Comments:
It seems like he constantly has problem with his projects. First, the feud with the original designer of Antiqua and Classic...then the discontinuing of the goldpfeil project,
followed by Opus 3 and then the Capestan.
Am I the only one who feels this has been becoming a pattern?
Lovesss*CL
only the OPUS 3 is beyond the available technology.
Vianney does 'look' like a Genius but is it a possibility that we have put him too high on a pedestal.
I personally think Kari's MR , Roger Smith's Series 2 and Francois Journe Resonance and Remontoir Tourbillion, Dufour brilliant concept of 'Simplicity', extraordinary finishing and Felix' innovative Opus 5 and Urwerk 208 extraordinary finishing make them truly a genius.
JiaXian...you know I have huge respect for you and Bernard
I'm not trying to stir any trouble...hehe....but just thinking if Vianney truly that extraordinary or is it because he 'look' the part.
In my industry, I have seem talents who are really good and I have known others who simply 'look' the part but not exceptional talent wise.
Really jmho and it is something that have been in my head for a long time.
I know my mentor , Bernard, is a no.1 fan of Vianney. I'm no.1 fan of Bernard but I'm not impressed with Mr Vianney's record.
As for watchmakers...I'm a BIG FAN of Kari but his watches are sooooooo EXPENSIVE
Lovesss*CL
I think I know and understand your point of view
Vianney reminded me of a friend of mine who is an artist who makes very intertesting sculpture trees.
His apartment/studio is messy but filled with wonderful art made by him, very much like Vianney's atelier.
Personally, I think Vianney is one of the very few or the only watchmaker who lives in his romantic imaginative creative world.
I sincerely look forward to see his future new creation.
Lovesss*CL
Opus 3 update
I have to hold on to information as long as I can. I had to keep quiet. But now..I have to say something.
Laurent Besse has worked on Opus 3 for sometime, since he was given the job before Max departed.
Laurent Besse is a genius that worked on the MBF1 that I have been honored to own. He is one of the very best.
Now...the seconds countdown on Opus 3 is a real problem even for someone like Ludwig Oeschlin. This may result in a bastardised Opus 3...I certainly hope not! Vianney is no longer the true "father" as he has been out of the Opus 3 project for a while, so the aesthetic, that I consider ( well, it's only me..so not to worry, the rest of the world may love it), seems to be not good.
4 portholes at 4 corners instead of 6 will simply not do. Unless the case shape is drmatically altered to project the 4 holes instead of 6 as originally planned.
However, the "drama" of having 6 portholes with a total of 7 whip mechanisms is gone if HWRT goes ahead with 4 holes.
Laurent Besse has worked on Opus 3 for sometime, since he was given the job before Max departed.
Laurent Besse is a genius that worked on the MBF1 that I have been honored to own. He is one of the very best.
Now...the seconds countdown on Opus 3 is a real problem even for someone like Ludwig Oeschlin. This may result in a bastardised Opus 3...I certainly hope not! Vianney is no longer the true "father" as he has been out of the Opus 3 project for a while, so the aesthetic, that I consider ( well, it's only me..so not to worry, the rest of the world may love it), seems to be not good.
4 portholes at 4 corners instead of 6 will simply not do. Unless the case shape is drmatically altered to project the 4 holes instead of 6 as originally planned.
However, the "drama" of having 6 portholes with a total of 7 whip mechanisms is gone if HWRT goes ahead with 4 holes.
I guess at some point...
they may well decide that putting out a bastardized version is better than nothing at all.
It will be very interesting to see how it plays out.
It will be very interesting to see how it plays out.
Costly but admirable determination to save an unborn child.
I hope it is born with all organs intact!
Interesting development...
thanks for keeping us in the loop Bernard. Guess the Opus 3 saga continues... Despite all these ongoings, tip my hat off to HWRT for continuing what might already be a sore point within the company. Congrats BTW on your MBF 1
Thanks! Will keep you updated.
I am dissapointed with a 4 port Opus 2...maybe the 2 ports could be used to dispaly somehting else.
