Although Vicenterra is not a new name on the indie watch scene, it remains somewhat under the radar. Behind this brand is Vincent Plomb, a watchmaker with a clear astronomical inclination who has always offered his watches through subscription campaigns, a concept invented over 200 years ago by Abraham-Louis Breguet with his Souscription watches. Despite Vincent Plomb's low profile, he is a well-known figure among the highly experienced watch enthusiast community, and his creations are far from earthly. The new AstroLUNA model once again turns its gaze to space and focuses on the Moon. In the AstroLUNA model by Vicenterra, the independent watchmaker presents a work of micromechanical poetry with a three-dimensional Moon (a signature element) that will only require a one-day correction every 126 years.
The history of Vicenterra began over 10 years ago when Vincent Plomb introduced his first GMT-3 watches. The 3D planets used to create the display have become the brand's hallmark. Since then, Plomb has created numerous watches featuring an off-center display that balances the presence of 3D satellites and planets, micromechanical creations with a lunar, slightly magical poetry.
The latest creation by Plomb is the Vicenterra AstroLUNA watch. Thanks to its unique shape and display, the watch adds the beauty of the Moon to the celestial landscape. Viewing the Earth from above, with a three-dimensional image of our planet, has been a hallmark of Vicenterra watches since their founding in 2010. In these new watches, both the Earth and the Moon can be admired as they rotate in tune with their independent rhythms.
Let's talk about this display. The chronometric functions of the Vicenterra AstroLUNA watch are displayed on a dark blue aventurine glass dial. Slightly offset from the '12 o'clock' position, the hours, minutes, seconds, and date are displayed against the shimmering aventurine glass. Moreover, the lower part of the dial is dedicated to two astronomical complications.
The Earth, a distinctive complication of the brand, is represented by a 3D globe, hand-painted by a miniaturist, with dark blue areas for the oceans and lighter surfaces for the continents.
Above the globe is a small sun made of pure gold, representing the zenith, as well as sapphire markers for 6 AM and 6 PM. As the globe rotates on its axis, you can instantly determine where on Earth it is night, where it is noon, and where it is 6 o'clock (AM and PM), turning the watch into a realistic day and night indicator.
The rotating three-dimensional sphere depicting the Moon is located at the '7 o'clock' position. Crafted with extraordinary realism, it is covered with miniature craters, painted by the same miniaturist artist. At night, the illuminated face of the Moon shines thanks to the Super-LumiNova coating. The sphere completes one rotation in 29.53125 days, which means it requires a one-day adjustment every 126 years.
The Vicenterra AstroLUNA watch will be available in a classic 41.50 mm case with a traditional shape and a 43.50 mm case with a more complex profile. Both options are made of grade 5 titanium with polished and satin-finished surfaces. The crown is located at the '2 o'clock' position, and the watch is water-resistant to 50 meters. The watch is worn on a blue calf leather strap - optionally from alligator leather - with a titanium and steel folding clasp.
The watch is equipped with an automatic base movement manufactured by Vaucher. This movement, used for traditional indications (GMT and date) and to power the complications, is visible through the sapphire case back and showcases exquisite decorative flourishes. It is framed by a module of aventurine glass with cutouts for the two 3D globes. These two indicators are driven by a module developed in-house by Vincent Plomb. All parts are carefully finished with beveled edges, graining, colimaçonnage, and other techniques.
The Vicenterra AstroLUNA watch will be released in a limited edition of 99 pieces. The watches are available through a subscription campaign at a price of 13,500 Swiss francs (excluding taxes). Additionally, a deposit of 3,000 Swiss francs is required for pre-order. Furthermore, for each watch ordered before June 30, 2021, a rotor made of solid 18-carat yellow gold will be added.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – VICENTERRA ASTROLUNA
Case: diameter 41.50 mm or 43.50 mm x height 13.50 mm - grade 5 titanium case, 49 components - polished and satin-finished - crown at '2 o'clock' - box sapphire crystal - sapphire case back - water resistance 50 meters
Dial/Display: dark blue aventurine glass - applied white gold hour markers - 7.50 mm titanium Earth globe, 6.80 mm titanium Moon globe (hemisphere, covered with Super-LumiNova BGW9, lunar surface hand-painted) - hour and minute hands, curved, polished and rhodium-plated, with white BGW9 Super-LumiNova coating
Movement: base caliber Vaucher, automatic Fleurier Seed 3000 - 23.30 mm x 3.9 mm - power reserve 50 h, frequency 4 Hz, 28 jewels - in-house Vicenterra module, 109 components, 10 jewels - traditional decoration, including anglage, circular graining, sunburst colimaçonnage
Strap: blue calfskin leather, alligator - lug width 22 mm, clasp width 20 mm - folding clasp in grade 5 titanium
Availability: 99 numbered pieces with subscription campaign - available for pre-order on the brand's website
Price: 13,500 Swiss francs (excluding taxes). A deposit of 3,000 Swiss francs upon order.
