Laventure introduced the Transatlantique II GMT in June of this year. Since then, the steel, steel and gold brown versions have already sold out. These models were limited to 99 and 50 pieces, respectively. The steel black and green versions are limited only by the brand’s production capacity. This is perhaps the first time that one of Laventure’s watches is still available so long after its release. So it’s time to try it out and see how it will be in real life and on your wrist.
The above shows that Laventure has managed to keep the hype surrounding its release extremely high since its first Kickstarter campaign in 2017. If you want to buy a Clement Gault watch for yourself, you better hurry. This is also because the quantities of these limited editions are usually very small. I’m happy to finally have this brand’s watch in my office and give it a proper review. Let’s take a look at what all the fuss is about and see why Laventure has so many fans.
My practical experience begins with a beautiful watch box and all its accessories. I take inspiration from old encyclopedias and travel books. The green cover with gold artwork matches the colors of Transatlantique II very well. The watch face and bezel are the first thing you see through a small peephole when you open the cover. Under a separate cover are additional rubber straps, a sizing tool, a booklet, a pouch, stickers, a spring bar tool, and a COSC certificate. Let’s just say it’s a very complete set, especially if you opt for the additional straps.
Sophisticated watches and designs inspired by vintage
But let’s not get too distracted and go directly to Laventure Transatlantique II GMT itself. To be honest, the reaction within the company was mixed. When I took the watch out of the box, it immediately moved from wrist to wrist. This happens with most watches on the market and is a great way to measure the ambient “temperature” of a room.
We were all impressed with the level of finish and perfection on both the case and bracelet. The transition from brushed to polished facets is sharp and the tolerances between links are perfect. The 24-click operation of the bidirectional bezel is also very satisfying. There’s almost no sound when you turn it, so it’s like it’s muted. The behavior of the bezel can give a cheap feeling to a particular watch. In this case, exactly the opposite happens.
The printing on the bezel will be clearer on mass-produced models.
Now let’s move on to the exterior of Transatlantique II. This is where opinions began to diverge. We all agreed that this was a well thought out design, but also a very vintage inspired design. Some of us are a little tired of this concept, but others still appreciate this great example. In fact, in the Transatlantique II you’ll find many hallmarks of iconic watches from the past. But like my Celica 5303-3, when you put them together you get an overall consistent and attractive design. But enough about my first impressions of the team. Let’s move on to my experience with this watch.
perfect for bracelets
The watch arrived in a box with a matching dark green rubber strap and a light green and light brown rubber strap. These custom straps feel well made and are the perfect complement to the Tranatlantique II case. It’s thicker, but thankfully still very flexible. My favorite is the sage green one that matches the daytime portion of the 24-hour bezel. However, like many bracelet-integrated watches, I think this watch works best on a bracelet. Similar to the strap, the first center link is attached to the case with a non-quick release spring bar. This isn’t too much of an issue thanks to the drilled lug holes, which fit this tool watch very well.
The bracelet links are even thinner than the 4mm mid-case. It’s 2.5mm thick and fits snugly on your wrist. The taper of the bracelet from approximately 24mm to 16mm is dramatic but fits the overall aesthetic. Like many butterfly clasps, this clasp does not have a fine adjustment position. It also has an overlapping Laventure logo. This means that one side must be closed before the other. I know it’s annoying, but the logo looks nice and the push buttons work as expected.
Streamlined UFO on the wrist
As for the watch itself, when I actually saw it, I was surprised at how thin it was, or how it looked. Including the so-called “superdome” acrylic crystal, the watch is 12 mm thick, but without it, it’s just 8.9 mm thick. This is incredibly thin for a GMT tool watch like the Transatlantic II. I also really like how it looks from the side. The thin mid-case has a streamlined appearance, and the wings at 3 and 6 o’clock give it an airplane-like impression. The bezel then widens a bit and the domed crystal at the top transforms the whole thing into a nicely styled UFO.
