catalogue - ThePuristS

CATALOGUE
Les Montres
In the small village of
Sainte-Croix, nestled in the
heart of the Swiss Jura,you
will find an unpretentious
building housing La
Manufacture Janvier.
There, master-watchmaker
Vianney Halter devotes himself to his passion.
He inspires rather than leads his young,
dynamic and enthusiastic team.
Although an independent creator, Vianney
Halter is not an isolated man. He perpetuates a
tradition of excellence alongside his
watchmakers, precision-machinists and
designers.
This happy marriage of exceptional
watchmaking and technical innovation has
been celebrated in Vianney Halter’s " Futur
Antérieur " and " Halter Tempus "
collections since 1998.
We kindly invite you to discover the
astonishing and captivating world of
Vianney Halter. A world inspired by sciencefiction literature, the novels of Jules Verne,
antique scientific instruments, vintage cars
and all beautiful things mechanical.
Sommaire
page 2
Collection Futur Antérieur
page 3
Type Antiqua
page 9
Type Classic
page 15
Type Trio
page 20
page 21
Collection Halter Tempus
Type Contemporaine
Futur Antérieur
COLLECTION
Les Montres Vianney Halter was born in
1998 with the presentation at the Basel
International Watch and Jewelry Fair of a
unusual watch called the Antiqua. This
watch has a style which may be best
described as a " relic of the future ".
Halter presented this timepiece in the
context of his candidature to the AHCI
(Académie Horlogère des Créateurs
Indépendants) in which he was sponsored
by Philippe Dufour.
The Antiqua with its perpetual calendar
was followed in 2000 by the simpler Classic.
page 2
These two have now been joined by the
Trio. A prototype of this rectangular watch
was first shown in 2000 and it now returns
with supplementary complications.
These watches form the collection " Futur
Antérieur " (Future Past).
This collection is characterized by a display
of the various functions through riveted
portholes.
These are watches that one might imagine
on Captain Nemo’s wrist when at the
controls of his Nautilus, or perhaps worn by
H.G.Well’s when returning from time-travel.
TYPE
The Antiqua is the
foundation model of
the collection " Futur
Antérieur "
Th e Ant i q u a i s a
perpetual calendar
watch. That is to say that its caliber
VH198 includes a calendar which
displays not only the date, but also
the day of the week, the current
month and the cycle of the leap year.
I t automatically accounts for the
variable days of the months and for
leap years.
ANTIQUA
Provided the movement is kept
sufficiently wound, this wristwatchsized mechanical computer needs
inter vention from its owner only
once ever y 100 years.
This ex tremely rare adjustment is
required to take into account the
fact that the turn of the centuries,
e.g. , 1900 or 2100, are not leap years
despite being divisible by four.
The balance wheel frequenc y is
28'800 oscillations per hour and the
power reser ve is about 35 hours.
page 3
Futur Antérieur
page 4
COLLECTION
TYPE
ANTIQUA
An Antiqua requires approximately 900 hours
to be completed. The case itself is composed
of nearly 100 parts of 30 different types.
The rivets, all machined in solid gold, are
ubiquitous throughout the watch - portholes
42, top-plate 4, winding crown 24, base of
crown 4, rotor 20, tang buckle 6, strap lugs 4.
No fewer than 104 in total and contributing to
the very special and unique style of the
Antiqua.
The metal dials are composed of nine different
elements and are hand-engraved making
each watch unique. The five blued-steel
hands are also hand-finished.
page 5
ROTARY WINDING BOX
The Antiqua is delivered with a certificate
of authenticity in a beautiful watch-winder
box. This keeps the watch perfectly wound
when not worn on the owner’s wrist.
This accessory allows the Antiqua to be
used as a desk clock : enabling it to be
enjoyed in a variety of situations.
page 6
The system is programmable and allows for
variations in rotation frequency, direction
and speed.
The winding box is composed of more than
300 parts, weighs 1.75 Kg, and measures
150 mm x 110 mm x 140 mm.
When mounted inside the watch can be
seen through a riveted porthole.
