Anyone have any experience with this high end micro brand?

I stumbled across them a few years ago and always thought they were really cool. I just put a small deposit (100 EUR) on one to be made and delivered some time next year. And here are a few pictures from their FB page

https://ketelaarswatches.com

 

While not unattractive, I think it is tremendously overpriced at €4300.

 

Interesting use of the ETA 6497-1.

The work looks good, but the nickel gilt balance wheel looks a tad cheap in relation to the remainder of the movement. Might have been better off to start with the 6497-2, with higher beat rate and Glucydur balance.

 

Unique design, lots of hand finishing. Why do you think it's overprice?

 

^This^

 

I'll see what he's offering in Jan or Feb when my turn comes around. He's also designing a custom movement, which could be problematic if it ever needs servicing and he's given up watchmaking to become an actuary or something. I like the look of the "3D Terra" (globe with the balance wheel on the dial).

He has plenty more pictures of his work on Facebook, if anyone wants to see more.

 

I looked at his Facebook page. He clearly put much more passion, effort and horologic skill into these watches than the vast majority of microbrands. That being said, he is pricing as if he is a much more established watch maker, with significant track record, as opposed to a startup that has a fair chance of not being appreciated, or even around, in 5 years. Just thinking from a value perspective, it is like buying a painting from a relatively unknown artist. If the artwork speaks to you at a given price, it is worth it. If there is any thought that is should retain a substantial portion of it's value, that is more of a long shot.

 

True with any new watch.

 

Just only looking at the hours Stefaan spends on his watches (due to fact he is a perfectionist) does already justify the price. Will the value be sustainable..only time will tell but in the short time he is on the market he earned a lot of respect by the watchmaking community is anyhow promising.

 

Sort of - a painting doesn't require maintenance and possibly custom made parts that would not be available in the future, so not quite a fair comparison.

Sometimes if a painter dies the value of the artwork can go up. In this case the equivalent thing happening to the maker of these (not dying, but going out of business) would likely have the opposite effect on the secondary market.

 

Judging by the last pic, the finishing of the movement seems pretty decent for the price imo. Grained bridges, fair bit of polishing to the bevelled edges, applied nameplates to the bridges etc.