I seem to remember MF saying the current production capacity is 25 units per week for the Bel Canto.
That being the case, an open series of the watch will take quite some capacity organisation or a production re-think so you can see why they would want to put a certain number of "ducks in a row". Also to consider colour options (black is a given) as blue and green are already taken.

It's a good problem to have but it's still a problem.

There is no reason they can't use the sonnerie movement they already have that is all behind the dial, for an unlimited variant at half the price. Much cheaper to produce, no hand finishing, and minimal capacity constraints to make those.

I think that CW should definitely do this in fact.

JasH wrote: ↑Sun Nov 20, 2022 10:31 pm There is no reason they can't use the sonnerie movement they already have that is all behind the dial, for an unlimited variant at half the price. Much cheaper to produce, no hand finishing, and minimal capacity constraints to make those.

I think that CW should definitely do this in fact.

The only thing is that it won't sound the same behind a dial.

Cheers,

M

I think the appeal of the Bel Canto is more in how it looks than the fact it chimes. If CW release a chiming watch with everything hidden behind a dial it would be a completely different watch and be much less desirable.

It’s more than possible that Meistersinger has a patent on Frank’s original movement anyway.

iain wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:46 am I think the appeal of the Bel Canto is more in how it looks than the fact it chimes. If CW release a chiming watch with everything hidden behind a dial it would be a completely different watch and be much less desirable.

Absolutely. You only hear it once each hour, but dang it looks cool and you know what that's for.

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:52 am It’s more than possible that Meistersinger has a patent on Frank’s original movement anyway.

It's more likely that they have an exclusive agreement to use the original movement rather than a patent.

Under normal circumstances a patent would be assigned to the inventor (Frank) and/or their employer (CW). For Meistersinger to have a patent CW and Frank would have agreed to give up their rights to the movement for a long time. It's possible but unlikely that the Meistersinger were able to negotiate a "work for hire" agreement with CW which would allow them to claim the intellectual property. They would also have to be able to differentiate the FS01 to the Meistersinger movement in a way that designed around any independent claims in a prior Meistersinger patent. Tricky that.

There are some ways in which US and EU patent law is applied but I still think they have an exclusive deal rather than a patent.

Noush wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 11:39 am

iain wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:46 am I think the appeal of the Bel Canto is more in how it looks than the fact it chimes. If CW release a chiming watch with everything hidden behind a dial it would be a completely different watch and be much less desirable.

Absolutely. You only hear it once each hour, but dang it looks cool and you know what that's for.

Yep that’s where I am. I would have been unlikely to buy one had I looked like just a normal watch with a chime.

Neil

albionphoto wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:20 pm It's more likely that they have an exclusive agreement to use the original movement rather than a patent.

Thanks for the elucidation, Mark. I probably meant something like that really but that kind of language/concept is not really my stock in trade.

nbg wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:34 pm

Noush wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 11:39 am

iain wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:46 am I think the appeal of the Bel Canto is more in how it looks than the fact it chimes. If CW release a chiming watch with everything hidden behind a dial it would be a completely different watch and be much less desirable.

Absolutely. You only hear it once each hour, but dang it looks cool and you know what that's for.

Yep that’s where I am. I would have been unlikely to buy one had I looked like just a normal watch with a chime.

Neil

How about a transparent dial like C60 Sapphire ?

^^^ I think the attractive bits are already on display!

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:44 pm

albionphoto wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:20 pm It's more likely that they have an exclusive agreement to use the original movement rather than a patent.

Thanks for the elucidation, Mark. I probably meant something like that really but that kind of language/concept is not really my stock in trade.

I spend far too much time with Intellectual Property Counsel...

iain wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:46 am I think the appeal of the Bel Canto is more in how it looks than the fact it chimes. If CW release a chiming watch with everything hidden behind a dial it would be a completely different watch and be much less desirable.

I agree completely, and I am personally buying the Bel Canto more because of its appearance.

But I am sure there is a market for a series production CW sonnerie at well under £1,500 where the movement is all behind the dial.

Also agree with the following discussion that CW will own the patent/rights.

JasH wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 11:57 pm I agree completely, and I am personally buying the Bel Canto more because of its appearance.

I was also attracted to the Bel Canto by its appearance but not as a watch. I admire the work done by CW but I can’t help thinking it’s a lovely piece of jewellery. It’s not a critical thought but explains why I remain 50/50.