Its fabrication involves skilled cabinetmaker and it is entirely assembled at La
Manufacture Janvier.
The motorized rotating watch support is
powered by lithium batteries with a power
reserve of approximately four years.
The rotary winding box is available in a
selection of precious woods with the
interior upholstered in suede.
ANTIQUA
TYPE
The Antiqua is also available in a white
gold or platinum case. These have
contrasting rivets in either yellow gold
or rose gold and with dials matching
the rivets.
An all white metal Antiqua is the final
option with a case in white gold or
Scale 1
platinum. Dials are platinum and the
rivets are made of white gold.
In total there are eight different
versions of the Antiqua available.
The watch is supplied with a handsewn leather strap available in several
colours and made of genuine alligator
or goat leather. The strap has a tang
buckle matching the case metal.
46.50 mm
The Antiqua is available in either
yellow gold or rose gold. Dials are
platinum and the rivets are made of
white gold - with the exception of the
rivets on the mysterious mass rotor
which are always in yellow gold.
42.50 mm
page 7
Design
&
Horology
Vianney Halter loves designers ... and the
feeling is mutual.
Halter has taken full advantage of the
creative contribution these professionals
have to offer with all of the watches he has
presented to date: under his own brand as
well as for others. However, it is not always
easy to define their role.
The designer’s contribution consists of
extracting, cultivating, expressing, distilling
and formalizing concepts and ideas
originating in Halter’s imaginative
watchmaker’s mind.
page 8
Out of a universe of inspiration, from a
word, a desire, or even a point of view, the
process of creation is a true collaboration
between the watchmaker and the designer.
The latter brings an expertise in innovation
and structure which is much more than a
simple talent for drawing.
As a result of this, Vianney Halter watches
are timepieces whose originality and
harmony originate from a creative
exchange based around a strong concept.
TYPE
The Classic echoes the
mechanical sophistication
of the Antiqua in a watch
with one dial indicating
hours, minutes and
seconds.
and the tang buckle, the characteristic
design elements of the "Futur Antérieur"
collection.
Repeating the style elements of its elder
sibling, the Classic expresses all the force
of the " Futur Antérieur " concept and
naturally receives the same assiduous
high quality of fabrication.
It is an automatic movement adjusted in
5 positions. The balance wheel frequency
is 28'800 oscillations per hour and the
power reserve is about 40 hours.
CLASSIC
The Classic is fitted with the caliber
VH100 which includes 27 jewels.
One can recognize the form of the case,
the glass porthole, the rivets, the lugs
page 9
Futur Antérieur
page10
COLLECTION
TYPE
CLASSIC
The Classic benefits from the same
meticulous drive for excellence which
typifies the " Futur Antérieur " collection.
Each of the 46 rivets – 24 in the winding
crown, 12 on the bezel, 6 on the buckle and
4 on the lugs– are machined, polished and
implemented with the same fastidious
attention to detail.
The blued-steel hands are hand-crafted,
while the two sapphire crystals (front and
display back) are coated with anti-reflective
treatment on both faces.
The dial is composed of four different
elements, each hand-finished.
page 11
M ysteriou s ma s s rotor
To ensure an uninterrupted view of the
caliber through the sapphire display back,
all of the Vianney Halter watches are fitted
with the so-called " mysterious mass "
winding rotor.
In this system, the oscillating mass which
allows wrist movement to wind the watch,
is hidden behind a peripheral ring with no
apparent link to the rotor. This allows for a
totally open view to the back of the
movement.
The " mysterious mass " is a patented
invention of Vianney Halter.
page12
CLASSIC
TYPE
The watch is also available in a white
gold case with contrasting yellow or
rose gold rivets and with the dial
matching the rivets.
An all-white metal Classic is the final
option, with both case and rivets in
white gold and a rhodium-plated dial.
Scale 1
In total there are five versions of the
Classic available.
The watch is supplied with a handsewn leather strap available in several
colours and made of genuine alligator
or goat leather. The strap has a tang
buckle matching the case metal.
