Independents
Patrickmaniac offers a retrospective on the Vianney Halter Classic, 12 years after its launch, providing an owner's intimate perspective on this distinctive independent timepiece. This article explores the watch's unique design elements, movement variations, and the philosophy behind its creation, making it a valuable resource for enthusiasts of independent watchmaking.
It's been 12 years since Vianney Halter launched the Classic. The Classic derived it's styling from the successful Antiqua but it's simple 3 hander look hides the complexity involved to produce it.
In 2006, Vianney Halter announced the news to cease production of it so that he can concentrate on other projects. The work on Classic stopped in 2007 ending the last few orders. In the short span of 7 years, 250 were produced (36 Classic per year mathematically averaged out)
Combinations of Classic
Within these 250, there were 5 official versions ( info from VH website)
1) White gold case with yellow gold dials and rivets
2) Yellow gold case with white gold dials and rivets
3) White gold case with white gold dials and rivets
4) White gold case with red gold dials and rivets
5) Red gold case with white gold dials and rivets
Straps
Straps that accompanied the Classic ranged from the alligator or goat leather with a tang buckle matching the case.
Movement
The Classic uses the VH 100 and it is actually a Lemania 8810 and there were 2 versions used in the production. The latter version used the in house bridge made by Janvier and this was more pleasing to the eye.
Dial
While most of the Classic have the frosted center dials, later version of it have a silver oxidised dials like those on the Goldpfeil/Janvier.
Unique features
The patented mysterious rotor design allows an almost unobstructed view into the movement and it spins ever so effortlessly.
The rivets on the case and crown are labour of love and painstakingly constructed into the watch
I love the hands on the Classic and find this to be the best feature of the watch. The finish and blue hue is just mesmerizing.
A picture tells a thousand words and here are pictures to help me tell beyond what a million words could not do.
Pardon the poor photography from my old Lumix FZ20.
cheers
PAt
Do you know how many of each of the 5 combinations were produced?
I have one of those combinations that Vianney himself was unsure about - whether or not it would "work". It does - and I am wearing it right now. Apologies for the lack of a photo and for not providing a contribution to your quest for information. The hands alone are a dream. But they are not alone ... Cheers, amerix This message has been edited by amerix on 2012-07-15 11:01:28
That is Masthead material... up it goes! Don
in terms of production rarity according to metal 1) Yellow gold (less than 30 I believe) 2) White gold 3) Rose gold Again the numbers need to be verified with VH. cheers PAt
Agree the hands are not just the attractions. all of it is. :) cheers PAt
I am very honored to have this privillege. cheers PAt
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