Celebrating the birth of a new star .....

[KokChoon]

Does this watches look familiar to you ..... and who is the man behind these watches .....



Check out my web-page:
http://taykokchoon.homestead.com/061127_RGauthier.html

For easy reading, I have also reproduced my report in the following 4 parts.....

Cheers
KokChoon
from Singapore

[KokChoon]

Part I : Introduction

I first heard of this name Romain Gauthier from thePuristS.com some times back. So, when Natalia (Brand Manager, in-charge of all independent watchmaker) from the HourGlass called me asking me if I am interested to meet up with him, my answer was an immediate YES!

Romain arrived in Singapore on 26th November 2006 and immediately he made the arrangement to meet up with Prof. Harry Tan and myself. We took some photos of the 3 prototypes that he has brought with him and also chatted with him briefly on his creation and how he suddenly "pop-out" from literally no-where?



So who is this young chap who has decided to come out of "no-where" and create his own brand of wrist watches?

Romain Gauthier, according to himself, was working in a company producing watch parts to manufacturer in la Vallee de Joux region using CNC machines.

At age 25 (that is in 1999), he suddenly have an urge to divert into the Horological industry, either as a consultant to collectors or something like that. He gradually formed the idea of having his own watch brand. He also understood that in order for him to material his goal, he will need to know how to do business, thus he took up an MBA course and graduated in 2002.

During this period, he met an important person who has changed his life completely, Philippe Dufour. It was the master who has give him the idea that he can produce his own movement with his technical background and an engineer, and afterall, watch movements are just machines in a smaller scale!

He spent the next few years developing his movement, in secret, and again he received valuable advices from Philippe Dufour on the improvement of finishing on his movements.

As he is not a watchmaker by profession, he engaged a good friend and a talented young watchmaker Sebestien Berney to join him on the working of this first prototype.

(end of Part I)

[KokChoon]

Part II: The Dinner

Again on Monday evening, The HourGlass arranged for a dinner gathering for some media people and collectors, and Romain Gauthier, to formally introduced him to the Singapore watch community.

I understand that there will be another lunch meeting today (Tuesday) for more collectors, purists, and others before he leave for a flight back to Gevene late night.

The dinner was held at the Jade Garden Restaurant located in Paragon Shopping Centre, Singapore.


When introducing Romain Gauthier to the invitees, Michael Tay (Executive Director of The HourGlass) recalled receiving a personal phone call from Philippe Dufour strongly recommending this young man to him.
Michael was also pleased to announced that they have signed an agreement with Romain to be his authorised dealer in this region.


Larry Wee and Duncan Wang listening very closely to Romain while he explained the various models available in this Collection Prestige.


Romain explainig to Eddy Koh how he managed to make use of his friend's CNC machine on "off-office" hours to produce the watch parts that he has designed....


Natalia Tan, with Lim Hock Thiam, General Manager of The HourGlass.


Duncan Wang (left) posing with Alan Teo, The HourGlass Millenia Walk Branch Manager, one of the best Boutique Managers here as agreed by most .....


Kathleen Herzig, the new Chief Editor of the Timecraft magazine, liked the design of this new creation very much ....


Prof Harry Tan, who has rushed down to the event from his Uiversity Exam Invigilation, checking closely the marvellous movement of the watch.


Peter Chong, famous for his passions on the Brand Lange, has recently becoming active again in local watch events.
Peter asked Romain on the black coating on the movement of the Rose Gold version and was told that it is PVD coating and not the famous Black Polishing ....


Most of us couldn't resist the beauty and symmatrical design of this watch and tried it on our wrist. Here's one I have captured while Larry was trying on the White Gold version ....
I would dare say that the dinner was a success as discussions were almost non-stop and all of us have gained a better understanding of the watch, the man and his philosophy in watch-making.


We all agreed that this watch will take off like a rocket so long as he maintains his philosophy in his creation and "listens" to his customers' needs.

(end of Part II)

[felipe]

Thanks KC, I really want to like his watch, and I really like the movement because it's so different. But I keep coming back to the size and the dial design. This is coming from someone who has yet to see one in person, but from what I have seen so far it's a) too big and b) a little plain. That said it's a very cool movement. It's great to see new independents who are making something more than a tweaked ebauche. I look forward to seeing his work in person next April.

[KokChoon]

Part III: The Prototypes

According to Romain, there will be 4 basic models in his first collection - Collection Prestige, comprising of a Rose Gold version with Black Dial, a Rose Gold Version with Champagne Dial, a White Gold version and a Platinum version.

