SMALL-SCALE HOROLOGICAL ARTISTRY REACHES ITS PEAK IN THIS SELECTION OF FINE TIMEPIECES FIT FOR NEWCOMERS AND SEASONED COLLECTORS ALIKE
By Josh Hendizadeh | November 4, 2025
Independent watchmaking has never been more exciting – or more inclusive. Once solely reserved for six-figure collectors, the landscape now spans from daring micro-brands to revered haute-horology ateliers. Heritage Auctions’ November 20 Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature® Auction celebrates the full spectrum of independent watchmakers with an unprecedented lineup that proves there’s something for everyone, at every price point.
Accessible Micro-Brands: The Gateway to Craft
Independent doesn’t have to mean unattainable. This season, Heritage spotlights two of the most talked-about micro-brands redefining entry-level independent watchmaking: Christopher Ward and Atelier Wen. These pieces make independents accessible, wearable, and deeply personal.
Christopher Ward Titanium Bel Canto LTD 046/200: This 41 mm titanium chiming watch with visible gong rods and in-house FS01 movement was made exclusively for Google employees. Beautifully finished, innovative, and offered at an approachable level, it’s a reminder that horological artistry doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
Atelier Wen Perception Millésime 283/498: A micro-brand masterpiece in titanium with a hand-guilloché purple dial and limited to 498 pieces. Entirely designed by young enthusiasts, it embodies the new generation of global independent watchmaking.
Mid-Tier Independents: The Enthusiast’s Sweet Spot
Between micro-brand enthusiasm and haute-horology exclusivity lies the independent collector’s sweet spot: makers like Habring² and H. Moser & Cie., who balance refinement, rarity, and value. These mid-tier watches exemplify the appeal of independents: low-volume production, high integrity, and exceptional finishing – without venturing into stratospheric pricing.
Habring² Grand Erwin LTD 05/15: The Austrian husband-and-wife duo behind Habring² deliver hand-built precision and innovation in every piece. This steel “Grand Erwin” features a dead-beat seconds complication and limited-edition charm that defines thoughtful, small-scale horology.
H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch No. 1/20: A tongue-in-cheek yet serious expression of craft, this 18k white gold piece reimagines modern design with mechanical purity. A playful nod to the digital era, it shows Moser’s independent wit and watchmaking mastery.
Haute Independents: The Pinnacle of Modern Horology
At the summit of independent creation are the names that have redefined modern watchmaking as art. Heritage’s November 20 auction showcases several world-class examples by the likes of Romain Gauthier, Greubel Forsey, and Christophe Claret. These creations aren’t merely watches; they are statements of artistry, engineering, and independence itself.
Romain Gauthier Logical One Superior: A masterpiece of mechanical poetry with a ruby-link chain and snail-cam constant-force mechanism.
Greubel Forsey Double Balancier à Différential Constant, Ultra-Fine No. 16/33: Dual balance wheels connected by a constant-force differential, executed in 18k white gold and finished to Greubel Forsey’s obsessive perfection.
Greubel Forsey Tourbillon 24 Secondes Contemporain No. 17: A kinetic sculpture with a 25º inclined tourbillon completing a rotation every 24 seconds, proving why Greubel Forsey defines haute independent watchmaking.
Christophe Claret “Grand Feu Eagle” Unique Piece: This one-of-one white gold flying tourbillon watch with grand-feu enamel eagle dial is an objet d’art at the highest echelon of independent craft.
A Spectrum of Independence
From micro-brand ingenuity to mid-tier refinement to haute-horology masterpieces, the November auction is one of Heritage’s strongest showcases of independent watchmaking to date. Whether your entry point is $2,000 or $200,000, the philosophy is the same: passion, craftsmanship, and originality. Independent watchmaking isn’t defined by price; it’s defined by purpose. And at Heritage, you’ll find that purpose ticking in every timepiece.
