RECOMMENDED VIEWING: Watchfinder & Co’s Andrew Morgan tells the story of the collector-made Lyrique watch
Zach BlassWith each new release of a watch, for every person that comments they are ready to swipe their credit card, there are three more criticising everything they think is wrong with the watch. In a world where more people are consuming watch media and buying watches, many consider themselves connoisseurs of watch design. With prices at retail continuing to go up and up, one group of collectors decided they wanted to cut out the middle-man. Instead of relying on an established manufacture to produce the watch of their dreams, these 51 collectors decided to go right to the source – buying parts from venerated suppliers to assemble a watch up to their specs. And this is just the surface of the story of the Lyrique Etude No. 1.
One of the best narrators in the watch space, Watchfinder & Co’s Andrew Morgan recently posted a video that delves into the full fascinating backstory of the first Lyrique watch. He breaks down the various suppliers behind the components, such as the Metalem-made dial (they create dials for Philippe Dufour), the Agenhor movement (who supply movement ebauches to Moser and are the team behind the Rattrapante GMT functionality of the Tonda PF), and case manufacturer Voutilainen & Cattin SA established by celebrated watchmaker Kari Voutilainen.
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The watch was even nominated for a GPHG prize back in 2022. The GPHG explained: “Lyrique Timepieces, founded by 51 watch devotees from 16 countries and five continents employed Breguet’s model and adapted it to exemplify the best of watchmaking accessible to the watch enthusiast, resulting in Étude No. 1. Working with Swiss-based suppliers and component manufacturers and a Swiss designer, Lyrique sourced a world-leading movement, designed a new watch case, and created a bespoke dial and hands to complete the composition.”
The really incredible part of this story is the fact that the cost of the watch, were it made by an established brand, likely would have sold for over US$20,000 considering the quality of the components and parts manufacturers. The Lyrique Etude No. 1 has long been sold out, but it was unbelievably priced at just CHF 9,500.
Please do yourself a favour, and check out Andrew’s Watchfinder & Co. video on the Lyrique Etude No. 1 above.