I have had the chance to receive one of the first prototypes of the brand last week and have been wearing it daily since. I think it’s about time for me to share with you some of my key takeaways.

But first, let’s rewind a little bit to the infamous 2020 year ! when I received a call from Hamad from KSA telling me he has something very cool and secretive he wanted to share with me and hear my thoughts.

I didn’t really know what to expect as we were speaking first on Instagram and then picked the phone up to hear the excitement in his voice explaining to me his new venture with a young watchmaker called Andrea. Now, the devious, curious man I am , I kept asking him to show me at least one picture of this watch he is so fond of…. it took him few days to accept to share with me a “disappearing” picture of the watch – meaning I get a sneak peak and it disappears.

Few months down the road , I started seeing the real pictures of the prototypes with diverse dials, silver, black, grey and of course my favourite Havana salmon. The idea was shaping up pretty well and what stroke me the most was the anticipated price point – I couldn’t believe that watch is going to be on Kickstarter for USD 330 for early birds. I thought to myself maybe they will cut corners or reduce quality to meet that price point.

So Hamad sent me the Havana edition to see it up close and enjoy it on my wrist –  I must say: Wooww!! Let me tell you why.

For a watch at this price point, the designers have really put a lot of attention to details – whether it was the curved, domed hands in tempered blued steel with a beautiful polish or the engraved ends pushers with a sun pattern or « Tasti Tondi » as they might be called, or even the delicately well curved lugs on that thin case.

More than that, the pusher’s pattern has a small step to better control the polishing of the element. This step is also found on the decagonal screwed caseback, again to better control the finish between circular brush and polish finish.

Now let’s look at the dial; look closely and you realize the various type of finishing from the fine microblasting to lacquer. One comment I had on the inner “salmon” dial color, I would have liked to see it lighter and more salmoni than brownish.

The indexes are a mix of Roman numerals 12 and 6, and the batton indexes all finished by a CNC process for a better polishing finishing.

Inside, the case back has a « perlage » finish and is engraved with the seal of the brand and the case manufacturer. Each main element has its own reference number: the dials, the bracelet buckles, the main case or the case back.

Even the strap choice was made with care – the light havana greyish leather strap is very soft and light to wear – also it fits perfectly the color of the dial and the full look of the watch – I am really glad they didn’t take the simple , easy way with just another black calf skin strap.

For some, my next piece of information might come as a disappointment , but let’s bare in mind : Rome was not build in One day!!! so  the first collections will all be limited edition meca-quartz chronographs (two of the references will no longer be reproduced after the campaign).

I know we all are eager to have that manual winding vintage chronograph feel that would have complemented this watch to reach Horo-perfection; but then again at USD330, you can’t expect to have the world!! but don’t worry because their second edition is going to be mechanical.

The watches are going to be sold on kickstarter on March 10th and I believe from my latest conversations with the founders, they are expecting between 1,000 to 4,000 watches for their first batch of orders.

Having said that, in my opinion, in today’s watch industry and at this competitive price point; we are looking at a very strong contestant in the Micro-brand watch industry. I do expect an increase in pricing for the next releases, but also definitely a step up in your money’s worth.

For more information, check their website

https://furlanmarri.com/

The post My Furlan Marri story appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

What is this initiative about exactly?

Christian Selmoni and a team of 2 watchmakers and restaurateurs work closely together at the manufacture in Geneva to curate the most unique, rare and sought after pieces from the Maison heritage collection.Each watch is chosen with patience and talent by the Maison’s heritage department specialists, vintage watches covering the entire 20th century and are now part of the aptly named “Les Collectionneurs” collection.The latter continues to evolve over time and is regularly offered for sale to brand aficionados at dedicated events organised in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world. “Les Collectionneurs” models all come with a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee.The notion of vintage is second nature to Vacheron Constantin. It is expressed through a strong attachment to everything relating to its heritage. In more than 260 years of existence, the Maison has accumulated a unique set of archives in the field of time measurement. Engaged in uninterrupted production since its origins, the Manufacture is also able to take care of – and restore if necessary – any watch from its workshops, whatever its age. A closer look at its archives and its private collection of more than 1,500 timepieces offers an excellent insight into this historical depth and the means used to nurture it. From the watchmakers and craftsmen of its restoration workshop to the historians of the Style & Heritage team, the experts at Vacheron Constantin possess all the necessary skills to best serve this vintage watchmaking that now enjoys such an excellent reputation.

Vacheron Constantin quickly felt the need to unite connoisseurs and aficionados of the Maison around this same passion, leading to the creation of “Les Collectionneurs”: an approach consisting in using the Manufacture’s considerable resources to gather and restore a series of historical Vacheron Constantin pieces, subsequently offered for sale at dedicated events in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world.

“Les Collectionneurs” represents another facet of Vacheron Constantin,” Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director. “The collection perpetuates this precious link between past and present, enabling our clientele of connoisseurs and collectors to acquire restored vintage pieces directly through the Maison, which is a real guarantee. As for the events organised around the world to unveil these pieces, they attract both seasoned collectors and young generations eager to delve more deeply into watchmaking history.”

The curated watches

The Vacheron Constantin Heritage team works to bring together these vintage watches, whether pocket or wristwatches. The objective is to create a representative range of timepieces offered by Vacheron Constantin over the years. All kinds of channels are used in order to locate them: auction rooms, personal contacts with private individuals – bearing in mind that an expert eye is decisive in the choice of these timepieces, be they simple or striking models, calendars or chronographs… Pocket watches mainly covering the years 1910 to 1930 and wristwatches prior to 1970 – with a preference for the period from 1940 to 1960 – are then subjected to a dual appraisal.

First of all, a historical evaluation is undertaken in order to authenticate the piece with reference to the in-house archives, which have been listing cases and movements by serial number for a century and a half. Then comes the technical assessment aimed at determining which interventions may be necessary, from simply cleaning the watch to its restoration – the objective being to preserve these timepieces in a state as close as possible to that of their origins.If necessary, they are restored to working order using period components, of which Vacheron Constantin maintains a large stock, or else reproduced the old-fashioned way and in identical form within the Manufacture.Once the process is complete, each timepiece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee, the latter being the same as that delivered with all models within the Maison’s standard collections.

Unveiling the watches

Throughout the year, Vacheron Constantin organises special events or exhibitions of historical models from its private collection in its boutiques. These are all special experiences that give connoisseurs an opportunity to discover this “Les Collectionneurs” collection; and Vacheron Constantin’s experts a chance to share the history related to the “experience” of these models.Thanks to its extremely well documented archives, the Maison can retrace the destiny of these timepieces that have survived through the ages as testimony to their time and to its watchmaking expertise. Rare and doubtless unique for those who cherish them, these Vacheron Constantin watches bearing the patina of age as a badge of honour are thus ready for a new life.As we are here today in Dubai and for the first time we are being able to see some of those amazing pieces from pocket watches in aluminum to minute repeaters in gold. The breadth and range of timepieces shares is exceptional and what’s even more exciting is the fact that we can purchase them on the spot.

The team is currently at the Dubai Mall from January 12-17 – you can book your appointment to have a private viewing with Christian Selmoni and discover the full breadth of rare vintage pieces they are showcasing

www.vacheron-constantin.com

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