...I have one piece coming soon that has some of my desired bespoke attributes (that I can't talk about) and a second piece in joint design that has some of the rest (that I also can't talk about). That takes a lot of my desired fairy watchmaker attributes out of the mix! I am feeling pretty fortunate that in some ways the fairy has already visited me...but I can't talk about it...
And, there are already so many great watches out there -- I could say "an astronomic complication including marchante Equation of Time, by Vianney," but we already have that available to us, for instance. And, as if reading our minds, others have altered existing offerings to meet key objections (e.g., "gee, I wish I could read the time on the Papillon!" Voila, the Cocoon...). Work done by independents for brands counts too, in my book, and covers even more ground (e.g., the Van Cleef Midnight in Paris, with its night sky display).
There are other wishes that would offend the sensibilities of the makers in question, so even if the "fairy" were inclined to provide them, I wouldn't ask for them. For instance, a split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, minute repeater by Dufour would be mind-blowing, but he would surely dismiss it as one of the "complication cocktails" that he dislikes so much. Even if the fairy could force him to do it, I wouldn't want to think of the scowls of disapproval that would greet my wearing it!
To make it simpler on myself, I'll limit myself to folks whose watches I don't already own or have on order and expect to have in the foreseeable future (Volker, this means you!). Even so, this leaves a lot of great, great folks out there -- Strehler, Wiederrecht, Marco Lang, the Gronefelds, the McGonigles, Mojon, Candaux, Haldimann -- and many others I'm sure I'm leaving off (apologies to all). Eric Coudray is working independently now and had a hand in making the Cabestan work -- who wouldn't want a piece from the designer of the Gyrotourbillon and JLC minute repeaters?
At the end of the day, I'm down to two fantasy wishes (for now) and would flip a coin to decide:
1. A chiming watch, in RG, with open dial, by Roger Smith.
2. An ultra-thin tourbillon Technique (open construction) in PT, by Greubel-Forsey
And if I sneak back onto the list of folks whose pieces I am already fortunate to own, how about a Dufour Celestial watch with solar and sideral time?
Objects aside, what would be even cooler would be to have experiences with the watchmakers! A quick (and perhaps more attainable list):
1. Skiing with Kari
2. Beers with Tim and Bart
3. Fondue and absinthe with Peter
4. A complete tour of Philippe's safe
5. Spectating at the Isle of Man TT with Roger
6. Flying with Vianney
And, of course, a week of watchmaking apprenticeship with any of them!
Best,
Gary G