Independents

a significant moment on any collectors' journey...the acquisition of a grail...the antiqua

Aug 08, 2009,17:16 PM

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if u ever read love in the time of cholera (by gabriel garcia marquez and u should...) it speaks of a man's lifelong passion and love for a woman... he is unable to get her out of his mind. he has to be with her. he has to lie with her... he thinks of her and the life that she lives... married to a man different from him...and he longs for her...to hold her and to love her...

in life, we have passions that drive us other than the one of finding of our life partner... in our journeys, in searching for meaning, in our pursuits, we invariably come to points where we come across something special... and they connect with us, they call to us... for me my journey into horology began with questions of values and the perception of it in timepieces...somehow along the way, i woke up one day with a collection...

but the most significant highlights of the journey are moments such as these... i have quested for this, slayed fire-breathing dragons and spoken to kings in distant lands, sorcerors and wizards in my quest for the grail...(metaphorically speaking yuh

and as i wipe the grime away from my blood stained brow and chain mail, a smile begins as the light of dawn gets steadily brighter... i have the antiqua in my hands...

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This message has been edited by raphmeister on 2009-08-08 17:20:50

Comments: view entire thread

Amazing photographs and amazing watch.....

By: CL : August 8th, 2009-17:44

I was just thinking about this beauty yesterday. VERY BEAUTIFUL and I hope one day I can have it too. Very Happy for you. *CL

thanks so much CL...

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-00:34

it was a very significant purchase for me but its worth it. its a beautiful and amazing piece... i am sure you will have one in your future if you want one thanks again. cheers raph

I almost bought it twice from the AD.....

By: CL : August 9th, 2009-07:11

but somehow didn't happen because of the dial issue and case /dial combination. Have always loved this piece and truly amaze when it is strapped on the wrist. If the economy gets better, I will get this despite that it is an automatic Lovesss*CL

for me...

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-09:29

it was love at first sight and an enduring one i hope to see shots of your antiqua in a post someday cheers raph

Congrats Raph, you are owning a piece of important horological creativity.

By: Tim Jackson : August 8th, 2009-17:57

Having just had the pleasure of visiting Vianney in Ste.Croix, I can tell you, that what you now hold, wear and cherish, will give you years of enormous pleasure. There is no other watch made today that gets close. Here is Vianney at one of his benches. E...

...

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-00:36

Tim, you've done what i long to do. I hope to visit his atelier one day... i am looking forward to the years ahead with this wonderful timepiece with me. thanks so much cheers raph

Here is the humble abode from whence it came...

By: Tim Jackson : August 15th, 2009-12:36

The home of Janvier SA. in Ste. Croix This is the "Before" shot: a work in progress, I got to watch this being worked on. Here the VH name plate that becomes part of the dial, the level of details often overlooked in an Antiqua or for that matter any of V...

wow!

By: raphmeister : August 16th, 2009-06:29

Hi Tim Thanks so much for these wonderful shots of the Atelier and the engraver and her work. excellent stuff i must plan a trip down soon cheers raph

Congrat, a Biggest watch. A have chance to meet VH, he is totally crazy, a punk of horlogi

By: pifpaf : August 21st, 2009-08:35

-cal, his watchs are absolutely without compromise, totally in the the spirit that he want to give to the watch. He explain me his way, witch is considering that the Marine Chronometers are the top of classical horlogical. So he reproduce this spirit of m...

thanks pifpaf!

By: raphmeister : August 21st, 2009-23:11

great to know you met him and interacted with him. his watches and philosophy are truly wonderful. the antiqua has been super accurate as well i am very happy with this acquisition. cheers raph

cool dude

By: Mech : August 8th, 2009-22:05

You're doing well my friend, now I need to have another GTG with you!!! more pix soon Mech.

thx Mech :)

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-00:37

just buzz me and we'll catch up again cheers raph

Beautiful! I am happy for you. Wear it in great health. I was fortunate

By: Ed Tonkin : August 8th, 2009-22:17

to receive mine just a few weeks back and still have a hard time getting over it. I think I never will! Enjoy. Eddy

thanks Ed...

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-00:38

Hi Ed, yup I posted on your post as well. I am very happy for you that you have also obtained this wonderful piece. don't get over it, i don't plan to wear yours in the best of health too. cheers raph

A masterpiece!

By: fernando : August 9th, 2009-00:31

So original in its concept and yet so logical in its purity.A hearty congratulations to you.Great pics. BTW. cheers fernando

thx fernando

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-00:40

much appreciated. glad u enjoyed the pix and i hope to take better ones as the days go by... those i took were within the first hours of owning this beauty a lot more days ahead for hopefully better pix. cheers raph

Superb pictures of an extraordinary watch

By: Emmanuel H : August 9th, 2009-00:37

I've had the pleasure to try this model a few months ago... and I love it ! Congratulations on this acquisition of a true grail and enjoy it for many years. Emmanuel

thanks Emmanuel

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-00:41

and glad you enjoyed the pics. i am blessed to obtain my grail. cheers raph

Love, as a sickness...

