IT'S PERSONAL

A look at the people and ateliers that will undertake the kind of watch customisations that few will

- Preetika Mathew

The idea of independently customising a watch is a layered and contentious one. Purists balk at the idea of cosmetically altering any part of the timepieces in their watch boxes, except for perhaps engraving it with a personalised message or changing the straps (which brands itself encourage, with nearly every watch now outfitted with a quick-change mechanism that can be used to pair it with independent labels). The biggest reason for this is the legacy and history of the brand and the value that a watch represents in that department. After all, a sizeable amount of research and effort goes into making a wristwatch. There is also the time spent on waiting lists and money paid on acquiring the watch, not to mention that in modern watches, the minute you put in aftermarket parts, its warranty is deemed null and void by the brand. Authenticity is an important reason why watchmakers do not approve of personalisation by independent workshops. In vintage and neo-vintage watches, customisation means a fall in valuation. So why opt for it?