The Sparc RX is designed by Paolo Fancelli and was introduced for model year 2005 with prices from 1950,- on a leather strap to 2350,- Euros. for the Limited Edition.
The case serials of the different versions are all numbered through and less than 1000 have been produced. The LTD (with antracite colour head) is made in 199 pieces.
The W12S is the version on an Durinox bracelet. It cost 2250,- and weighs in at 182 gram.
The head is 40 mm. wide at the crown, 14 mm. thick.
The 4 mm. thick, bracelet goes from 26 at the head to 20 at the deployable clasp.
The digital module is powered by an ´automatic´.
This VEN_99 movement is an in house development by Ventura in 1999 and was first used in the Sparc PX in 2000.
It is time only in 12H or 24H format and has a Date/Month screen.
No lighting.
When stationary for one hour, the display wil switch of into power save. The slightest movement will swing the rotor and instanty kick the module into life.
The power reserve is 2 months. If the watch is to be stored for longer it should be switched of to avoid draining of the accumulator. If this however should happen all is needed is to charge by wearing.
A very special feature is that the unit can be handwound too ánd kept on the boil on a traditional watchwinder. It is enganged to wind in the ´in´ position and disengages / goes to ´set´ mode when pulled.
Setting is done through the single crown by scrolling when pulled out.
Pull out and F(ast)F(orward) or FR(erverse) for H(our)F(orward) resp. HR, S(low)Forward or SR for M(inute)F resp. MR.
Albeit controlling less functions, it is the same what is called EasySkroll in the V-tec models.
The head can be rotated to adjust the angle of view.
power save mode
Totally unobtrusive easyscolling crown
´Automatic´ with véry clever coil sping on a ratched mechanism
4 mm. thick solid links in Durinox.
Driver´s watch
Seiko EPD, Ventura Sparc, Hamilton MiB II
In the Ventura.ch webshop the RX is currently for sale for 1490,- to 1750,- Euro; 1650,- for the W12S.
65 and 335 is for a replacement leather strap and durinox bracelet, meaning 110 Euros discount on the bracelet of the W12S
These prices are véry keen and a result of the unloading of the development/investment cost burden during the course of two bancruptcies.
The quality level is way, wáy beyond this price level. To find the same quality of manufacture and finish you will need to look in the >3k bracket of the Swiss competition; it is level with Omepanro.
- The quality of manufacture is wáy superior to the Seiko EPD. Taking the law of demishing retuns into account I consider it indeed reflected in the original RLP difference. At the present RLP the Ventura RX clearly wins the build quality/price.
- The visual impact and the feel of the design and quality is a hands down win for the Ventura.
- The display is, well; simplistic LCD versus 21st c. high tech and the Seiko is wáy superior.
- Solar versus automatic toping up of the accumulator would get on par notes from me. The power save of mechanical is more user friendly as it switches on as soon as you move the wrist and it also is a art pour l´art piece of technology BUT solar is solid state and só much more rugged.
- Concerning time keeping performance and functionality the modules are in a different league and the Seiko wins on al points.
The bottom line is the fundamentally different approach:
- The Seiko is a contemporary watch technology watch.
- The Ventura is contemporary functional art on the wrist.
As such both are in a class of their own.
Attaching equal weight on either, the two are about on par concerning value for money. That changes when you prefer either technology or design or when money ís an issue.
Missed the Hamilton? Well, that is its relative position :wink:
Oh, hre is anothe horlogic item Fancelli designed; the Wenger Evo series (this is the Bergeon Minathor)
The case serials of the different versions are all numbered through and less than 1000 have been produced. The LTD (with antracite colour head) is made in 199 pieces.
The W12S is the version on an Durinox bracelet. It cost 2250,- and weighs in at 182 gram.
The head is 40 mm. wide at the crown, 14 mm. thick.
The 4 mm. thick, bracelet goes from 26 at the head to 20 at the deployable clasp.
The digital module is powered by an ´automatic´.
This VEN_99 movement is an in house development by Ventura in 1999 and was first used in the Sparc PX in 2000.
It is time only in 12H or 24H format and has a Date/Month screen.
No lighting.
When stationary for one hour, the display wil switch of into power save. The slightest movement will swing the rotor and instanty kick the module into life.
The power reserve is 2 months. If the watch is to be stored for longer it should be switched of to avoid draining of the accumulator. If this however should happen all is needed is to charge by wearing.
A very special feature is that the unit can be handwound too ánd kept on the boil on a traditional watchwinder. It is enganged to wind in the ´in´ position and disengages / goes to ´set´ mode when pulled.
Setting is done through the single crown by scrolling when pulled out.
Pull out and F(ast)F(orward) or FR(erverse) for H(our)F(orward) resp. HR, S(low)Forward or SR for M(inute)F resp. MR.
Albeit controlling less functions, it is the same what is called EasySkroll in the V-tec models.
The head can be rotated to adjust the angle of view.
power save mode
Totally unobtrusive easyscolling crown
´Automatic´ with véry clever coil sping on a ratched mechanism
4 mm. thick solid links in Durinox.
Driver´s watch
Seiko EPD, Ventura Sparc, Hamilton MiB II
In the Ventura.ch webshop the RX is currently for sale for 1490,- to 1750,- Euro; 1650,- for the W12S.
65 and 335 is for a replacement leather strap and durinox bracelet, meaning 110 Euros discount on the bracelet of the W12S
These prices are véry keen and a result of the unloading of the development/investment cost burden during the course of two bancruptcies.
The quality level is way, wáy beyond this price level. To find the same quality of manufacture and finish you will need to look in the >3k bracket of the Swiss competition; it is level with Omepanro.
- The quality of manufacture is wáy superior to the Seiko EPD. Taking the law of demishing retuns into account I consider it indeed reflected in the original RLP difference. At the present RLP the Ventura RX clearly wins the build quality/price.
- The visual impact and the feel of the design and quality is a hands down win for the Ventura.
- The display is, well; simplistic LCD versus 21st c. high tech and the Seiko is wáy superior.
- Solar versus automatic toping up of the accumulator would get on par notes from me. The power save of mechanical is more user friendly as it switches on as soon as you move the wrist and it also is a art pour l´art piece of technology BUT solar is solid state and só much more rugged.
- Concerning time keeping performance and functionality the modules are in a different league and the Seiko wins on al points.
The bottom line is the fundamentally different approach:
- The Seiko is a contemporary watch technology watch.
- The Ventura is contemporary functional art on the wrist.
As such both are in a class of their own.
Attaching equal weight on either, the two are about on par concerning value for money. That changes when you prefer either technology or design or when money ís an issue.
Missed the Hamilton? Well, that is its relative position :wink:
Oh, hre is anothe horlogic item Fancelli designed; the Wenger Evo series (this is the Bergeon Minathor)
Last edited by Huertecilla on 21 May 2011, 19:55, edited 1 time in total.
´Design oder nicht sein´