Independent watchmaking has been thriving, with a variety of intriguing new designs available to discerning enthusiasts. Amidst this abundance, however, some unique pieces may get lost in the crowd. This makes the discovery of artisanal creations like ‘Volumes’ by Simon LeFrancois in Bretagne, France, all the more exciting.
LeFrancois is not a newcomer to the world of horology. After a quarter-decade of working under other brands, he carved his own niche with the Automatique No.1, a time-only watch that quickly gained recognition and sold out on Instagram. His latest work, ‘Volumes’, is an even deeper dive into LeFrancois’ stylistic and mechanical wizardry.
‘Volumes’ strikes an impressionable balance between simplicity and sophistication, beholding a rectangular stainless steel case with a unique design accentuated by scalloped corners, sloping flanks, a central groove, and distinct lugs. These elements, alongside the sapphire crystal front and back, boldly uphold the watch’s artisanal narrative.
Birthdays, seasonal transitions, or simply making it through yet another week - there’s always a reason to admire a timepiece and celebrate the passage of time. Historically significant watches like the ‘Quartz Vacheron Constantin 222’, the ‘Corum Golden Bridge’, or the ‘Sonny Crockett 18k Ebel ref. 8134901’ are collectors’ delights, each with a tale to tell and an auction winner to please. However, three watches merit special attention.