During my interview earlier this year with Jean-Claude Biver, we talked about the rise in interest in independent watchmaking and microbrands, and when JCB himself says that “the independents have a lot of happy days in the future” it’s easy to see why there are more and more microbrands entering the market. Of course, not all of these are successful, but there are some inspiring examples of where microbrands have taken on entering into an inordinately difficult market to break into and have done it with aplomb.
This rise is – I think in a large part – driven by a desire amongst collectors to have something special, something rare, something unique in their collection that is not something you’ll find in other collections; microbrands offer a superb and niche solution to this wish, with their small production rates and limited runs of watches.
There are occasions when a microbrand produces a watch which appeals to a broad cross-section of collectors, a far broader audience than those who are lucky enough to acquire one. One such release was the 2020 release by Laventure, with their Transatlantique GMT, with only 2 references available in runs of just 50 pieces each.
Fortunately for me, one of my friends was one of the lucky collectors, and was kind enough to allow me some time with the watch recently to write about (you can follow him on Instagram @mywatches777).
Laventure – Independent watchmaking from the heart of Switzerland
Before we take a look at the Transatlantique GMT, let’s first take a quick look at the brand behind the watch. Laventure was founded by Clément Gaud in 2017, using Kickstarter to raise the capital required to launch the first Marine watches – three stainless steel references with a blue, green or brown dial limited to just 50 pieces in each colour.
The ethos of the brand is to produce timepieces designed for explorers, inspiring connotations of freedom and adventure – something I think we have all been missing very much in the last 18 months or so!
This spirit of adventure is entwined into the DNA of the watches themselves; the original Marine watches were inspired by diving watches of the 1960s, an aesthetic which has largely remained as the new releases have evolved, and is also reflected with the stunning presentation boxes too – but more on that later.
Each year following the 2017 launch, Laventure has produced a new release which is available in very limited numbers – until the Marine II release this year of a single reference in 99 pieces (with a gold dial no less), each reference has been limited to just 50 pieces, meaning the likelihood of ever seeing two Laventure watches in the same room a rather unlikely scenario – given my earlier remarks about the desire amongst collectors to have something special, something rare, something unique in their collection, it becomes apparent why watches like this from Laventure make for an appealing option.
In 2020, Laventure released the Transatlantique GMT – their first release to include a GMT complication. The GMT was released in 2 references, as a green and white dial, limited to just 50 pieces in each reference. The watches sold out incredibly quickly, so let’s take a look at why.
Laventure Transatlantique GMT
Laventure Transatlantique GMT
My first reaction with this watch on my wrist was one of comfort. The stainless steel case is 40.5mm in size which for me hits the sweet spot in terms of diameter, but the key for me in this level of comfort was the integrated bracelet and two specific aspects of its design.
Firstly, the thickness – or lack thereof – results in a particularly lightweight overall feel when compared with other steel bracelets.
Secondly, the links on the bracelet are quite small, which allows the bracelet to really hug the curvature of the wrist. Crucially, neither of these design facets compromises the overall quality of the bracelet, which feels both strong and sturdy – at the point of fastening the bracelet is 17mm wide, fastened by a quality butterfly clasp which is adorned with the Laventure logo. A nice design feature is that the centre-links on the bracelet are shaped like the silhouette of the brand’s logo as well.
The design of the case shape (and bracelet for the matter) is reminiscent of Patek Philippe’s Nautilus case, with a crown and crown-guard on the right-hand side, and a ‘wing’ on the left-hand side of the case to add an element of symmetry to the case. It features both polished and brushed surfaces, and the addition of screw-down crown, adorned with the Laventure logo, ensures an overall water resistance rating of 200m meaning it will be fine even for a dip in the pool.
Whilst the bracelet and case shape might reflect the Nautilus, the dial does anything but. The original aesthetic for Laventure’s first Marine watches was inspired by 1960s dive watches and has echoed through the releases which followed including the Transatlantique GMT.
Each reference, with green or white dial, is a sandwich dial design with apertures cut for the baton hour markers showing through to the creamy, luminescent Swiss Super-LumiNova® beneath. A triangular baton at 12 o’clock is similar to the orientation triangles often found on pilot’s watches, with rectangular batons at 6 and 9 o’clock (there is a date complication at 3 o’clock) and circular hour markers for everything in between.
Note the layering of the sandwich dial
The hours and minutes hands are both fully lumed, whilst the seconds and GMT hand feature a pip of lume at the end, circular for the seconds hand and an arrowhead or triangle for the GMT hand.
As a GMT watch, there is a glossy looking 24-hour bezel around the periphery of the case featuring two different tones of green, and the numerals are packed full of Swiss Super-LumiNova®. All this serves to ensure that even in difficult lighting conditions, the super impressive lume ensures the watch maintains an extremely high degree of legibility.
This watch also marked the first time moving away from a sapphire crystal over the dial; previously, this was the only non-Swiss component used by Laventure, however by introducing the ‘Superdome’ crystal made from Plexiglas® this has enabled the brand to market the watch as 100% Swiss Made. This also contributes to making the watch lighter in terms of weight, better fits the 1960s vibe of the design, and is even a material that is easy to polish out any scratches yourself without any costly repairs.
I really like the colourways on each watch: regardless of the dial colour, I think each looks superb with the natural tones of the cream and green complimenting each other perfectly.
Inside, the watch is powered by an automatic ETA 2893-2 movement base with a 42-hour power reserve, and is a movement that has been used by brand such as Breitling, Hamilton, Sinn and Bell & Ross.
There is a closed caseback so you can’t see the movement, however in place of a sapphire caseback there is a really interesting design engraved, echoing the ethos of the brand and its appetite to convey a sense of adventure. Each piece of the 50 is individually numbered as well.
Often, presentation boxes can be pretty mundane.
Not here.
Rather than a generic box, Laventure present the Transatlantique GMT in a presentation box which was inspired by a special edition of Jules Verne’s ‘The Extraordinary Voyages’, similar to this Hetzel edition of Verne’s ‘Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon’ (affiliate link).
Opening the book, the watch is presented with a certificate of authenticity complete with a wax stamp (how’s that for a detail!), a strap changing tool, and cleaning cloth. It’s a really great overall package presented in a truly whimsical way, and I think this speaks volumes for what Laventure are doing and what they are offering.
In Summary
I found it very difficult to find fault with this watch – the quality is there all around, and to my mind it serves as a pertinent reminder that watches are, and should always be, fun as well. If I had to pick one downside, it might be that the price point placed the watch in a particularly competitive price bracket at CHF 3350, however given there were only 50 pieces this isn’t really something that is going to stop an interested collector from making a purchase!
Truth be told, before seeing this piece, Laventure wasn’t a brand I was overly aware of, however after getting hands on with this watch, the best way to sum up my experience would be that I am now subscribed to their mailing list and am very much looking forward to seeing what they will release next year!
A huge thank you again to @mywatches777 for allowing me to spend some time with the watch to write this article!
If you have any questions, or want to share your thoughts, please get in touch via our Contact page, or via our Instagram.
You might also be interested in:
- Independent Watchmaking – An Ode to the Indies
- “It’s complicated”: an introduction to GMT/Travel/Worldtimer Watches
- In Conversation with Jean-Claude Biver
- Watch Stationery and Gift Ideas
- Watch Books, Watch Boxes and more at the Watch Affinity Shop on Amazon (commissions earned)
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases – thank you for your support