48.40 mm
The Classic is available in either
yellow gold or rose gold with
rhodium plated metal dials and white
gold rivets.
The Classic is delivered in a leather
box with a certificate of authenticity.
42.75 mm
page 13
La Manufacture JANVIER
Antide Janvier
was born in
1751 in Brives,
a small village
in the French
Jura.
Remarkably
precocious,
Antide Janvier
was an eager
student and
relentless
worker. He was rapidly recognized as a
remarkable clockmaker.
page 14
He knew three french Kings (Louis XV, Louis
XVI and Louis XVIII) and one Emperor
(Napoleon 1st) and was several times titled
"Clockmaker of the King".
When he died, aged 84, he had produced
numerous incredible clocks only, a few of
which remain.
These are now housed in museums and
private collections.
But Janvier was much more than the great
clockmaker recognized by his peers. He had
a talent for scientific investigation
and mathematics as well as for art and is
today greatly honoured by watchmakers
Vianney Halter wanted to contribute to the
perpetuation of Janvier’s memory.
When he founded his company in 1994 he
baptized it La Manufacture Janvier to pay
modest tribute to this man who was very
much ahead of his time.
TYPE
The Trio is the third
model in the " Futur
Antérieur " collection
following on from the
Antiqua and the Classic.
The Trio is a form watch.
Its curved rectangular case houses a
specifically designed automatic movement.
Behind its four riveted portholes the Trio
displays much more than simply hours and
minutes . The Petite Seconde hand is in the
smaller porthole located under and to the
left of the main dial.
TRIO
And last, but certainly not least, we have
the Grande Date. This is viewed through
the two smaller portholes at the bottom
right.
The Trio is fitted with the caliber VH205
which has 40 jewels.
It is an automatic movement adjusted in
5 positions.
The balance wheel frequency is 28'800
oscillations per hour and the power
reserve is approximately 60 hours.
page 15
Futur Antérieur
page 16
COLLECTION
TYPE
TRIO
The Grande Date mechanism alone
comprises over 50 parts. It is designed to
allow quick setting of the date utilizing the
crown only (this function usually requires
the complementary action of a pusher).
The setting of date and time are completely
independent : adjusting the time does not
upset the date.
Not only does this sophisticated
complication make the Trio Grande Date
more convenient to use, thanks to the
elimination of a pusher, it also enhances
both water and dust resistance.
page 17
In-house movements
According to the immutable laws of
horology, a watchmaker is considered a
"manufacture" if he makes the
"mouvement en blanc " or " blank caliber ".
" Mouvement en blanc " is a ancient term
which refers to the preliminary, roughly
finished stage of a caliber. This stage is
composed of the baseplate, bridges, and
spring barrel.
page 18
With the ability to produce movements en
blanc, the company founded by Vianney
Halter under the name of Janvier SA, fully
merits the title ," manufacture ".
For example, the calibre VH205 fitted to the
Trio is a movement designed, manufactured
and assembled in Sainte-Croix.
The architecture of this movement is
specific, as are the baseplate and the
bridges. All these elements being
machined, finished, jewelled and even
rhodium-plated at La Manufacture Janvier.
Only the anchor, balance and escape
wheels are shared with the Peseux 7001.
The majority of parts are fabricated
at La Manufacture Janvier; however, a few
pieces are produced outside by the finest
Swiss suppliers
to Vianney Halter’s
technical specifications.
In the same way, the Antiqua’s caliber
VH198, the Classic’s VH100 and the
Contemporaine’s VH300 are developed
around a few mechanical elements shared
with the Lemania caliber 8810.
All parts constituting the VH movements
are systematically modified, finished and
quality-controlled at La Manufacture
Janvier, no matter their origins, before
being assembled and cased by a skilled
watchmaker under the close supervision of
Vianney Halter.
TRIO
TYPE
The watch is also available in a
white gold case with contrasting
yellow or rose gold rivets and with
the dial matching the rivets.
An all-white metal Trio is the final
option, with both case and rivets in
white gold and with a rhodiumplated dial.
Scale 1
In total there are five versions of
the Trio available.
