Horological Meandering: Vacation Wristshots
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Horological Meandering: Vacation Wristshots

By TeutonicCarFan · Mar 8, 2026 · 23 replies
TeutonicCarFan
WPS member · Horological Meandering forum
23 replies937 views9 photos
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TeutonicCarFan's recent vacation provided an unexpected opportunity to experience several highly sought-after timepieces firsthand. His candid impressions of the Montblanc Villeret Tourbillon Cylindrique Geosphères Vasco da Gama, the Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE, and various Gerald Charles models offer WatchProSite readers a unique perspective on these horological marvels. This article synthesizes community insights, adding depth to TeutonicCarFan's initial observations.

I was surprised to see this one, especially because limitation of 18 and not at a boutique. I love this watch. It’s slightly big and thick, but the aventurine blue dial and that beautiful tourbillon. Even the blue strap is just tops. Sorry for the rush photos (my case back photo was terrible as there was beautiful anglage and finishing). Who doesn’t love a suspended 14.5 mm balance wheel? The finishing is classic villeret. It was gorgeous 😍  I thought at one point we had one on here ?












The next watch, what can I say. It really has been on my mind. Normally I don’t think I’d like this black and rose gold, but it’s a freak! This freak one, again a little large for me, was wonderful. And gphg winner. 










Honestly - now I’m thinking of how this can fit in the collection. I do feel UN is not well represented , when I search social media all the photos are people trying it on. They sold off UN and GP a few years ago and I wonder how the future will go 🤷‍♂️

Finally I tried on a few Gerald Charles. Not sure how I feel. Initially an aventurine dial piece (no picture). I did like the stone dial, but not sure about the ‘smile’ on the bottom of the case. Nor the brand, which I haven’t really followed and am not sure is worth the 26k in steel.  If the bottom of the case was straight across like a the top, I’d like the aesthetics more. 

This ref was cool , jump hours, but was even bigger in size. IIRC 35k? Fun to see but not where I’ll spend my money 








Thanks for looking !
Kevin 

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The Discussion
S
S F
Mar 8, 2026

The MB is not a small watch, needs the size to hold large movement but again, you carry it well. Just one observation, the metal piece that separates the time sub dial and the tourby, is that really necessary?

TE
TeutonicCarFan
Mar 8, 2026

That metal piece with the script - remove it! Otherwise that watch is incredible. Having villeret pieces I adore the finishing. The UN does seem to fit for size on the wrist. Maybe smaller feeling because no crown. Black and RG does stand out. I wish it were Ti and not DLC coated Ti. They make a navy version with carbonium ? Bezel and that is different vibe, can’t say if I like better or worse. With this UN however I find it hard because I don’t think they sell many - not many sources on say str

SH
sham1
Mar 8, 2026

I ask as I had sold mine last year at an auction. It was number one. Lovely watch but it had to be returned twice to Villeret in my first six months of ownership so I decided to sell it.

TE
TeutonicCarFan
Mar 8, 2026

This watch was at an AD in Florida USA. I thought it was odd that they would even have one as they were and AD and not a boutique. He did say he just sold an unveiled secret so maybe those do make it out from the boutiques. Now that I was thinking about it, I was trying on watches and we began talking villeret, and he showed me this. I didn't think to ask if it was new or not, but on recollection there were no tags on it. Sadly I was in a rush for dinner plans and just took a sloppy picture of t

AL
als1678
Mar 8, 2026

The Montblanc tourbillon is mesmerizing in action, but beyond the size the case feels dated and unrefined. Also the finishing on the back side doesn't compare favorably to earlier pices like your chronograph ... Could be great with some updates, alas unlikely to happen.

SH
sham1
Mar 8, 2026

I was wondering where my watch finally ended up at so I hope it has gone to a collector rather than to a shop. These watches even though they were produced in small numbers never sold well. I was surprised that three years after its launch, I was able to secure number one which makes me wonder if the other seventeen pieces had been sold. A great watch to ogle at ............when it is working!

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