Horological Meandering

Hi All, The Melbourne WatchBand held their monthly GTG last night in an atmospheric pub in the city. Occasionally we have the pleasure of welcoming international visitors to our little group. This month we were honoured with the presence of Mr Bertrand Bo...  

It was a good night, some very nice pieces, the Antiqua is certainly something I'd like one of... Wondering how we can top this one ;-)

Is that a Tudor Ranger on the table? As for V.H watches, I would have loved to join you and examine them! Lucky WatchBand. Thanks for dharing, this great moment, Andrew. Best, Nicolas.

but the real star for me was the Antiqua. Much more wearable than I'd imagined it to be - some many little details to explore, and so beautifully finished. Wonderful to have pieces like these make there way down under - many thanks to Bertrand for taking ...  

I completely agree, Grumio. And it is sobering to think that so many of the Independents who we place on a pedestal outsource their dial and case production, Vianney does it ALL in house. The case of the Antiqua, with its polished and brushed surfaces, va... 

I also like dials on things other than watches. These are some dials I ran across on a recent trip for work that reminded me a little of these watches - maybe inspirations for a future piece... grumio...  

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... that you would post these instruments because Vianney loves old machines, mechanisms, valves and dials. Click here for a link to Steyr's images of the atalier ......  

the finish looks spectacular! J

The VH watches shown on the night, antigua,Trio and the Classic Janvier were spectacular.My personal favourite is the antigua , but hey, I will be happy with any VH.It still looks so fresh,organic,sublime and endearing now and who would have believed it s... 

The Antiqua is aging beautifully. What was 'out there' and even outrageous in 1998 now seems relatively tame in comparison with offerings from MB&F and the like. But we likely wouldn't have these pieces if it wasn't for Vianney's work. The seed for Bertra... 

Forgot to mention how neat the automatic rotor ( patented according to VH website ) spins ( and very smooth , as if it is oil damped ) on the outside perimeter of the movement so as not to obscure the innards of the beautifully finished movement.

... of automatic rotors obscuring the movement. Not that there is a lot to see in the Antiqua. But the Classic Janvier (where the mysterious rotor is below the EOT mechanism and cam) and the Trio (which has wonderful depth) are another thing altogether. I... 

Andrew, you must remember that Citizen were making a rotor that ran around the edge of the movement so it didnt obscure anything in the 60's. the super jet. i will admit that its not the quietest of rotors, but it was the beginning of something people are... 

... I wasn't implying that the mysterious rotor was new, just that it is a nice implementation and allows us to appreciate the movement, which in the case of the Classic Janvier (and Trio) is something special. And we all know that there is very little ne... 

It's always nice to see your posts on Melbourne Watchband GTGs! Your shots in dim light just gets better and better! Looks like everybody is surprised at how NOT chunky and how wearable the Antiqua is in real life! When Bertrand was in Sydney, we had the ... 

Great pieces ther esp the Antiqua! Julian

Great to see a PAM and even a Hamilton there. Thanks for sharing, Andrew.

Great company and fine time-pieces, seems wrong to call them watches, simply works of art. Bertrand was exceedingly generous with his time and insight into Janvier and the broader industry. As per usual, I now have a hundred questions I'd like to ask !! t... 

... there is always more to learn, another piece of history to uncover. And Bertrand was happy to tell a story or two! Loved your cufflinks and pleased to get a nice shot with the Antiqua. Hope you can get to more of the GTG's. Andrew

Thank you Andrew for organising and cataloguing last night and to Bertrand (& VIanney) for giving up their time (Boom boom)

Will WatchBand have regular featured guest speakers? That would be awesome! I like the zany pub atmosphere! It's nice to see the various Vianney Halter pieces. They have a wonderful steampunk aesthetic. I know you are a fan of steampunk. Cheers, Daos

You would love this place, Daos. And it was a very appropriate background for the VH pieces. I will try and get some other views at future WatchBand meetings as this only shows you one corner. And yes you are right, I love Steam Punk [ Click Here for one ... 

Maybe next time we will invite people from hautlence!Thanks all! Nice meeting u guys again.

Looks like a great night with some eye opening peices. Unfortunately I am interstate with work but hope to join the 'Band again soon. Zac

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we must start doing more GTG's in UK, but the transport system is useless so its hard for us to get together regularly. pathetic excuse i know G

nothing like intimate gathering of watch lovers.. and some familiar faces...and amazing pieces... Thank you!

thanks for the report. Those watches are amazing. The Antiqua is of course fantastic but the Classic Janvier is also a wonder I think. Great to see them in one place and have them presented knowledgably! Best Andreas

I think Australia, despite it's proximity to the watch hubs of Singapore and Hong Kong, is ten years behind, particularly when it comes to the Independents. There is interest here, but traditionally people have stayed with the 'safe' big brands. But it re... 

. . . I don't believe they were delivered from Omega in that configuration, and have never seen a photo of a Mk II strapped on a wrist . . .

Looks almost a solid matte finish - almost bead blasted.

When I received the case, it had been bashed and dinged beyond the point of trying to restore the original lines, so I opted for the bead blasting instead.. Took a couple of goes to get the finish even... Similar reason for the display back, it had been p... 

Tom, would you be able to make custom display backs for other watches if you could get hold of the correct steel back? the reason i ask is that some of the vintage Omega hand wind's i own (286, 601 etc) deserve to be seen and you can, i think, buy replace... 

As long as the case back has a flat centre section, there shouldn't be any problems, and there's some nice thinnish (0.5mm) sapphire crystals available... I kow it's possible to replace the entire cases back on some of the more curved ones with a Plexigla... 

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... It's a bit of a Franken-speedy.. Lemania badges movement, custom running second hand,.. I put it together as an apprentice, as it was much cheaper than trying to find one complete, but never liked the bracelet... It also has a display back, and one da... 

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i really like the finish to that case Tom. it may not be totally original, but it still looks very 70's and the rounded edges suit the shape of the case. i like your display back. i bought one for my 321 cal speedy and it was worth every penny. best Graha...  

. . . much obliged. An "exotic" Mk II was in my possession for a few years; I considered having a display back made, but never got around to it . . .

Thanks Tom, Looks cool. Great wrist shot. Andrew

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Classic Janvier ... Full review to follow ... Andrew...  

...but what longitude is that EOT set up for?

As you know, there are five reasons on the back of that watch why the answer to your question is irrelevant. ;-) Looking forward to Andrew's review in a day or three. Cheers, pplater.

...that the watch thinks it's mid-January? That watch, over the Antiqua, is something I really missed out on by missing this GTG.

looking forward to the review J

Damn why I got a a meeting on that nite....thanks Andrew for the best picture

Hi Snak, Yep. Just the usual DLux4. Hand held, artificial light in a hotel Business Centre before dinner. There are some even better shots to come (IMHO) when I found a window with some natural light! For everyone's information, if you use the "Gallery" v... 

No grain at all in what appears to be the natural room light.

looking forward to the writeup in the AHCI forum! J