Mike H offers an exclusive glimpse into the extraordinary atelier of independent watchmaker Vianney Halter in Sainte-Croix. This article goes beyond a typical workshop tour, revealing a treasure trove of horological history alongside Halter's iconic creations. Mike H's detailed account and accompanying photographs provide a rare opportunity to appreciate the unique environment that fosters such innovative timepieces.
Obviously I could not be on holiday near Pontarlier without visiting Vianney Halter in his workshop.
His workshop is actually much more than a watchmaker’s workshop, it is a real Ali Baba’s cave full of treasures. There are incredible church old clock movements and so much more... really fascinating 😳
But of course there is always beautiful watches to be seen also even if none of them is actually available (the ones I could see are either sold and ready to be shipped, or only temporary present for service...).
The Antiqua was his first creation launched in 1998, an amazing piece inspired by Jules Vernes and H.G. Wells designed as an embodiment of the spirit of the marine chronometers. The informations of this original perpetual calendar are split between 4 riveted portholes...
In 2013 Vianney Halter presented his latest timekeeping device, the Deep Space Tourbillon with a huge central 3 axis tourbillon surrounded by the display of time under an amazing sapphire dome...
In 2018 came the stunning Anniversary model for celebrating the 20 years of the brand. It is a tribute to the earlier Classic, a porthole offering a glimpse into Vianney’s watchmaker’s world...
At the occasion of this visit I could discover an interesting module, most probably a work in progress movement on which Vianney is working. I could not identify clearly the details but my strong feeling is that it could give us a clue about his next creation. Maybe a resonance movement ?... We’ll have to wait to know more 😉
