Haldimann H1 Central Tourbillon Encounter

The last Basel show was an opportunity for me to finally see (and touch) a watch I had admired for years here. This is a watch that will remain out of my reach, but not out of my dreams.

Like certainly many of you I didn't even need to understand Dr Thomas Mao's love for this watch to be captivated by its beauty (although it added even more to the magic of the watch).

I've had several opportunities to handle the Omega Central Tourbillon and each time loved it, but the Haldimann H1 is way beyond that.

Haldimann H1

The pure and simple design (I feel I write these words nearly each time I write about a watch I love) of the watch case and dial is nicely enhancing the "heart" of the piece, the central tourbillon.

The size of the tourbillon cage is huge and the balance is 14.14mm large, in a 31.58mm calibre! If you love balances it's hard to find larger, specially in a 39mm watch.

But this watch is not just a large balance, it's a calibre where the maximum space is given to precision through a very inventive layout of organs.

The impressive view to a mesmerizing tourbillon is permitted only thanks to the specific construction made around this tourbillon cage. The linking between the escapement and the three barrels is specifically thought.

You will have to look for it! 

Every detail in this watch calibre is in fact astonishing. Can you imagine that this calibre is 3.7mm thick while the tourbillon carriage is on top of the barrels?

You've understood that this watch is different, while it doesn't try to show it!

The central flying tourbillon

I can tell you that the breathing of this watch on the wrist is really captivating. The 2.5 Hz regulator is appeasing and hypnotizing, the balance is like asking to quietly bounce out of the watch.

In fact you could wonder if it's not your body that is emerging through the watch. Amazing experience!

An hypnotizing watch on the wrist

As written the design is simple and pure, but perfectly executed in the very last detail. The buckle for instance is like obvious, coherent, perfectly consistent with the watch.

Beautiful buckle

The central point of the watch, the tourbillon carriage, appears like a tri-dimensional sculpture to the glory of watchmaking.

This watch is somewhat there to remind what a watch is intended for.

A sculpture

I had also the opportunity to handle the Haldimann H2, another craziness brought to the next level, if possible !

I've so long dreamt of the H1 that I confess I didn't appreciate the H2 as much as it would deserve, so I'll have to go back and look again! 

The H2 adds the resonance to the strong power of the H1 design. The visual effect is quite different but similarly appealing.

Haldimann H2 Resonance

To some extent the second "H" opus should remind us, or bring us into the world of invention of Beat Haldimann, into the world of Haldimann clocks.

In fact I didn't only handle the H1 and H2 at Basel, I also met Ursula and Beat Haldimann. The pleasing time spent together discussing about Beat Haldimann's machines was another reason to dream even more about these. The following reading I made about his clocks was a surprise as I had no idea of his clocks' existence. His double regulator clocks also use the resonance principle and brings it to the level of his "Haldimann completely detached spring-impulse escapement" which is incorporating magnets (or was already ten years ago). Aren't magnets recently shown as new ways of regulating a watch?

Ursula and Beat Haldimann

This encounter was fascinating and I want to thank Mrs Ursula and Mr Beat Haldimann for their work and passion, for the time we spent at Basel. I hope to have an opportunity someday to go deeper into knowledge and understanding of his mechanics and specially his clocks.

Fascinating reading

I hope you enjoyed this superficial insight into a very deep philosophy of watchmaking. If so it will be a motivation for me to further explore someday.

Cheers

Dje