Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon Dubai Watch Week

patrick_y · 2023-11-20T14:55:05Z

Discover the Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon from Dubai Watch Week. Learn about its futuristic design, Renaud Et Papi origins, and high-complication pricing. Is it the next big independent watchmaker?

patrick_y

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

12 replies3456 views0 photos

Patrick_y's enthusiastic report from Dubai Watch Week introduces the Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon, a timepiece that captivated him with its innovative design. This article delves into the watch's unique aesthetic and technical prowess, offering insights into its origins from Renaud Et Papi alumni and sparking a discussion on its market positioning and reliability compared to other high-complication watches.

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I saw this at Dubai Watch Week and I found it to be very impressive! I found it to be THE MOST SURPRISING WATCH at Dubai Watch Week!

It's a digital watch kind of like the Lange Zeitwerk, but it has a more futuristic TRON/Spaceship vibe. It also adds a Flying Tourbillon. The science fiction look is really nice in person and is definitely a beautiful look!

The team that makes Vanguart is from Renaud Et Papi (Audemars Piguet's in-house technical solutions provider). Renaud Et Papi alumni are known throughout the industry as some of the best watchmakers and innovators in the industry - many have started their own firms including the team at Vanguart.

The awesome timepiece definitely has a very special gravity - it sucked me in deeply! And I like it a lot! Really looking forward to the amazing concepts from Vanguart in the future! Check out our video of Vanguart's timepiece in action at www.instagram.com where you can see some videos of the numbers advancing. There's also a spinning regulator/governor on the back!

Okay, so now, I decided I wanted one - but when I heard the price - my heart did jump much faster. Unfortunately for me, I have VERY EXPENSIVE tastes. There's a titanium version that I like more than I like the yellow gold version so maybe that'll help me save some funds - but the white gold version (pictured below) speaks to me the most. But go take a look at the video on Instagram and tell me that you don't find that super cool!

And to the team at Vanguart - awesome timepiece. You are rightfully proud of your creation!

Key Points from the Discussion

The Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon is a digital watch with a futuristic 'TRON/Spaceship' aesthetic, incorporating a flying tourbillon and a spinning regulator/governor on the back, making it a highly surprising and visually impressive piece.
The Vanguart team comprises alumni from Renaud Et Papi, known for producing some of the industry's best watchmakers and innovators, suggesting a high level of technical expertise behind the brand.
The instantaneous date change mechanism in watches like the Lange Zeitwerk is very violent, causing significant stress on the movement due to 1440 accelerations and decelerations daily, which can impact reliability.
The pricing of the Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon is estimated to be in the Richard Mille range, especially considering its tourbillon complication, placing it in a very exclusive market segment.
Pricing in the luxury watch market is primarily determined by supply and demand, and while expert opinions exist, they have minimal impact on established market values.
The Vanguart's price point was significantly higher than anticipated, making it a aspirational piece for many collectors despite its impressive design and technical features.

The Discussion

ArmisT

Nov 20, 2023

Given the connection with R&Papi, I’m going to guess that pricing is in the RM range. So, I will admire from a distance.👍🏽

Ronald Held

Nov 20, 2023

To decide about this watch.

patrick_y

Nov 21, 2023

Exactly, RM price range. Also think it has a Tourbillon, so RM price range with Tourbillon! I am relegated to a distance as well! My only chance of ever wearing this watch is for a week at a time - as a loan for a review. I wonder if it's reliable. The Lange Zeitwerk isn't the most reliable. But I have a feeling that this watch will be better since the change isn't as "instantaneous" as the ZW.

patrick_y

Nov 21, 2023

The price was so high for me that I think I have to bow out as gracefully as I can. This is one of those pieces where I realized that I actually did have to ask what the price was (it is about double what I expected it to be) and that the term, "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" was apropos for this watch! But goodness, what a wonderful watch. If I was worth $100Million, I'd buy this watch in a heartbeat!

ArmisT

Nov 21, 2023

For some reason I imagined the opposite.

ArmisT

Nov 21, 2023

I’m not sure what your experience is with RM, but I’ve been curious as to whether their pricing is marketing genius or something drastically different about materials and construction that directly supports their pricing model. Note: I’m not trying to open the topic price/value per se, which we don’t do here. But I would want to know what is so different between RM and MB&F, DeBethune, or Urwerk for example, whose acquisition costs are also very high. Perhaps a topic for in person.

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