The Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon in Rose Gold: A Masterpiece of Independent Watchmaking
The world of independent watchmaking is a realm of creativity and innovation, and Vanguart is a brand that embodies this spirit. Founded by a talented group of individuals, including APRP alumni Axel Leuenberger and Jérémy Freléchox, designer Thierry Fischer, and F1 insider Mehmet Korutürk, Vanguart made its mark with the groundbreaking Black Hole Tourbillon in 2021. This watch introduced a unique concept, blending art and technology with a levitating flying tourbillon, automaton discs that manipulate time, and a joystick-style time-setting system.
Since its debut, Vanguart has continued to push boundaries with the Black Hole collection, expanding it with two new references: the Black Hole Arabic Numerals in titanium and the Black Hole Rose Gold. The latter is the focus of this article, offering a detailed exploration of its exquisite design and technical prowess.
The Black Hole Rose Gold showcases an evolved case design, seamlessly fusing the case and movement into a single, flowing volume. Measuring 45mm diagonally, it wears closer to a 42mm watch on the wrist due to its lugless design and integrated strap. The thickness of 15.75mm is substantial but aligns with the high-concept nature of the tourbillon it houses.
In contrast, the Black Hole Arabic Numerals case is crafted from grade 5 titanium, resulting in a lightweight 80-gram design. The exoskeleton features microblasted surfaces with polished bevels, while the central body, or 'fuselage', is also microblasted, creating a stealthy and technical aesthetic. The joystick crowns and flowing openings further emphasize the hollowed-out, gravitational shell concept.
The Black Hole Rose Gold edition takes a different approach, using solid rose gold for its case, tipping the scales at 173 grams. The exoskeleton remains microblasted with polished bevels, but the central fuselage is fully polished, adding a touch of luxury. Both models maintain the fully integrated architecture that made the original Black Hole so captivating.
The dial of the Black Hole Rose Gold is an extension of the movement, featuring a grade 5 titanium anthracite PVD construction with concentric, concave discs radiating from the levitating tourbillon. This three-tier automaton display rotates to create a linear, semi-instantaneous time indication, controlled by the joystick system. The Black Hole Arabic Numerals uses Eastern Arabic symbols, while the Rose Gold edition adheres to Western-style markers.
At the heart of the Black Hole Rose Gold lies the same flying tourbillon calibre that defined the original Black Hole. Built from 775 components, it combines a levitating flying tourbillon, a concentric three-tier automaton dial, and a linear time display. A dual-barrel, grande sonnerie-inspired design separates timekeeping from display, and a high-precision joystick with forward and reverse indication is used for time-setting. A vertical power reserve gauge provides a quick visual read of the 42-hour 'useful' reserve.
The mainplate and bridges are crafted from grade 5 titanium, microblasted with satin-finished and block-polished surfaces, and extensively hand-bevelled. The Black Hole Rose Gold version adds gold PVD to the titanium movement components, infusing warmth into the calibre.
Both the Black Hole Arabic Numerals and Rose Gold models are limited to 8 pieces each. The Arabic Numerals edition is priced at CHF 355,000, while the Black Hole Rose Gold retails for CHF 410,000. For more information, visit vanguart.com.
Technical specifications for the Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon:
- Case: 45mm diagonal x 15.75mm height
- Materials: Grade 5 titanium (Black Hole Arabic) or 18k rose gold (Black Hole Rose Gold)
- Exoskeleton: Microblasted with polished bevels
- Fuselage: Microblasted for titanium, polished for rose gold
- Dial: Concentric 3-tier automaton dial in grade 5 titanium with anthracite PVD, hand-painted indications, levitating flying tourbillon, linear time display, vertical power reserve gauge, Eastern or Western Arabic numerals
- Movement: Proprietary calibre T-1701, hand-wound, 775 components, mainplate and bridges in grade 5 titanium, 3Hz flying tourbillon, 42-hour power reserve
- Strap: Rubber strap with pin buckle
- Availability: Limited edition of 8 pieces per version
- Price: CHF 355,000 for Black Hole Arabic, CHF 410,000 for Black Hole Rose Gold
Vanguart's Black Hole Tourbillon in Rose Gold is a testament to the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking, offering a unique blend of art, technology, and craftsmanship that will undoubtedly captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike.
