school in Finland, and thus developed a strong interest in watchmaking. In 1989 he completed the WOSTEP Complications Horology Course at Switzerland , a postgraduate course specializing in the restoration of complex and high-quality rare watches. Full of enthusiasm, Kari Voutilainen opened a studio in Motiers, Switzerland in 2002, and displayed the first watches at the Baselworld Independent Watchmakers Association booth in 2005. They were greatly appreciated, and his popularity continued to grow. promote.

Kari Voutilainen will personally make each watch, shape every detail, and create classic watches based on solid skills. In addition, he has won many awards, including 7 awards at the Grand Prix de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva from 2007 to 2019, and won the Craftsmanship and Creativity Award at the prestigious Prix Gaïa in 2014. The number of Kari Voutilainen's works is rare, and each watch has unique characteristics and functions, making it a treasure that collectors can't put down.

Voutilainen “28S” watch embodies Kari Voutilainen’s philosophy of perfection with its stylish titanium case and elegant yet sturdy mechanical structure. Sold for 75,000 Swiss francs at Christie's Geneva "Only Watch" auction in November 2017.