Really interesting read - thank you for sharing. Clearly loads of effort and thought put into this...
One thing I wondered is how much of the exalted status of FPJ is down to the insane levels of rarity - it always feels to me like the rarest of the rare. That’s why I see MB&F and Voutilainen very much in the peer group. (Maybe the extreme rarity is simply a product of extreme innovation, quality, production values etc.)
I also wonder if there has to be a level of “mad professor” about the founder? I say that with tongue in cheek, but having met Max Busser and Kari Voutilainen there’s something enigmatic and unquantifiable about their (I’m going to use the word) genius.
Either way, I wonder how many of the other brands on the list have the same level of “you just can’t get them for years and years if ever”... Or driven-to-extreme levels of innovation and standards?
Having looked at your shortlist, I wonder which of the names would be knocked out if we applied those criteria...?
Hi Adam, thanks a lot for taking the time to read and comment! Very good questions and I'd love to share with you my thoughts. Rarity definitely has played a role in reaching the top status for FP Journe. However, it is not the single factor, more a compounding factor. FPJ reportedly makes no more than 900 watches per year. Prior to 2020, it was not so difficult to order one at a boutique or AD without a long wait. However, with so many people wanting one, 900 is a very small amount. The "unobtainium" status further boosted the demands. Many new pieces from the top brands go to the existing collectors, which makes it even harder for folks who are looking for their first piece.
I agree with you that a "mad professor" and "genius" at the helm of the brand is very important in attracting the collectors and enthusiasts. I tried to capture this in the "brand appeal" part of the scores. The problem is that some of the future rockstars are very hard to get already, such as Akrivia. I have one tip for whatever it's worth - Urban Jürgensen. It is not on the list, as it was acquired by Voutilainen last year. Mr. Kari Voutilainen is the CEO of Urban Jürgensen now and there will be new models coming out in 2023. Hopefully, this brand will maintain its relatively lower price points. This would be one way to own a piece of Voutilainen.
Really interesting read - thank you for sharing. Clearly loads of effort and thought put into this...
One thing I wondered is how much of the exalted status of FPJ is down to the insane levels of rarity - it always feels to me like the rarest of the rare. That’s why I see MB&F and Voutilainen very much in the peer group. (Maybe the extreme rarity is simply a product of extreme innovation, quality, production values etc.)
I also wonder if there has to be a level of “mad professor” about the founder? I say that with tongue in cheek, but having met Max Busser and Kari Voutilainen there’s something enigmatic and unquantifiable about their (I’m going to use the word) genius.
Either way, I wonder how many of the other brands on the list have the same level of “you just can’t get them for years and years if ever”... Or driven-to-extreme levels of innovation and standards?
Having looked at your shortlist, I wonder which of the names would be knocked out if we applied those criteria...?
I’d love to hear your perspective...
Hi Adam, thanks a lot for taking the time to read and comment! Very good questions and I'd love to share with you my thoughts. Rarity definitely has played a role in reaching the top status for FP Journe. However, it is not the single factor, more a compounding factor. FPJ reportedly makes no more than 900 watches per year. Prior to 2020, it was not so difficult to order one at a boutique or AD without a long wait. However, with so many people wanting one, 900 is a very small amount. The "unobtainium" status further boosted the demands. Many new pieces from the top brands go to the existing collectors, which makes it even harder for folks who are looking for their first piece.
I agree with you that a "mad professor" and "genius" at the helm of the brand is very important in attracting the collectors and enthusiasts. I tried to capture this in the "brand appeal" part of the scores. The problem is that some of the future rockstars are very hard to get already, such as Akrivia. I have one tip for whatever it's worth - Urban Jürgensen. It is not on the list, as it was acquired by Voutilainen last year. Mr. Kari Voutilainen is the CEO of Urban Jürgensen now and there will be new models coming out in 2023. Hopefully, this brand will maintain its relatively lower price points. This would be one way to own a piece of Voutilainen.