Benjamin Chamfeuil is a French industrial designer and entrepreneur known for founding Vasco Watch, an independent horological brand based in Bordeaux. With a background in industrial design, Chamfeuil established Vasco in 2015 with the goal of creating timepieces that offer a unique perspective on time. The brand name was inspired by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, reflecting a spirit of discovery and maritime history.
Under Chamfeuil’s leadership, Vasco has specialized in the 24-hour watch, a complication historically utilized by submariners and astronauts who, deprived of natural sunlight, required a clear distinction between day and night. Chamfeuil adapted this functional tool into a lifestyle concept he describes as Slow Time, encouraging wearers to appreciate the passage of time through a dial where the hour hand completes only one full revolution per day.
Chamfeuil successfully utilized crowdfunding platforms to launch the brand, with his initial Kickstarter campaigns receiving significant international support. He has maintained a commitment to French assembly, primarily working with workshops in Besançon, a historic center for French watchmaking. His design philosophy is heavily influenced by the Bauhaus movement, characterized by minimalism and functionalism.
Beyond his work with Vasco, Chamfeuil is a collaborative figure in the microbrand community. In recent years, he co-founded the watch brand Balmont alongside other industry veterans, including Ludovic Barrois. This venture focuses on creating versatile sports watches, further expanding Chamfeuil’s influence in the independent French watch market. His career is marked by a focus on transparency, accessible pricing, and the preservation of French horological craftsmanship.