By: patrick_y : August 9th, 2009-01:10

Raphmeister, I am impressed with your metaphor of your love for this watch to be analogous to the love expressed in the book by (Nobel Prize Winner) Gabriel García Márquez. Your metaphor helps me understand your utter passion devoted to this watch; truly ...

love the sickness and the cure :)

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-05:59

Hi Patrick I remember loving the book both times i read it, once when i was younger and another time when i had more experience under my belt... both times it left me with very deep impressions... its a great tale of longing and the realisation of a desir...

Happy for and with you, Raphael!

By: amerix : August 9th, 2009-02:05

This is surely the grandest of occasions, and it is a pleasure to know that there are a few of us who prefer not to remain anonymous or keep our Antiquas hidden away from public view - but as always with discretion, and not while parading before a hostile...

thanks Amerix...

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-06:05

thanks for your great response... it made me wonder who else on these forums own an Antiqua other than Bernard, Eddy and another gent in Singapore that I know of and now you... I guess thats about 5% accounted for very practical considerations on when not...

Congratulations as your holy quest is completed! (nt)

By: Ronald Held : August 9th, 2009-07:34

NT

Thanks Ronald! :) (nt)

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-09:24

Super Big Congrats Raph on acquiring your Grail piece :-)

By: SALMANPK : August 9th, 2009-08:07

She is so gorgeous, indeed a worthy object of your dreams and desires I wish one day I too can enjoy her presence even for a fleeting moment Wear her in Health S This message has been edited by SALMANQ8 on 2009-08-09 08:11:31

Thanks so much Salman

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-09:26

She is gorgeous indeed... I am sure you can one day fulfill this wish of enjoying her presence for much more than a fleeting moment thanks again. cheers raph

do you want more? heres a couple more :)

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-10:07

will try and get better wristshots done tomorrow... till then i hope u enjoy these pics...

Oh ya, yes, these pictures really do it for me

By: amerix : August 9th, 2009-12:11

Heartwarming to see the Freak among this illustrious pair. Vianney's treasure-house of a winder has never been even remotely so well photographed. Mine looks more like a deserted cave right now. The Antiqua is out for some light maintenence work and will ...

thanks Amerix

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-21:48

I brought the Freak out as these are my 3 rose gold pieces and he wanted to join the other 2 for the photoshoot so... i am glad you like these pictures and hope to take better ones in the days and years to come I hope you get yours back soon and in fine f...

Brilliant, Raph. You really bring out ...

By: AndrewD : August 9th, 2009-18:55

... the old world steampunk charm and the richness of these pieces. Really lovely pictures and watches. Thanks Andrew

thanks Andrew

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-21:50

you really into steampunk huh had meant to post a revert on your steampunk thread but was crazy busy during that time. hope alls well. glad u like the pix and watches. cheers raph

Absolutely stunning.......

By: CL : August 9th, 2009-20:05

I so desire it *CL

Just do it CL ;) haha

By: raphmeister : August 9th, 2009-21:50

Stunning pics, love the last pic :-) very poetic :-) nt

By: SALMANPK : August 9th, 2009-20:54

nt

thanks Salman...

By: raphmeister : August 11th, 2009-07:19

last couple of pics in case people overdose on these...

winding experience like none other

By: amerix : August 11th, 2009-11:29

Hi Raph, just me again. The photography is truly stupendous - especially the first shot! But could you possibly describe the winding experience? A couple of turns would be enough. The VHJH, in short the Goldpfeil, gave me this inimitable sensation of touc...

thx again

By: raphmeister : August 12th, 2009-01:01

Hi Amerix Again i am happy that u have enjoyed these photos. I don't know how to photoshop so can't really make them pop but i do my best to share the beauty of the antiqua... In terms of the tactile feel of the winding, when winding it theres a nice leve...

beautiful pics of these gorgeous watches

By: Geo : August 11th, 2009-11:47

Thanks for posting. Really enjoyed it. GEO

thanks for your kind words Geo :) [nt]

By: raphmeister : August 11th, 2009-17:47

A true horological triumph

By: Oztimelord : August 15th, 2009-05:07

This is Vianney at his ultimate. Must be one of the most unique designs in a century. You are very lucky cherish it forever. Regards Rene

thanks very much Rene :) cheers (nt)

By: raphmeister : August 15th, 2009-06:36

Congrats Raphmeister

By: d-star : August 16th, 2009-19:19

I thought the Freak would be your last one for the year, but I can certainly understand why you couldn't pass this one up. Congrats again.

thanks d-star

By: raphmeister : August 17th, 2009-06:52

yup i thought that too a bit earlier than expected... cheers raph