VANGARDE is an independent French designer producing handmade watches for contemporary watch connoisseurs looking for original and exclusive timepieces.
The watches are produced solely by the Vangarde brand with a dozen Swiss watchmakers specialising in high-end limited editions.
Our design team and skilled craftsmen make VANGARDE watches what they are.
In terms of style, VANGARDE brings classic design, art, modern elegance and craftsmanship together with the personal touch you’d expect of an independent designer.
The watches are only available to order and are delivered by courier with a money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.
We sell direct and cut out the middleman to provide competitive prices despite the premium rates you’d expect of a handmade limited edition piece.
Vangarde developed the V1 Calibre from the ETA Valjoux 7750 ébauche chosen for its reliability and ease of maintenance.
The V1 Calibre has a specific skeletonised tri-compax back-plate and bridge allowing the minute dial to be positioned at 3 o’ clock (originally at 12 on the 7750). All the essential features such as the balance wheel, balance spring, mainspring etc. have been replaced by state-of-the-art parts (chronometer grade).
The movement has been painstakingly assembled and adjusted in five positions. The surfaces are hand-finished with Côtes de Genève engraving, “perlage” stippling and straight graining.
The bridges and rotor have been redesigned to provide a unique view of the escapement and the self-winding system. A specially designed black galvanising process produces the modern look that you’d expect of a high-end contemporary chronograph.
The extremely delicate “perlage” on the skeleton bridges gives a visual “carbon effect” which expertly blends the old and new whilst the rotor is engraved with Côtes de Genève. The steel mechanical parts and the escapement are finished with straight graining. The dial has Côtes de Genève engraving, rhodium-plated cogs, straight graining and all the calibre’s screws are polished.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Integrated automatic chronograph, chronometer grade.
based on mechanical ébauches ETA Valjoux 7750.
Glucydur balance wheel.
Anachron balance spring.
Nivaflex NM mainspring.
Incabloc shock absorber.
29 jewels.
48 hour power reserve.
Adjusted in five-positions.
Balance bridge hand-finished perlage, galvanized black.
Specific tri-compax plate, skeleton design with hand-finished Côtes de Genève, galvanized black or rhodium.
Specific tri-compax bridge skeleton design with hand-finished straight graining, galvanized black or rhodium.
Automatic-winding bridge, skeleton design with hand-finished perlage, galvanized black.
Barrel bridge, skeleton design with hand-finished perlage, galvanized black.
Rhodium-plated escape wheel with hand-finished straight graining.
Steel mechanical parts rhodium-plating, with hand-finished straight graining.
Barrel bridge, skeleton design with hand-finished perlage, galvanized black.
Rotor, skeleton design with hand-finished Côtes de Genève and printed balance, galvanized black.
Skeletonised rhodium-plated gear wheels.
Polished screws.
After two years of planning, countless designs, prototypes, trials, tests and difficult decisions, Vangarde is proud to present its first watch: the Tempo Théorie, a limited edition with just 88 numbered pieces.
The original idea behind the design was to transform the usual way of displaying time with the hand pointing to a layered scale in a complex and poetic architectural display.
Telling the time…
The Tempo Théorie draws you into a complex equation showcasing the bond between energy (mainspring), movement (rotation around an axis) and shape (the hands’ visual design).
The hour and minute hands overlap, intersect and layer up while the sub-dial hands add the finishing touch to make the overall effect even more complex. All these combinations form a polymorphic structure like a moving work of art set in motion by the mechanical energy from a spring. Its stunning visual effect sparks your curiosity without compromising your ability to tell the time.
With its first design, Vangarde wanted to create a watch that makes you want to look at it again and again. It is more than just a timepiece. What you see is a work of art created by the passage of time.
The hands’ design was a long and difficult process because the goal wasn’t to produce something static like ordinary hands; Vangarde wanted a kinetic design which would incorporate rotational movement so they would align in the most evocative way possible through the hundreds of permutations created by the design.
The hands are carved from an aluminium alloy, magnesium and silicon block to provide maximum visibility whatever the light reflections. The hands have been coated and the unique tips flash with white Superluminova so you can tell the difference between the hours and minutes.
Measuring time …
Once the design of the hands was finally complete, the next challenge was to create a worthy 'backdrop' for them.
A complex, asymmetric skeleton dial was designed to fit the background formed by the V1 Calibre and the kinetic patterns produced by the hands.
The sub-dials add a new dimension to the usual chronograph layout to create a more balanced look.
The pad printing was a graphic design project in itself with the subtle positioning of figures and text to produce a visually stunning overall effect.