The list price of these 4 models in Singapore are S$45,000 for both the Rose Gold versions, S$50,000 for the White Gold and S$57,000 for the Platinum version.

Each version will be limited to 38 pieces only and Romain promised that he will never repeat the combination again. For each Case and Dial combination, he will also produce 8 pieces with Diamond Bezel, like the first prototype showed below. List prices of these Diamond edition of 8 pieces each have not been finalized but believe to start from S$90,000 (from what I've heard).

Again, Romain is ready to make 5 special unique pieces based on this design and movement for customers who want to have something unique. What I understand is that these 5 special pieces will be produced one by one in accordance to confirmed order and Romain will keep close contact with the buyer to produce the watch to the customer's specification, so long it is technically and finacially viable.

Prototype 1 - Rose Gold Case, Diamond Bezel with Champagne Dial



According to Romain, this particular piece is the nearest to the finished product of this version.

This watch has a rose gold case with a 3-piece 18k solid gold dial in champagne colour. Hand guilloche pattern.

And yes, this dial is made completely in house by Motres Romain Gauthier, the company founded by Romain Gauthier.



The case measured 41mm by 11mm and curved nicely hugging one's wrist perfectly.



Take a look at this gorgeous movement, calibre 2206 Hm, which is a hand winding calibre with 22 jewels. This movement is completedly designed, developed and mahufactured by Romain Gauthier, amazing isn't it?



The finishing on this version is different from the basic model in that it has a "sand-blast" finished effect whereby Romain did it himself with a special polishing procedures. Edges of the bridges are finished in spectacular high gross finishing.



Look at the curve in body .....

Prototype 2 - Rose Gold Case, Black Dial









Check out the Cote de Geneve finishing on the bridges for the basic model, as well as the PVD coated parts ....

Notice also the "S" shape screw groove that Romain has created? Yes, one will need a specially made screw-driver to unscrew them. According to Romain, there are basically 2 main benefits in this design. One is the it provide better grip than the standard straight screw groove as only the right size tool can be used to scew/unscrew them. Also, it make sure that the movement could not be tempted with by others who have no proper tools.


Prototype 3 - White Gold Case, Grey Dial




Check out the hand guilloche pattern .....





Some parts photos


A very sepcial Balance Wheel designed, developed and made by Romain Gauthier .....

Each watch delivered will have the position of the Balance Wheel with the 4 inertia screws position photographed so that watches sent back for time regulation can be furhter analysed whether it is due to the screws position being changed or just simply wearer's habit.


Personally, I like the design of this wheel very much ....


This is the dial meant for the Platinum version, nice .....


Box of parts brought by Romain .....

(end of Part III)

[KokChoon]

Part IV: Congratulations to Romain Gauthier ....

That's all folks!

Thanks to Michael Tay and The HouGlass for the kind invite and special thanks to Natalia for coordinating all these

Congratulations to Romain Gauthier and my best wishes to you and I'm very sure that the Brand will be a great success!


Cheers
KokChoon
from Singapore
30th November 2006

[KokChoon]

Personally I think the size of 41mm is still acceptable even to the Asians who generally have smaller wrist. Look at the wrist shot I've taken in Part II above, Larry wrist size, I believe, should be around 7.5 inches and it fits perfectly on his wrist

I like simple dial and this is a simple dial with some nice guilloche patterns, and off-center dial is fine for me, just like Lange, Breguet, Jaquet Droz, etc.. The only thing if I really want to go to the extreme in finding fault is the lack of second hand. I love to see my watch moving all the time, perhaps its a perosnal thingy as I felt unsecure without this constant movement of the second hand.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers
KokChoon
from Singapore

[felipe]

I guess I have to try it. Still, I'm used to Journes at 38mm, so anytime I see something larger than 38 I think it's too big. I'm wearing a 40mm Rolex as I type and I guess it's not so bad. Still look forward to seeing it in person, thanks for the photos.

[Duncan]

Rumor has it that Romain is definitely one of the exciting new generation of watchmakers and we can expect some very exciting things from him in the years to come.

Duncan

[Stefano]

Wow! I read about him on the Revolution website, but the photos Kok Choon took are absolutely amazing! This young watchmaker definitively has a bring future ahead!

Thank you for the excellent photo report!

[Jaw]

Very well done KC and thank you for your posing!

Jaw