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Hi all! My name is Ruben, I've been into collecting for about 8-9 years. I started with a G-Shock addiction and slowly built it up from there. I got bored of the constant buying and selling and got into independents about 2-3 years ago. My first purchase there was the Holthinrichs Ornament 1, which I still have. I'm a young guy, so sadly I can't buy everything I'm into, but that's also how I discover a bunch of amazing microbrands and independents at sub 10k pricepoints too. I worked at an AD during university and got to try a lot there. I also know for sure I want to get back into the industry at some point as I miss it already. Other than that I'm an admin at RedBar Amsterdam, which is also a great way to stay connected to the hobby when you have a full-time job in another field. I also do a lot of photography alongside this hobby so you'll likely see me share some shots here and there. I included a photo with some of the watches I currently have in rotation.

Hello, my name is Perry aka @horo_surgeon. I’ve been collecting watches since 2005 but been wearing a watch ever since I was 5. I’ve always been fascinated by timepieces since that age. I dove head first into indies about 3 years ago and haven’t looked back. Perry

Mission To create a community solely dedicated to the appreciation and support of small, independent watchmaking; facilitate positive interaction between independent watchmakers, brands, and enthusiasts; and provide a forum for watch enthusiasts to gather, learn, and discuss a shared passion. Core Values Respect the watchmakers and brands Learn, Love, Appreciate and Interact Help others learn Relationships based on shared passion are the heart of independent watchmaking HOW you express your opinion matters as much AS your opinion Differences of opinion should be celebrated, not denigrated Be courteous in all interactions Enjoy the creativity, craftsmanship, and skill, even if the watch isn't for you Value everyone else's opinions as much as you value your own Your personal valuation of a timepiece as compared to the price is irrelevant Purpose BeSpoken is an independent watchmakers social community specifically created by small independent watchmakers to provide an interactive social platform for watch enthusiasts that is more consistent with the bespoke/independent watchmaking process. Independent watchmaking, more than any other product, is a shared passion and relationship between the creator and the consumer. In that way, it is unique and different from other consumer luxury goods. The intimate relationship between the watchmaker and the enthusiast is the beating heart of independent watchmaking and the value of that relationship cannot be measured in dollars. It is the emotions and feelings, the sense of shared passion, and the creation of mechanical and artistic beauty. In today’s ever increasing marketing driven world, current social platforms are designed to facilitate quick, meaningless interactions and to get as many Likes, Views, and Sales as possible. Instead of promoting an appreciation of beauty and creativity, these platforms encourage meaningless platitudes and hollow relationships as a means to an end. Loud, bold, and abrasive is celebrated, while quiet beauty tends to be ignored. This is in direct conflict with the bespoke/independent watchmaking process which celebrates the creative process, the time to appreciate the beauty of true craftsmanship, and the mutual enjoyment of developing new, enduring relationships based on a shared passion. BeSpoken is a community created and designed specifically to facilitate more meaningful interaction. A place where watchmakers and enthusiasts can both appreciate the craft of watchmaking and interact to the benefit of the watchmakers and overall watchmaking community. Failure to adhere to the core values above will result in a temporary or permanent ban. If you have any questions regarding the Mission, Core Values, or Purpose, please contact administrator@bespokenlounge.watch.

My name is Chris and I didn't get into watch collecting until late about 7 years ago. I've made up for it in the short time I've been collecting and have gradually moved into higher-end timepieces. In the last year or so I really became interested in independents. I've always gravitated away from the mainstream, so smaller, relatively unknown independent brands was a natural progression as my collecting has evolved. Sharing a relationship with the person responsible for designing and creating your timepiece is a completely different experience than buying off the shelf at an AD. That personal connection just can't be duplicated and its the main reason why I decided to start a community built around independent watchmaking. Hopefully this forum can be a positive, supportive community for independent watch enthusiasts and small independent watchmakers to interact.

Welcome to BespokenLounge, a community of enthusiasts specifically created to support small independent watchmakers and brands. Independent watchmaking is steeped in history, tradition, craftsmanship, passion, and love. There is an intimate beauty and deep-seated bond created between the watchmaker and the watch during the painstaking process of creativity and creation. These feelings, this passion, goes far beyond the physical object. It is emotional experience of creation that is transferred to the person who buys and wears the watch. For many watch-wearers, a watch is simply a tool, a piece of jewelry, or all to often a status symbol used to portray success or wealth. This is antithetical to the appreciation of true craftsmanship and beauty that forms the heart of independent/bespoke watchmaking. Social Media has further reduced discussion to Likes, emojis, and platitudes. And these social media platforms and other watch forums are specifically designed to drive clicks which means they focus on large, luxury brands. This community celebrates watchmaking. It allows enthusiasts to interact with each other and engage in actual conversation . Further, we are working to add several independent watchmakers to the community in the near future with their own customized clubs and forums to directly interact with the community. This is what sets independent watchmaking apart from mass-produced watches. The personal connection and relationship between the watchmaker, the watch, and the wearer is the soul of independent watchmaking. So welcome to Bespoken Lounge. Use the Introduction Forum below to introduce yourself and tell us a about your journey to independent watchmaking. PLEASE READ the Mission Statement, Core Values, and Purpose of this forum. This community is a place to support independent watchmaking and the watchmakers who share their passion with us. Welcome, Chris (TimeTexasChris)