The dials are laser cut, galvanised and have a black satin finish with white pad printing.
Counting time ...
See CALIBRE V1Housing time…
Last but not least, everything is housed in a 316 L steel case carved from a solid piece with a monoblock case with precision made calibre setting (no gasket) twinned with a bezel and a screwdown caseback both polished and fitted with O rings.
The sapphire crystal has a state-of-the-art anti-reflective coating to minimise unwanted glare.
The brushed satin finish on the case contrasts beautifully with the crown and the push buttons which are polished and decorated with Clous de Paris engraving.
The bracelet is made in France in keeping with the tradition of master leather craftsmen. It is made from carefully selected Louisiana alligator skin, hand assembled and sewn then fitted to the case with steel fittings.
The strap has a butterfly clasp to ensure easy and secure fastening and it has two brushed and polished Clous de Paris push buttons.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Case
Machined from solid stainless steel 316 LMonobloc caseband (machined movement housing) with brushed and satin finish.
Screw-down back-plate and bezel with polished finish.
Screw-down crown with 'Clous de Paris' finish.
Buttons with 'Clous de Paris' finish.
Sapphire bezel with double sided anti-reflective coating (front and back).
Case dimensions: diameter 42 mm, width 13.9 mm.
Movement
See CALIBRE V1
Dial
Laser cut, galvanised, black mat finished, with white print.
Hands
Cut in the mass of an aluminum alloy, magnesium, silicium, creamy finish , skeletonised with Superluminova C1 insert (hour and minute hands).
Strap
Hand-made from Louisiana alligator-skin, large square scales, hand-stitched, black calf leather lining.
Clasp
316 L stainless steel, double push-button butterfly clasp with polished, satin, 'Clous de Paris' finish.
Price : 5350 euros
The original idea behind the design was to transform the usual way of displaying time with the hand pointing to a layered scale in a complex and poetic architectural display.
A flash of red glows from the HR’s hands, dial and strap. The colour tastefully peppers the watch’s features and exudes sporty energy without compromising the concept’s original style.
22 numbered pieces of the Tempo Théorie HR limited edition watch will be available.
Telling the time …
The Tempo Théorie draws you into a complex equation showcasing the bond between energy (mainspring), movement (rotation around an axis) and shape (the hands’ visual design).
The hour and minute hands overlap, intersect and layer up while the sub-dial hands add the finishing touch to make the overall effect even more complex. All these combinations form a polymorphic structure like a moving work of art set in motion by the mechanical energy from a spring. Its stunning visual effect sparks your curiosity without compromising your ability to tell the time.
With its first design, Vangarde wanted to create a watch that makes you want to look at it again and again. It is more than just a timepiece. What you see is a work of art created by the passage of time.
The hands’ design was a long and difficult process because the goal wasn’t to produce something static like ordinary hands; Vangarde wanted a kinetic design which would incorporate rotational movement so they would align in the most evocative way possible through the hundreds of permutations created by the design.
The hands are carved from an aluminium alloy, magnesium and silicon block to provide maximum visibility whatever the light reflections. The hands have been coated and the unique tips flash with red Superluminova so you can tell the difference between the hours and minutes.
Measuring time …
Once the design of the hands was finally complete, the next challenge was to create a worthy 'backdrop' for them.
A complex, asymmetric skeleton dial was designed to fit the background formed by the V1 Calibre and the kinetic patterns produced by the hands.
The sub-dials add a new dimension to the usual chronograph layout to create a more balanced look.
The pad printing was a graphic design project in itself with the subtle positioning of figures and text to produce a visually stunning overall effect.
The dials are laser cut, galvanised and have a black satin finish with white and red pad printing plus 11 matt white indices applied by hand.
Counting time ...
See CALIBRE V1Housing time…
Last but not least, everything is housed in a 316 L steel case carved from a solid piece with a monoblock case with precision made calibre setting (no gasket) twinned with a bezel and a screwdown caseback both polished and fitted with O rings.
The sapphire crystal has a state-of-the-art anti-reflective coating to minimise unwanted glare.
The brushed satin finish on the case contrasts beautifully with the crown and the push buttons which are polished and decorated with Clous de Paris engraving.
The bracelet is made in France in keeping with the tradition of master leather craftsmen. It is made from carefully selected Louisiana alligator skin, hand assembled and sewn then fitted to the case with steel fittings.
The strap has a butterfly clasp to ensure easy and secure fastening and it has two brushed and polished Clous de Paris push buttons.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Case
Machined from solid stainless steel 316 LMonobloc caseband (machined movement housing) with brushed and satin finish.
