Gronefeld no longer taking orders

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I run a medium sized venture fund, and I'm right there with you. I do not disagree.

That said, I do realize how hard it is to scale, and I believe I commented on that above somewhere (or maybe it was elsewhere regarding Gronefeld).

I commend anyone for understanding their own boundaries and respecting them.

That said, it doesn't change the fact that fully stopping all incoming orders for multiple years is potentially detrimental to any business.

I work 80 hours a week. It's fun. It's definitely not for everyone.

I don't think it's detrimental for luxury goods if done correctly & managed well, but again, to our point, I don't think Gronefeld cares. They seem like artists focused on putting out high quality watches, and aren't really in it for the money.

Same way I'm sure you feel about VC as a craft. Yeah AUM could scale but do you want to be competing against Tiger in growth deals? Not as fun lol

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

...but again, to our point, I don't think Gronefeld cares. They seem like artists focused on putting out high quality watches, and aren't really in it for the money.

That's fair.

[BrunoMalik]

I am a shareholder in one of the smaller but well known independents. Not involved day to day but get regular updates from management.

The biggest bottleneck is not on watchmakers but its on actual parts and components. The small independent watchmakers dont have the same leverage as the big groups so they get components last. Not to mention, some of the component manufacturers are owned by the big groups themselves so will supply them 1st.

Watchmakers themselves have enough time capacity but not enough parts. Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of talented watchmakers in Switzerland to go around.

Last but not least, demand is crazy. Production will increase from 150 watches this year to 600 watches next year. And thats nowhere near to filling the existing orderbook, let alone what comes later. Hence all new model releases that were planned for 4Q21 are postponed to 1Q22 the earliest.


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[Yobrooks]

So given the 3 year wait list for a new Principia, would the consensus be, if you were lucky enough, to put the deposit down now for the Principia in 3 years? Or nwait for the new offering whatever that may be? Thouts.?

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Yobrooks

So given the 3 year wait list for a new Principia, would the consensus be, if you were lucky enough, to put the deposit down now for the Principia in 3 years? Or nwait for the new offering whatever that may be? Thouts.?

The point is that they are not accepting any new orders, so they've instructed their ADs to not take more orders, therefore no more deposits taken by ADs.

[Yobrooks]

I understand that no more orders are being taken. I just wondering if the folks on the 3year wait list would rather wait the 3 yrs for a Principia or go for the new model this year?

[dchang81]

i'm curious what they're coming out with...

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by dchang81

i'm curious what they're coming out with...

I haven't seen any indications or rumors that they're working on something new (I mean, obviously most watch brands are always trying to cook something new up).

Did I miss something?

[dchang81]

yea they posted that they have something new cooking available later this year

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by dchang81

yea they posted that they have something new cooking available later this year

Ah, thank you! Missed that entirely.

[WatchEater666]

Anyone know what the new complication will be that replaces the remontoire model?

[sgrossma]

Can anyone shed any light on how allocations work for new pieces? Do we expect it to be first come, first served on their website? If you are allocated a watch 3 years out, do you have to pay in full or is it usually just a small deposit?

[FrugalGreubel]

Originally Posted by sgrossma

Can anyone shed any light on how allocations work for new pieces? Do we expect it to be first come, first served on their website? If you are allocated a watch 3 years out, do you have to pay in full or is it usually just a small deposit?

I was wondering the same thing. I’m assuming this is gonna be one of those situations where it’s offered to pre-existing customers and already sold out once it’s announced to the public.

[kunlun]

Originally Posted by dchang81

yea they posted that they have something new cooking available later this year

You've heard of a minute repeater? Well, this one will be a lager repeater, it chimes beautifully when you need a drink. You heard it here first!

[sgrossma]

More Gronefeld press...

They mention that the new model will be limited to 188 pieces also, but no further detail. Sounds like they don't plan to increase production drastically, so chances of new orders any time soon sound slim.

https://www.watchpro.com/the-big-int...art-gronefeld/

[sgrossma]

Stunning Gronefeld for Cellini release today. The dial is so cool. Sadly it had pre-sold out last night from the teaser alone!

[sgfortino]

Originally Posted by sgrossma

Stunning Gronefeld for Cellini release today. The dial is so cool. Sadly it had pre-sold out last night from the teaser alone!

Think it was sold out long before the press release last night unfortunately.

[enjoythemusic]

Yup

[_speedmaster_]

These “special principia editions” are all sold beforehand. They are group buys coordinated by an AD who secures enough buyers to put in a custom order with Gronefeld. AD, Bart and Tim (with some input from customers) design the watch. Certain design elements are off limits. This group buy was likely sold out 7 or 8 months ago, given someone on instagram said they are expecting the watch in a month or two.

[enjoythemusic]

Am glad they go to 'strong hands' too. This keeps flippers away

[sgfortino]

This meteorite version is amazing

[GB-man]

All said a great result. Congrats to everyone who was in on it.

[GreenLantern]

So, they stopped taking customer orders but are taking group buy orders?

Seems like a double standard.

That said, it is a beauty! Congrats to all who got one.

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

So, they stopped taking customer orders but are taking group buy orders?

Seems like a double standard.

That said, it is a beauty! Congrats to all who got one.

These group buys were in effect before that announcement.

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Am glad they go to 'strong hands' too. This keeps flippers away

Agree; the special editions rarely come up on the grey market. That said, not a ton of flipping of Gronefeld in general, people tend to keep them (a great sign no doubt).

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

These group buys were in effect before that announcement.

That's fair.

[enjoythemusic]

Trf group buy?

The dial could have a Dollar sign at 12 and Flipper at 6. An image of Padi at 9 and Steve at 3. That pretty much sums up TRF 2022 ;-)

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Trf group buy?

If I knew they were into that sort of thing, I'd have proposed this previously, as well.

I had no idea! Didn't realize it until they did this with a few retailers.

Probably too late now, from what others are saying above.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

If I knew they were into that sort of thing, I'd have proposed this previously, as well.

I had no idea! Didn't realize it until they did this with a few retailers.

Probably too late now, from what others are saying above.

Flip that. Who is the most interesting watchmaker we could get to do a group order and how many people would we need lol

I’m guessing this isn’t the demographic many are looking to cater to.

Let’s get custom steel cornes de vaches lol

[S``]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Let’s get custom steel cornes de vaches lol

Do an Oris ala Hodinkee...Corner the market, then flip that at WUS and c24