The New Laventure Marine Type 3 is a Proper Tool Watch

Founded in 2017, Laventure is the project of a man named Clément Gaud. Despite achieving a degree of fame over the years, it is still a one-man show. Focused on genuine Swiss-made watches with an undeniable vintage flair and made for adventure (hence the name), Laventure has produced several watches under the Marine and Sous-Marine range. But while all of Gaud’s previous creations had a touch of “integrated design” flair and a retro character, the brand’s latest model changes the rules. Radical, almost brutalist, worthy of the “tool watch” name, inspired by 1980s marine chronometers and using high-quality materials and components (like always), the new Laventure Marine Type 3 is not meant to be elegant. It’s a proper instrument, and that makes it cool. 

The origins of the adventure of Laventure (I know… lame) started on Kickstarter with the Marine collection, a watch that defined the brand for almost a decade now. Even though it was the brand’s inaugural model, it set the tone with its design and features, such as a case reminiscent of the 1970s, with its round, raised bezel and a lugless, tonneau-shaped middle case. The dial, with its sandwich construction and oversized lumed markers, also became a signature design found in subsequent models, such as the Sous-Marine, the Transatlantic GMT, or the Marine II. All of them shared more or less the same base, with variants in the functions and bezels. However, the Laventure Marine Type 3 that just launched is about to redefine the concept.

Even though they are classified as sports/tool watches, all previous Laventure watches had a degree of elegance and an upscale feel. Almost refined, with a strong vintage flair. With the Marine Type 3, Clément Gaud pushes the concept of an “instrument for the wrist” to the max with something brutal, radical, which can be seen as a piece of gear designed to accomplish a mission. That said, the Marine Type 3 doesn’t entirely deny its origins. A closer look at the case, or at least the middle case, reveals a shape that’s identical to previous models, with a lugless, tonneau-shaped container flanked by two lateral “ears” – one acting as a bumper, the other as a crown guard.

But what dominates this new Laventure is the bezel. The dial/bezel ratio is on the opposite side of the norm, with an oversized bezel framing a small dial aperture. The fixed bezel is inspired by 1980s marine chronometers, which were “technical precision instruments with dials, numerals and graduations of pure graphic design and exemplary legibility,” according to Gaud. The 60 engraved and lacquer-filled graduations work in conjunction with the seconds hand for optimum legibility. Another testament to ruggedness, the case is crafted entirely (mid-case, back, crown, bezel) from grade 23 titanium – the same alloy used by Blancpain – offering lightness and a purer composition than grade 5. It offers superior mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, fatigue strength, and hardness as well.

The case dimensions are fairly compact, even though it has true visual presence (mostly due to the wide bezel). It measures 38mm in diameter, 46.2mm in length and is reasonably thin at 11.2mm in including the crystal. A tribofinishing (stonewashing) is performed on the titanium components. Not only does it give a cool worn effect, but it also softens sharp edges, improves surface finish, increases surface hardness, durability, corrosion resistance and wear resistance. And let’s not neglect the solid water-resistance of 300m, thanks to a screw-down crown and screwed solid caseback. A nice detail is how the dial is protected by a chimney-like Plexiglas instead of a sapphire crystal, which the brand has been using since 2019. Why? First, because of the undeniable charm and warmth; second, for its suppleness and flexibility, making it more resistant to impact; and last, for its local (Swiss) production.

The Laventure Marine Type 3 is offered in two dial variants, mirror images of each other. The dial, very small in diameter to accentuate the spirit of a dashboard chronometer and the tool watch effect, is not of the classic sandwich construction, but is nevertheless built with two layers. The lower plate, not visible, is made of soft iron. This, together with the encircling ring and non-magnetic cover of the movement, creates an anti-magnetic Faraday cage. The visible upper plate is either galvanically black, with all the pad printing (logo, numerals and graduations) and the hands in white photoluminescent Super-LumiNova.

The white edition has a secret that is only revealed at night. Indeed, the upper, visible white plate is moulded in Super-LumiNova and ceramic-based resin, making the dial entirely photoluminescent. All elements printed on the dial are black, and the same process is used for the hands, creating shadow images at night. Pretty cool, even though I have a preference for the brutal look of the black dial, even more relevant in this context. But that’s just me.

Inside the case of the Marine Type 3 is the calibre 4, a movement sourced from Sellita and based on the architecture of the SW300-1, itself an alternative to the thin ETA 2892. The specifications are classic: 4Hz frequency, 56h power reserve and stop seconds. However, despite the movement being hidden, Laventure opted for a high-end design. The plate, bridges, and rotor are all coated in 3N gold, and specific decorations have been applied, such as thin Geneva stripes, perlage, or circular graining. Additionally, the movement is chronometer-certified by COSC (precision of -4/+6 seconds per day, meeting 7 of the 8 elimination criteria).

Contrary to recent models by Laventure, the Marine Type 3 isn’t offered on a metal bracelet – the cost of a full grade 23 titanium bracelet would be irrelevant. The watch, however, is delivered with two straps. First is a Swiss-made PFKM rubber strap available in 5 different colours, closed by a grade 23 titanium pin buckle. Second is a textile and elastic strap (again, 5 colours available), which, to me, is the most appropriate option in terms of both look and comfort.

Availability, Price and Thoughts

The Laventure Marine Type 3 is released as a limited run of 100 pieces per colour for 2025 – limitation explained by the production capacities of a one-man show. As for the price, it is set at CHF 4,200 excluding taxes. Yes, I know it feels quite high, but we have to consider several things. One, we’re talking about low-scale production and not something from mainstream brands, which benefit from economies of scale. Second, the overall quality of the watch is impressive. It is evident in the materials used, the quality of the components, or the assembly of the watch. Last, something rare enough to be mentioned, the Laventure Marine Type 3 is a true Swiss-made watch, with 100% of the components produced in Switzerland, including things that are normally sourced from “more exotic” places, such as the crystal, rubber strap or pin buckle.

The Marine Type 3 caught me by surprise. While some try to add charm with adornments, this watch does the total opposite. Its brutalist, ultra-focused approach, its genuine tool watch design and feel on the wrist are the main reasons why it’s cool. For more details, please visit laventure.swiss.