Screw-down back-plate and bezel with polished finish.
Screw-down crown with 'Clous de Paris' finish.
Buttons with 'Clous de Paris' finish.
Sapphire bezel with double sided anti-reflective coating (front and back).
Case dimensions: diameter 42 mm, width 13.9 mm.
Movement
See CALIBRE V1
Dial
Laser cut, galvanised, black mat finished, with white and red pad printing, 11 matt white indices applied by hand.
Hands
Cut in the mass of an aluminum alloy, magnesium, silicium, creamy finish , skeletonised with red Superluminova insert (hour and minute hands).
Strap
Hand-made from Louisiana alligator-skin, large square scales, hand-stitched, black calf leather lining.
Clasp
316 L stainless steel, double push-button butterfly clasp with polished, satin, 'Clous de Paris' finish.
Price : 5650 euros
Imbued with a creative blend of watchmaking passion, ‘Chrono Théorie’ epitomises the "vision" of the chronograph by the designer VANGARDE.
A face with multiple facets...
The face of this piece bears the movement, dial and hands and has been designed to create several levels of structural perception. This feat was made possible by developing an amazing interwoven design.
The interwoven design creates an instantly recognisable whole piece which also has subtly distinguishable subsections.
These subsections revolve mainly around the shapes, surfaces and outlines formed by the dial-movement pairing and can be given a fresh twist by moving the hands for an incredibly subtle polymorphic kinetic experience.
Please see image for some of the design’s main subsections.
As you gaze at its face and your eye focuses on the different levels of perception, you’ll see how the ‘Chrono Théorie’ expresses a multitude of changing aesthetic emotions, a concept which gives this chronograph a new vision of the art of watchmaking.
The many details that make up this intriguing face include the following:
2 large symmetrical bi-compax counters which, like eyes, embody the key element around which different emotions related to the interwoven design revolve.
The shape of the dial which has been designed as a fusion of structures at different levels of timekeeping and plays on the duality of symmetry/asymmetry.
Two-tone hour and minute hands showcase the kinetic transformation of the elements and their tips feature the V. logo.
The two-tone printing helps identify subsections and create balance.
The “seconds” and “chrono minutes” counter hands provide visual timekeeping by masking the circle rather than pointing straight at the markers.
The chrono hour counter is put in an anti-clockwise rotation and incorporated by the interwoven printing….
The sheer number of variables in the design would be tedious to describe in full just as it is impossible to describe the multitude of aesthetic emotions produced by the concept. This is a unique and personal experience which plays out in the loyal relationship between the timepiece and its wearer…
Embedded in-house movement :
See CALIBRE V1Steel and glass armour…
The ‘Chrono Théorie’ has a 316L stainless steel case cut from a solid block with a monobloc middle case and machined calibre housing (no casing ring). The a bezel and screwdown back are both polished and fitted with O-rings.
The sapphire crystals have a state of the art anti-reflection coating to minimise unwanted glare.
The caseband has a brushed, satin-finish surface creating a beautiful contrast with the crown and pushers which are polished and decorated with Clous de Paris.
The strap is made in France in keeping with the tradition of master leather craftsmen. Made from carefully selected Louisiana alligator skin, it is hand assembled and sewn then fitted to the case with stainless steel screwdown tubes.
To ensure easy and secure wear, the strap has a butterfly clasp and two pushers with a brushed, polished, Clous de Paris finish.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Case
Machined from solid stainless steel 316 L.
Monobloc caseband (machined movement housing) with brushed and satin finish.
Screw-down back-plate and bezel with polished finish.
Screw-down crown with 'Clous de Paris' finish.
Buttons with 'Clous de Paris' finish.
Sapphire bezel with double sided anti-reflective coating (front and back).
Case dimensions: diameter 42 mm, width 13.9 mm.
Movement
See CALIBRE V1
Dial
CNC cut, galvanised, black mat finished, white and grey tampography.
12 index applies lacquered matt white.
Hands
Skeletonised, galvanized black, white and black Superluminova, white varnish.
Strap
Hand-made from Louisiana alligator-skin, large square scales, hand-stitched, black calf leather lining.
Clasp
316 L stainless steel, double push-button butterfly clasp with polished, satin, 'Clous de Paris' finish.
Price : 5650 euros
Chrono Théorie Francais
Tempo Théorie HR Francais
Tempo Théorie Francais
Download press kits :
Chrono Théorie English
Tempo Théorie HR English
Tempo Théorie English
