Alon Ben Joseph is an independent watch journalist and co-founder of leading watch podcast “The Real Time Show”.

The reason I became a Boisdale Club member is simple: it was love at first sight. The moment I stepped into Boisdale Belgravia, I felt as though I’d come home. Both Boisdale establishments are a living embodiment of their founder, Ranald Macdonald: unique, full of character, eclectic, soulful, and positively dripping with quality. For those who appreciate sartorial elegance, you’ll be familiar with the Italian term sprezzatura, that studied nonchalance, the art of making the difficult look effortless. That, in essence, is what Ranald and his exceptional team deliver daily in the world of hospitality. Calling it “casual luxury” would be a disservice. It’s art. It’s masterful.

Over a spontaneous and thoroughly enjoyable lunch at Boisdale Belgravia with Ranald, he asked me a question that stopped me mid-sip of a glorious Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2006: “Who are the true artists of the watchmaking world, those who still craft their own movements?” The red wine, rich with blackcurrant, tobacco, cedar and earthy truffle, remained untouched as I launched into an impassioned oration.

Naturally, I began with the British Grand Masters: Roger W. Smith, heir to the late George Daniels on the Isle of Man; Charles Frodsham & Co., arguably the finest watchmaker in the UK; Struthers Watchmakers, a husband-and-wife duo reviving British haute horlogerie; and Garrick Watchmakers, known for their bespoke craftsmanship.

From there, we journeyed swiftly to Switzerland, home to the classicists: Greubel Forsey, Ferdinand Berthoud, Philippe Dufour, Kari Voutilainen, Rexhep Rexhepi, F.P. Journe, and Petermann Bédat, all of whom produce watches entirely in-house. Though not fully in-house, I must tip my hat to the avant-garde visionaries who have reimagined time itself: Urwerk, founded by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei; and MB&F, the brainchild of Max Büsser.

Heading north, we find the German masters. While A. Lange & Söhne is the most recognised, it’s arguably become a touch too mainstream (dare I say, industrial). I am far more excited by Lang & Heyne, Moritz Grossmann, Jochen Benzinger, and D. Dornblüth & Sohn, who continue to push the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship.

As a proud Dutchman, I must give an honourable mention to the disciples of the legendary Christiaan Huygens: Christiaan van der Klaauw; the Grönefeld brothers; Michiel Holthinrichs; and Stefan Ketelaars, all of whom design and produce their own calibres.

And what of the United States? For years, no watch brand could legally bear the title “Made in the USA”, one of the strictest manufacturing standards in the world. That changed when Californian watchmaker Josh N. Shapiro rose to the challenge. His creation, the Resurgence, is the first modern American timepiece to earn that distinction.

In my enthusiasm, I barely left room for Ranald to get a word in edgeways. He eventually cut in and asked, “But what makes them so unique? Most people have never heard of them.”

Now, my mother always taught me never to answer a question with a question, but I couldn’t help myself: “My dear Ranald, why do you stock such an extraordinary list of niche wines, whiskies and cigars at Boisdale? Wouldn’t it have been easier to stick to the big brands everyone knows?”

And that’s where we found common ground. I’d struck a chord. But he had me there: I needed a moment to collect my thoughts. He’d pressed a button. I paused, picked up my glass, inhaled the glorious bouquet of the Mission Haut-Brion, and finally took a sip. That’s when it hit me.

These independent watchmakers are akin to independent winemakers. Each is distinct, each utterly unique. They are consumed by a pursuit of perfection, never content with compromise. Their quest for excellence is unrelenting. It’s not driven by monetary gain: it’s a vocation. They know no other path, and more importantly, they have no desire to. Creativity resides deep within them, and it demands expression.

So why are these handmade watches so sought after? Why do waiting lists stretch for years—sometimes even a decade? Why do they fetch double or triple their original price at auction?

Because, like a fine vintage, they are rare. They are crafted with blood, sweat and tears. And as we all know, a small increment in quality often means a giant leap in price. These watchmakers are the best in the world. They push the envelope in both design and mechanical innovation. It’s not just watchmaking: it’s art.