Vaucher Fleurier Caliber Vmf 5401 Carl Suchy

Vaucher Fleurier Caliber SEED VMF 5401

Vaucher Fleurier Caliber Seed Vmf 5401

Caliber Manufacturer Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier S.A.
Caliber Number SEED VMH 5401
Movement Type Automatic
Jewels 29
Vibrations Per Hour
21,600 bph
Power Reserve 50 hours
Diameter 13 1/4”’ (30mm)
Thickness 2.6mm
Number of components 160-250 (depending on variation)
Balance
Variable inertia with gold inertia blocks
Balance Spring Flat
Winding Direction Clockwise
Rotor Type Micro with ceramic ball bearings
Crown Location 3:00
Functions Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6:00
Country of Manufacture Switzerland
Known Models Carl Suchy & Söhne Waltz N°1

This caliber SEED VHM 5401 is a high-end ebauche manufactured by Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier S.A., a high-end private label movement company based in Fleurier, Switzerland. Every movement made by Vaucher Fleurier is 100% Swiss made.

Ultra Thin

The SEED VMF 5401 is an ultra thin movement at only 2.6mm. To achieve this, it makes use of micro-rotor technology.

Private Labeling

Vaucher Fleurier specializes in private label movements made-to-order. In an brief interview with the manufacturer, they said:

“We offer all our calibers to third parties from 10 or 25 units depending on the caliber. From 150-250 units depending on the caliber it is possible to get deeper personalization such as the bridges.”

Basically that means they can handle full customization of the rotor with a minimum order of 10-25 pieces. Full customization and hand-finishing of the bridges for a minimum of 150-250 pieces per order. They can even go as far as adding additional complications for your project.

Watch companies using this movement can technically rename the caliber to their liking or own branding.

Variations

At the time of this post, there are six variations of the SEED VHM 5401 including:

  • SEED VMF 5401 H,M (hours/minutes)
  • SEED VMF 5401 H,M/S6H (hours/minutes/small seconds at 6:00)
  • SEED VMF 5401/180 (skeleton)
  • SEED VMF 5401/190 (skeleton with moon phase)
  • SEED VMF 5401/40 (hours/minutes/big date at 12)
  • SEED VMF 5401/50 (perpetual calendar)

Does SEED have a special meaning?

We contacted Vaucher Fleurier to find out what “SEED” meant before each caliber number:

Yes, the seed as the core and the first step which helps a new brand to blossom. 😉

Carl Suchy & Söhne Waltz N°1

The photo below is of a caliber SEED VHM 5401 found in a Carl Suchy & Söhne Waltz N°1 timepiece. This version is a highly customized VMH 5401/H,M,S6H. Carl Suchy is the only luxury watch brand from Vienna with brand name that has history since 1822.

The extra-thin movement allows the watch to measure at only 9.3mm thick.

“Visible through a sapphire crystal case back, Waltz N°1 is equipped with an adjusted self-winding mechanical VMF 5401 movement by VAUCHER FLEURIER. It offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, and reliability. The extra-thin skeleton movement with gold-plated micro-rotor allows for the Waltz N°1’s slender form, light weight and great wearing comfort.” -Carl Suchy & Söhne

Carl Suchy has chosen not to rename the caliber to their own number, and in fact seem very proud to let the world know their movement was manufactured by Vaucher Fleurier.

Vaucher Fleurier Caliber Vmf 5401 Carl Suchy

Learn more at vauchermanufacture-catalogue.ch/en/movement/seed-vmf-5401-hm

You are reading Caliber Corner, the world's most popular resource for watch movement pics, specs, mods and DIY repairs. Follow @calibercorner on Twitter, Instagram but NOT Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube. Join our mission to spread movement awareness!

Join the discussion on Vaucher Fleurier Caliber SEED VMF 5401?

  • Keep comments respectful and follow our community guidelines.
  • Keep comments on the topic of Vaucher Fleurier Caliber SEED VMF 5401

For off topic or general watch questions, post in the Caliber Corner Forum.

guest

11 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Fabio
Fabio
6 years ago

This is beautiful! Would love to see a microbrand start using something like this. Tired of the same old Miyota and TMI watches on Kickstarter.

Mark
Mark
2 years ago
Reply to  Fabio

Kaine does. It’s stunning

Mark
Mark
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark

laine. Augotyp error. Laine

Peter
Peter
6 years ago

Can a mini rotor like that actually power a watch as well as a regular one?

harry
harry
4 years ago
Reply to  Peter

yes, back in the 1960’s Universal Geneve created movements with micro rotors, their Polerouter watches.

BERT McAuley
BERT McAuley
1 year ago

There’s now a LOBINNI 1888 made in China that does a small rotor. It looks nicely done. See it via AliExpress.

David Hunter
David Hunter
1 year ago

Like many people, I understand little about how a watch works. I focus on the name and the dial and the design. Watch movements, however, confound me. I wouldn’t know a great watch movement if it hit me in the face. Of course, Philippe Dufour’s praise of A. Lange & Sohne is noted. I would, however, like a watchmakers opinion of the Vaucher Fleurier VMF 5401 micro-rotor movement. For me, it doesn’t matter if a watch uses an in-house movement or not. I only care about quality. With a 48 power reserve, it seems that the 5401 is middle of… Read more »

Ian Buchanan
Ian Buchanan
4 months ago
Reply to  David Hunter

I’ve been a watchmaker for a number of years, regarding the value of this movement in particular you would have to consider the reasons for its development. Movements are developed to answer a number of perceived problems, some seek to improve accuracy, other developments are made to increase power reserve. In this case Vaucher sought to develop an automatic movement which was as thin as possible, as automatics are known to be quite bulky. Thin movements have long been regarded as a demonstration of watchmaking ability, and brands will pay a premium for them.

David Hunter
David Hunter
4 months ago
Reply to  Ian Buchanan

Thank you for your thoughts. Vaucher achieved their objective but how great overall do you think the watch movement is? Thank you.

Ian Buchanan
Ian Buchanan
4 months ago
Reply to  David Hunter

It’s a superb movement, Vaucher are an incredible Manufacture in my opinion. The finish and overall construction of this particular movement is a dream to work with although I’ve only seen a couple before myself and other than the VMF3002 they are only movements by Vaucher I’ve had a good look at. I’d love t get a hold of the chrono

WISer
WISer
1 year ago

Thank you for this post and your excellent work. I’m thinking about a watch with this movement but have one question..Can you feel the microrotor moving on this movement when you’re wearing it on the wrist?

Seagull Caliber St19

Join our mission to spread movement awareness!

Members Online

  • keepthetime

Recent Forum Posts

Sponsors

11
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x