Comments:
The attention to detail and manufacturing seems to have gone up a few notches!
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These Laine pieces are super compelling. The engraving on the movement is amazing👍
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Indeed
Not quite like anything else on the market, and certainly not at this price point.
I prefer the aesthetics of the Unitas movements, but...
love each of the versions. Really impressive work from a fantastic watchmaker.
Darren
Seriously tempting
Love the hands on the V38, and the size. If only the movement had some personalized touches, apart from the micro rotor... No doubt the Vaucher 5401/32 is a very nice looking movement (with four internal angles no less), but it is still effectively a stock movement and feels a bit generic, while the reworked Unitas are uniquely Laine.
Very much looking forward to hands-on reviews of these new models. In the meantime, worth checking out the recent article by SJX, although it does not add very much to what is available on the Laine web site.
Unfortunately Vaucher
has instructed Laine that it cannot modify or decorate the movement. It is a reliable movement though and one thing I have learned about this passion of ours is that it is the dial that will always matter more than the movement as we seldom actually look at it. It just provides a feel good factor to know that we have a world class movement if the watch was a Rexhep, Kari or Roger.
Ah, I did not know that!
Thanks for the information, sham1. And agreed on the dial - or perhaps it is the package taken as a whole, ultimately. I'm considering getting one of the new models, and the Vaucher movement by no means is a factor that would put me off. It is a solid pragmatic choice from Laine for the V38, enabling the smaller size not allowed by the Unitas base, and being sophisticated while still keeping the cost very manageable. Shame about not being allowed any modification or decoration, though, as that would have made it nearly perfect.
I did not know that either
so I asked Torsti Laine when ordering mine two days ago and he explained why he could not do anything to the movement. I feel it is one of the best value watches around currently taking into account the beauty of the dial and the reliable proven movement.
Congrats on the order
Looking forward to your impressions and seeing some hands-on pictures in the due course. ;-)
Thank you very much!
I discovered this brand when it was introduced to me two years ago but the 40.5mm case wore too large on my wrist. Now at 38mm, it should be a lot better.
Makes sense
Just wanted to clarify. Do you mean Vaucher can not modify/decorate the movement for Laine or did they forbid Laine from doing it himself (to keep the movement recognizable as Vaucher)?
Yes I heard that from Laine last year as well in August
I believe it was actually stated in the sales contract that the movement was not to be changed. Pity, but it is a thin movement, which is a plus point for me.
As it is, since I don't have a micro-rotor movement in my collection, and with my small wrist, the V38 is the one for me!
As it is, since I don't have a micro-rotor movement in my collection, and with my small wrist, the V38 is the one for me!
Strangely enough
Kikuchi Nakagawa is using the same movement in the Murakumo (which I have ordered too!)and he may have improved on the movement although the difference between the V38 and the Murakumo is that the latter's movement is not visible due to the closed case back which one might argue makes any improvement to the movement unnoticeable unless the case back is opened up.
The Murakumo
The V38 with its engraved mini rotor.
The Murakumo
The V38 with its engraved mini rotor.
I may be missing something, but I don't see any modifications in the Kikuchi Nakagawa picture.
The movement in the Murakumo seems to be 5401/H,M (https://catalogue.vauchermanufacture.ch/en/movement/seed-vmf-5401-hm/)
While the V38 uses 5401/32 (https://catalogue.vauchermanufacture.ch/en/movement/seed-vmf-5401-32/)
Different decoration between the movement versions (as well as different lighting in the two pictures!) but the 5401/32 is actually the slightly more upscale one, with more sophisticated bridges including some internal angles.
Mr. Laine is able to do a gold plating on the movement, so that is something.
Also, the rotor can be custom engraved.
I think we have to distinguish the difference between laser engraving and free hand engraving to be totally transparent. Had a discussion about this with a few others and it is not the same although I find his work super awesome 👍💪💥🔥
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That's fair! My fault for not being clear!
The finishing on the standard movement may not be up to high standards, but excellent for the price.
The finish on the Vaucher seems high end, though. I would appreciate your take on the Vaucher's finishing, please.
The finish on the Vaucher seems high end, though. I would appreciate your take on the Vaucher's finishing, please.
Good enough for me!
Maybe I am easily pleased but the finishing on the Vaucher movements is very good for a watch at this price range.
Agreed on the value proposition of this piece and the Vaucher caliber is indeed a great one in this price range 👍
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Agreed on both counts. Although the laser engraving is uber cool on the Unitas movements, the hand finishing is average. The hand finishing on the Vaucher caliber is of a higher standard for sure and the laser engraved micro rotor is a cool personal touch
I just want others to not confuse laser engraving for free and engraving as they are COMPLETELY different in nature and skill 😉👍