BaselWorld: Beat Haldimann

BaselWorld 2013 : Beat Haldimann

Beat Haldimann was again present this year at BaselWorld in the independents tent known as the "Palace". Beat was showing his iconic H1 and the new H11 watch. Going from the central tourbillon above the dial of the H1 to the central balance wheel seen throught the back, the H11 is a reduction of complication, but without any reduction in the care.

As always Beats watches are made without resort to CNC using the best production technology of the '70s. Picking up the H11 one sees immediately the heritage of the watch. The H1 and the H11 both come from the same stall. While the H11 lacks the contrast of the almost flashy baroque tourbillon planted in the completely serine case, the shine of the H11 comes from the extreme understatement that it embodies. If it is possible for understatement to yell at full voice it is doing so in this watch.

This is a typical case of a watch that you need to hold in your hand, strap on your arm and let it talk to you. I was sceptical from the pictures, but convinced in person. I think that Beat has another winner.

But I'm biased the independant I prefer. Thanks for the photos Don, it will remain a dream for me that's another amazing watch from Haldimann. cheers Francois

The movement of H11 makes no horological sense to me

By: Goldenlutin : June 18th, 2013-14:08

There is something "wrong" for me about the H11. Why making a large movement with a tiny barrel and a relatively small balance wheel? When you look at the movement you just see empty space everywhere. All elements would fit in a much smaller movement. For...

You seems to know a lot... but I don't get your point

By: cisco : June 19th, 2013-06:04

Why do you want an extra large balance wheel? and a huge barrel? Are your considerations technical or aesthetical? You may have noticed that the balance is central so that you can not have huge barrel in the opposite side of the balance wheel like in old ...

well my point is...

By: Goldenlutin : June 19th, 2013-14:22

that it might be" funny" to have the balance wheel in the middle of the movement but the way it was done by BH just does not make sense because 3/4 of the movement are not used. It looks like if a small lady-size movement was put into a big movement. This...

Ok now I get it

By: cisco : June 20th, 2013-05:57

I understand your critic, it still doesn't bother me, I like it for what it is and what Don explained in the presentation, its ultimate simplicity. Moreover the movement is more simple than a tourbillon, an automatic one, or the LM1. Again, I do understan...

If you don't like it, don't buy it or try to change it ;) .....

By: WatchCollectorCB : June 20th, 2013-06:34

..... If you don't like the style of a watch or the technique in a watch, just don't try to change it and you don't have to buy it, because there are other brands. It's like with the cars, some like Audi, other VW or BMW. Some like Haldimann (as I do), ot...

It is neither about liking it or not.. nor personal taste

By: Goldenlutin : June 20th, 2013-13:16

I see what you mean but it's not about liking it or not as one cannot, obviously, argue about individual tastes. As watchmaking is still (or only) micro-mechanics at the end, there are technical solutions that can be objectively qualified as being better ...

Big Thumbs Up! [nt]

By: ArthurSG : June 20th, 2013-20:31

Nobody is supposed to applaud the 'heros' here...

By: Ornatus-Mundi : June 21st, 2013-01:32

but many people are just fans of certain brands... And remember, its always easier to criticise a comparatively anonymous large brand than an independent watchmaker. You have not choice than to criticise a real person with the latter. Back to the Beat Hal...

Totally agree Goldenlutin

By: moc : June 22nd, 2013-02:50

I appreciate and respect your point,you might like it or not but at least you took the time to explain your view,which is what this site is all about. Mo

In total (!) agreement

By: amerix : June 22nd, 2013-09:18

Let's take this concept one step further: My proposal is to have all the time-reading information on the dial extremely small in the middle, say a millimeter or less. You could have a loupe-lens built into the sapphire, or swung through an internal bezel,...

I think that...

By: WatchCollectorCB : June 21st, 2013-06:56

I think that it's Beat Haldimanns view of a watch "the reduction" and when this is his phylosophie of a watch, I don't think that its necessary to put in that watch case as much as possible. Every one got a different view of what a watch should look like ...

I really like the look and the technical innovation of this piece

By: LwC : June 27th, 2013-09:28

Thanks for posting these pictures, Don. Mr. Haldimann has again produced an original piece. That is, except for the purposeful similarity of the dial and hands to the antique "Haldimann" pocket watch, and IMO nicely implemented. I really like the simplici...

Independents