The watch is supplied with a handsewn leather strap available in
several colours and made of
genuine alligator or goat leather.
The strap has a tang buckle
matching the case metal.
43.30 mm
The Trio is available in either yellow
gold or rose gold with rhodium
plated metal dials and white gold
rivets.
The Trio is delivered in a leather box
with a certificate of authenticity.
32.00 mm
page 19
Halter Tempus
COLLECTION
In the years since 1998, other timepieces
have been developed alongside the " Futur
Antérieur " collection.
While these do not share the same design
characteristics of the Antiqua, Classic and Trio,
they undoubtedly bear the unmistakable of
Vianney Halter’s creativity.
This second collection of Les Montres Vianney
Halter is known as " Halter Tempus ".
The collection is a fusion of the innovative
ideas of a master watchmaker with the
expressive genius of a designer. This collection
challenges time in its own fashion.
page 20
The first model in the " Halter Tempus "
collection is the Contemporaine. This watch
can be seen as a more modern looking
derivation of the Antiqua.
Watches created by Vianney Halter for
other brands also belong to the collection
" Halter Tempus ".
Their contribution to the creative heritage
of Vianney Halter may return in the future
in the form of new models.
TYPE
The Contemporaine
derives from the Antiqua
the
concept
of
displaying the various
functions by means of
several dials.
However, that is where the comparison ends
as the Contemporaine drops the
characteristic elements of the " Futur
Antérieur " collection to offer an " out of
time " style.
Smaller
than
the
Antiqua,
the
Contemporaine suits the slimmer wrist or
CONTEMPORAINE
those seeking a more refined discretion.
On its round case, the Contemporaine
displays hours, minutes, day of the week,
date and moonphase.
The Contemporaine is fitted with the
caliber VH300 which includes 36 jewels.
It is an automatic movement adjusted in
5 positions. The balance wheel frequency
is 28'800 oscillations per hour and the
power reserve is about 40 hours.
Scale 1
page 21
Halter Tempus
page 22
COLLECTION
TYPE
CONTEMPORAINE
All details are treated with the same
passion for excellence that is the hallmark
of La Manufacture Janvier.
The top plate is ringed, its edge is diamond
cut and the bezels are finely polished.
The sapphire crystals are shaped to provide
a magnifying effect. All crystals are coated
with an anti-reflection treatment on both
faces.
The two dials, the moonphase disk and the
hands are hand-painted, ensuring each
Contemporaine is unique.
page 23
Halter Tempus
page 24
COLLECTION
The Contemporaine is available in either
yellow gold, rose gold or white gold.
The strap has a tang buckle matching the
case metal.
There is also a Contemporaine Joaillerie,
the case of which is made in white gold
and set of diamonds, sapphire or ruby
jewels.
The Contemporaine is delivered in its box
with a certificate of authenticity.
In total there are four versions of the
Contemporaine.
The watch is supplied with a hand-sewn
leather strap available in several colours
and made of genuine alligator or goat
leather.
CONTEMPORAINE
Scale 1
46.50 mm
TYPE
36.75 mm
page 25
Every Vianney Halter is
individually numbered. This
number, engraved on the
backplate, is registered in
the booklet delivered with
the watch.
Manufacture JANVIER
This certificate ensures
authenticity and facilitates
long-term servicing.
CH 1450 Sainte-Croix
Switzerland
Every Vianney Halter watch is covered by
an international guarantee for one year
after its purchase.
This guarantee is honoured throughout the
world through the chain of Montres
Vianney Halter authorised dealers.
page 26
Catalogue designed by
Jean-Yves Mariez
(mariez.jeanyves@wanadoo.fr)
Quartier de la Joux 2
Case Postal 163
Tel
00 41 (0) 24 454 29 48
Fax
00 41 (0) 24 454 39 44
contact@vianney-halter.com
www.vianney-halter.com
Pictures by
Bernard Cheong
Anne-Lise Vullioud
Martial Fragnière
Spécial thanks to Ian Skellern
for his technical advise and final reading
C 2006 Janvier sa