Transatlantique II GMT on Jorg’s 18.5cm wrist
The streamlined design may also be the reason why it fits my 17cm wrist so well. Well, the new case diameter of 38.9mm and length of 46.2mm might also help quite a bit. Overall, it feels very balanced and solid on the wrist. What caught my attention was the large 8mm crown. Its diameter is the same as the thickness of the midcase and bezel combined. There’s a little protrusion on the bottom of the case so it always touches your wrist.
When I asked Clement about it, he found out that he had a reason for such a great crown. First, he said he simply likes the way it looks. Second, it makes the crown easier to handle with your fingers, and finally, the internal structure of the crown ensures that the watch is water-resistant to 200 meters. These internal structures take up a lot of space, so a small diameter will not suit such a thick crown. As he assured me, the wrist didn’t bother me much, but only when the watch moved up and down my wrist when I was moving around. I thought I should know about that, but other than that, this is a very comfortable watch.
really attractive person
Perhaps the most noticeable thing about the Transatlantique II and many other Laventure references is the bold dial and bezel design. The color combination of forest green and sage green is innovative and looks very attractive to me. The rounded font on the bezel is reminiscent of old Rolex GMT-Master references, as are the large hour markers on the sandwich-style dial. They all have a creamy patina-like hue and a fair amount of lume. This baby certainly shines brightly even in dark situations.
A surprising design choice is the matte black hue of the dial. Previous Transatlantic models offered a choice of either a contrasting cream dial or a matching dark green dial. I have to say I like the matte black dial. Because without opting for a very bright cream dial, the bezel stands out a little more than before. The domed plexi on the top looks clearer and has a more solid sound and feel than the one on my Omega Speedmaster Professional. Sure, it might show some wear over time, but I think it suits the watch and I don’t think it would be that difficult to polish the scratches or just replace the crystal anyway. Not.
The overall design has a vintage feel. But if that’s your thing, we think the Laventure Transatlantique II is one of the best and most attractive options out there.
Because you’re worth it
Now, we know that the Laventure Transatlantique II GMT is a well-made watch and its design will not disappoint in real life. But apart from that, I feel there is a problem with this room, and that is the price. If I were to buy this watch (CHF 4,200), I would also add an additional sage green rubber strap (CHF 140), another pin buckle (CHF 90), and of course the bracelet (CHF 450). Including shipping (CHF 160), the price for all this comes to CHF 5,080 excluding VAT. In my case, after applying 21% VAT, the price comes to just under CHF 6,150. That’s serious money.
got it. The Laventure Transatlantique II GMT is equipped with the highly improved Sellita SW330-2 Kohler GMT movement. However, there are other watches on the market with unmodified SW330 movements that cost a quarter of the price. That’s a big difference. But I know it’s no use looking at the watch and debating whether it’s worth the money. If a watch makes you happy and you can afford it, buy it.
After using the Laventure Transatlantique II GMT, you can imagine that this watch will make you really happy. I also finally understand why there are so many Laventure fans out there who are willing to pay this price for such an original, well-crafted, rare, and good-looking watch.
It’s not for me, but
But now I also know that it’s not for me. The vintage feel is a little too “on the nose” for my taste. Additionally, at this price point, you would expect things like a Flyer GMT movement, a color-matched date disc, and fine-tuning options on the bracelet. Perhaps those are potential updates, and I’ll definitely be following what Clément does next with Laventure.
I’d love to see his take on a similar type of watch without the heavy vintage feel. I prefer the Laventure Marine II with its solid gold dial as it has a more modern look. But seeing how successful the brand is with its current strategy, it’s easy to see why it’s going to continue riding the wave a little longer.
As mentioned above, if you’re interested in picking up the Transatlantique II GMT in stainless steel, black, and green, Laventure still has it in stock.
Let us know what you think about the Laventure Transatlantique II GMT in the comments section below.