I wonder how will Opus 3 affect Vianney's reputation?
It seems like he constantly has problem with his projects. First, the feud with the original designer of Antiqua and Classic...then the discontinuing of the goldpfeil project,
followed by Opus 3 and then the Capestan.
Am I the only one who feels this has been becoming a pattern?
Lovesss*CL
I think it has only solidified Vianney's reputation...
as a genius whose ideas run far ahead of available technology.
- SJX
- SJX
Among the four things I mentioned,
only the OPUS 3 is beyond the available technology.
Vianney does 'look' like a Genius but is it a possibility that we have put him too high on a pedestal.
I personally think Kari's MR , Roger Smith's Series 2 and Francois Journe Resonance and Remontoir Tourbillion, Dufour brilliant concept of 'Simplicity', extraordinary finishing and Felix' innovative Opus 5 and Urwerk 208 extraordinary finishing make them truly a genius.
JiaXian...you know I have huge respect for you and Bernard
I'm not trying to stir any trouble...hehe....but just thinking if Vianney truly that extraordinary or is it because he 'look' the part.
In my industry, I have seem talents who are really good and I have known others who simply 'look' the part but not exceptional talent wise.
Really jmho and it is something that have been in my head for a long time.
I know my mentor , Bernard, is a no.1 fan of Vianney. I'm no.1 fan of Bernard but I'm not impressed with Mr Vianney's record.
As for watchmakers...I'm a BIG FAN of Kari but his watches are sooooooo EXPENSIVE
Lovesss*CL
Dear John. Vianney is exceptionally talented.
Dear John,
In 1998, when I first sought out Vianney's work...I never met the man yet then.
In 2005, I began a book on him, at my own cost, my own time and money. I was THAT impressed. The book is now on sale.
But the long journey of learning about men, watchmakers, taught me ONE big thing.
To support and share about the independant, besides George Daniels and Dufour, it takes your own money, and there are NO freebies, no free watches, no free trips, no free anything. NONE, I examined my own soul. I gave my own time. Because I believed in the few men, you are also one such man, that dare to go with their own visions and not bow to commerce.
Vianney is VERY tight on budget.
He cannot do anything with no money.
He is being strangled at many decision crossroads.
On top od all that, he is also EXTREMELY eccentric, and is not aware of, or at least does not give a damn, about fame or money ( at least he just wants to be left alone) to do his own stuff.
That;s why things don't get "done".
But when they do..it is magical.
Fact is, I believe so much in Vianney's visions, and work, that for his book...it is done purely to share with the world what the extreme end of watchmaking can be. When it is NOT AT ALL about satisfying customers, but expressing himself. Of course, the watches can be fixed. It is not rocket science or top secret technology as some would like us to believe. Vianney works with old world tools...meaning old world repairs as well.
You will see that in the book, there is hardly any pics of watches...just the world of Vianney Halter..his mind...his environmant. That will make any owner of a Vianney watch,,appreciate his watch completely.
The Opus 3 will be part Vianney and part " later to be revealed" another man/men.
It will be the ultimate Opus, or at least rival Opus 5, one on one.
Trust me.
BTW...thanks for mentioning me as a mentor, and I consider it a deep honor. I have great respect for your history in your craft and work.
Yours,
Bernard
In 1998, when I first sought out Vianney's work...I never met the man yet then.
In 2005, I began a book on him, at my own cost, my own time and money. I was THAT impressed. The book is now on sale.
But the long journey of learning about men, watchmakers, taught me ONE big thing.
To support and share about the independant, besides George Daniels and Dufour, it takes your own money, and there are NO freebies, no free watches, no free trips, no free anything. NONE, I examined my own soul. I gave my own time. Because I believed in the few men, you are also one such man, that dare to go with their own visions and not bow to commerce.
Vianney is VERY tight on budget.
He cannot do anything with no money.
He is being strangled at many decision crossroads.
On top od all that, he is also EXTREMELY eccentric, and is not aware of, or at least does not give a damn, about fame or money ( at least he just wants to be left alone) to do his own stuff.
