Leaunoir are a French based watch manufacturer looking to combine Italian leather straps, Swiss movements and a certain traditional Gallic flair. Their latest project on Kickstarter is the Neptune Calendar model, which reminds us of vintage pocket watches of the 50s and 60s.

With a large winding crown and bold white numbers set on plain, almost utilitarian coloured dial plates, these have that Elgin or Ingersoll look about them. Sapphire crystal, elegant, long thin second hand, and rustic leather straps finish off the trad look.

Here’s the word from Leaunoir;

The Leaunoir range is based on the “Neptune Calendar” model, a tribute to modern and daring explorers. Our watch will be available in seven different colors (you will be asked to choose the configuration at the end of the Kickstarter campaign):

The “Deep Blue” version has a matt blue dial marked with 4 luminescent points referenced C1 Swiss SuperLuminova®. The figures and the railway are painted off-white. A domed anti-scratch sapphire crystal covers the three steel hands.

The movement? This offers excellent accuracy and reliability specific to Swiss Made. The STP 1-11 operates at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and benefits from a 44-hour power reserve. Our watchmaking experts review, test and adjust each movement during the assembly phase to optimize their accuracy, thus approaching COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) standards.

The design of the case provides a reinterpretation of the pocket watch from the 20s reworked in a raw version with its puck shape.

The back of the case is screwed with six screws and completed with a sapphire crystal leaving our Swiss movement apparent. In profile, you can admire the domed sapphire glass rise in height and soften the whole in a subtle way. The dimensions are designed to promote elegance: 38mm in diameter for a thickness of 10.92mm (including glass). The weight of the Neptune Calendar testifies to its quality: 60g.

The dials evoke the 1950s watch. They give the Neptune Calendar this unique character, its anchoring in memory. Each dial is matt with a double thickness painted encryption, to give relief. It is made up of two dauphine hands tapered by a central edge, a second hand and a date window at 3 o’clock. It is marked by 4 luminescent points C1 Swiss SuperLuminova® at 12h, 3h, 6h and 9h.

The price is £442, based on an early bird pledge via Kickstarter, or £469 for a luxury leather strap edition – more info here.