Tim Jackson
3027
Brilliant post Gary!
You have captured Vianney's masterpiece extremely well. I know this has been a quest, and to see you fulfill it brings a smile to me. You are the perfect owner of this piece, particularly as you have made the trek to St. Croix and have that appreciation for what makes him go to these extra-ordinary lengths to make such a phenomenal piece.
I still vividly remember seeing one of these for the first in Basel 2001 at the AHCI stand, asking VH to show it to me, very briefly strapping it on and thinking, wow that is one fabulous watch!!! At that time I did not truly appreciate VH's genius and/or the amazing details of his work. I certainly do now!
I fully agree with you, his habillage is second to none in my opinion. One only needs to take a look under a loupe to reveal many details typically unseen, that each time I look, blows me away. Having owned a Classic for almost 4 years now, it always brings a smile to my face, when I put it on.
You will truly enjoy this one for years to come, congrats on finding one, and thanks for the superb review.
Cheers,
Tim
Antiqua wearing impressions (with new photos)
Well, it's only been a week, but I have been wearing the Antiqua the great majority of that time and have made a loooong list of wearing impressions. I hope that you are not getting "Antiqua fatigue" from this rapid-fire series of posts, but I am really i...
thanks for the comprehensive - and honest - review
including some revealing photos from a natural perspective - at last. Where our tastes clearly diverge: I happen to love the "deep and narrow" port for the date and can not imagine it otherwise. It adds a tremendous sense of depth to the whole, like peeri...
Great comments, Amery
I understand your point on the "cargo hold" date display -- perhaps it's my aging eyes. The conundrum is that I would not want to increase the size of the date porthole, so there you have it. I was quite disappointed not to get the winding box, but will c...
What a post, Gary!
I do believe the Antiqua is a very historically significant piece. It's influence is clear throughout the world of Contemporary Horology. Anyone who was paying attention in the early days (late 90's, early 00's) has to acknowledge this. I just wish Vianne...
Thanks, Steve
I agree with you -- as I noted in my write-up, I think that the Janvier gives a hint to how to apply the same design ethic in a more contemporary way. That said, the Antiqua is a thing of (delicate) beauty! Will be interested to see in a couple of weeks h...
Great Photos Gary
If you ever get bored of the Antique I'll happily take it off your hands
Gary you really love your watch.
Thanks for the great post, I feel that I know this watch much better now and I appreciate it much more. Best regards, George
It's true, George!
I'm glad that you found the added details interesting. This one really speaks to me, I must say. Best, Gary
Great post Gary
I feel like I am there with you observing this watch, or sometimes right back in Vianney's workshop. Easily the best review I can remember of the Antiqua, especially standing back with the benefit of time to compare with some more modern creations. Though...
I think you're going to like this one in person
The only issue for you will be finding a PT case with PT dials This watch has so many interesting details, and draws the eye from every angle. When I write up my wearing impressions on various pieces, the first list is "what I love about this watch." It o...
that was an absolutely phenomenal posts
one of the highlights of the year for me. What a great piece, and thanks for the insights and especially the photos on the wrist that makes it much easier to conceptualize this watch that I have never seen in the metal. Outstanding. Thanks a lot Andreas
You are very kind, Andreas!
Glad you liked the "real life" photos -- most of them aren't exactly works of art, but I hope that they give a good sense of what the wearing experience is like. Best, Gary
Brilliant post Gary!
You have captured Vianney's masterpiece extremely well. I know this has been a quest, and to see you fulfill it brings a smile to me. You are the perfect owner of this piece, particularly as you have made the trek to St. Croix and have that appreciation f...
Tim, you are right
I have personally experienced Gary's passion for this watch, and he is the perfect owner of this piece. His passion for this one and others is contagious. Now, where is there another Antiqua for sale?.......
Many thanks, Tim
My search for this one has been a poorly kept secret, for sure! Thanks once again to the members of this forum who assisted in making it happen. I think one of the reasons I'm so happy about this watch is that I had always assumed it would be beyond my re...
A great review of an iconic watch...
thanks Gary for all the details, some of which I wasn't aware of at all. Don This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2011-09-24 15:11:07
Appreciate it, Don
In terms of the details, for many of them I was able to draw on the many excellent existing articles and reviews that have been done over the years, but there were several things that just came from observing the piece over the course of a week. I do love...
great post Gary
Your review and excellent photos filled in many additional details about the antigua. I viewed, handled it, tried it on, ogle and admired the watch in June but you cannot remember all the attributes or lack off in just one all too brief encounter.Enjoy it...
Glad I could make this piece more "real" for you
...although as you know there is no substitute for holding it in one's own hands! Best, Gary
Thanks for the wonderful post.....
Quite an education on this timepiece. Was rather impressed with it before reading your review, but even moreso now. Feel free to post additional scans as you take them. Darren
Thanks! I may give the camera a bit of a rest for now
...but I am sure that as with other favorite pieces of mine, I'll be returning to this one in the future. The interesting thing to me is that it is a fairly easy watch to photograph, but very difficult to photograph well -- and I'm not satisfied with any ...
This is one of the greatest posts I have ever read !
I have saved it and will reread it many times. You have done justice to this most beautiful and important watch in the modern era. Thank you Gary. I am a big fan of Vianney Halter, and I firmly believe it's just a matter of time when every purist recogniz...
I am deeply grateful for your remark
As I mentioned in a response higher in the thread, I do think that Vianney and his work are misunderstood. Steve H has a great criterion for watches: how will they be seen 20 to 30 years from now? I think that time is already writing the legacy of this pi...
I saw this yesterday, and almost read it twice...but
I resisted. Because I was at the races, and after race events, and too tired to read the whole article. I didn't want to split it initial parts or a cursory reading. So I saved it for my Sunday reading(Forgive me Lord, I missed Mass this morning, and I am...
Uh oh...
...now I've gotten you into trouble with the Lord! Just to add to my burdens Thanks very much for your note, Horo. It took me a number of evenings this week and a fair amount of my Saturday to concoct this post -- perhaps one of the few benefits of being ...
Fantastic Post
One of the most enjoyable posts I've ever read -- not just because the photos are breathtaking and it is informative, but because of the considered personal observations. Two observations as to your observations: I completely agree about the clasp and had...
Appreciate your comments, Seth
Great to hear from another VH owner! As long as we're on the clasp, the thing that bugs me the most about it is that the VH on the clasp is a different (and considerably sanitized) shape/font from the way that the initials are depicted on the lozenge on t...
Well done, Gary!
Thanks for sharing your impressions on this truly wonderful watch. It was a most informative and interesting read. Chapeau!
Thanks, Davo
Now if I could only pick up some tips from you on wrist shots, I could really get somewhere! Best, Gary
Thanks Gary..
for sharing this very informative and detailed account of the Antigua. This kind of post can only come from someone with true passion and enthusiasm for haute horology. It's an infectious disease that spreads and should carry a warning sign before clickin...
Infectious indeed
I caught the "bug" from others, and hope that I can pass it along as well! Thanks for your note, Fernando. Best, Gary
great detailed observations, made me see more of my watch...
u should put the antiqua in a winder and watch the spectacular orbital show, of the different sized dials creating an optical illusion of orbitiing planets. i tried to upload a video to share but was unable to . anyway, mine with a different set of engrav...
Greetings from my Antiqua to yours!
Thanks especially for posting the photo. I have had a chance to see an Antiqua on the winder, and I agree -- it is mesmerizing to see the "planets" whirl around the central axis! Best, Gary