That;s why things don't get "done".
But when they do..it is magical.
Fact is, I believe so much in Vianney's visions, and work, that for his book...it is done purely to share with the world what the extreme end of watchmaking can be. When it is NOT AT ALL about satisfying customers, but expressing himself. Of course, the watches can be fixed. It is not rocket science or top secret technology as some would like us to believe. Vianney works with old world tools...meaning old world repairs as well.
You will see that in the book, there is hardly any pics of watches...just the world of Vianney Halter..his mind...his environmant. That will make any owner of a Vianney watch,,appreciate his watch completely.
The Opus 3 will be part Vianney and part " later to be revealed" another man/men.
It will be the ultimate Opus, or at least rival Opus 5, one on one.
Trust me.
BTW...thanks for mentioning me as a mentor, and I consider it a deep honor. I have great respect for your history in your craft and work.
Yours,
Bernard
Also..in 2001, Ronald Winston visited Vianney and said...
" I MUST have his watch, the Antiqua." As he left the small building which houses Vainney's workshops. Apparently, he rarely says these things.
This watch now is on Ronald Winston's wrist, a part of his collection.
He was so impressed with the man, his world, his eccentricity.
And so...that is a part of the Opus 3 story.
This message has been edited by bernard cheong on 2007-08-20 17:53:17The screwed catalogue
Hi CL,
Before I meet Vianney, I too thought he was sometimes
overhyped. Fortunately I had the good fortune to have breakfast with him at
Bernard's place some time ago. Yes, he does look like a genius, but his talent
is more than tha IMHO.
overhyped. Fortunately I had the good fortune to have breakfast with him at
Bernard's place some time ago. Yes, he does look like a genius, but his talent
is more than tha IMHO.
It was apparent in my conversation with him that he is
very technical minded; he loves all things mechanical. He has incredible
enthusiasm, almost child like, for mechanical objects. Vianney told me about his
love of Facel Vega cars, long gone French maker of luxury cars which many regard
as having fantastic build quality. Only someone truly in love with mechanical
quality could go on at length about a car most never heard of or even
seen.
very technical minded; he loves all things mechanical. He has incredible
enthusiasm, almost child like, for mechanical objects. Vianney told me about his
love of Facel Vega cars, long gone French maker of luxury cars which many regard
as having fantastic build quality. Only someone truly in love with mechanical
quality could go on at length about a car most never heard of or even
seen.
Perhaps here we need to distinguish between Vianney
technical imagination and skill, and his business talent. I think there is a
gulf between the two. I have no doubt Vianney is a brilliant watchmaker and
creator but I would think working with him will be difficult if not impossible.
However, his lack of business skill or even the most basic ideas of marketing
and delivery, should not detract from the man's genius.
technical imagination and skill, and his business talent. I think there is a
gulf between the two. I have no doubt Vianney is a brilliant watchmaker and
creator but I would think working with him will be difficult if not impossible.
However, his lack of business skill or even the most basic ideas of marketing
and delivery, should not detract from the man's genius.
I think the best representation of the paradox is
Vianney's catalogue. As a marketing tool it falls short, the photographs are
good but not excellent, and the text inside is not particularly convincing. But
what amazes me is that the pages of the catalogue are bound with
screws, not glued or sewn, but attached by a set
of steel screws are well made and polished.
Vianney's catalogue. As a marketing tool it falls short, the photographs are
good but not excellent, and the text inside is not particularly convincing. But
what amazes me is that the pages of the catalogue are bound with
screws, not glued or sewn, but attached by a set
of steel screws are well made and polished.
- SJX
Hi JiaXian and Bernard...
I think I know and understand your point of view
Vianney reminded me of a friend of mine who is an artist who makes very intertesting sculpture trees.
His apartment/studio is messy but filled with wonderful art made by him, very much like Vianney's atelier.
Personally, I think Vianney is one of the very few or the only watchmaker who lives in his romantic imaginative creative world.
I sincerely look forward to see his future new creation.
Lovesss*CL