Reality of Time

A bona-fide icon of contemporary independent watchmaking history, by one of the sector’s pioneers and indeed legendary figures, the simply named Classic by Vianney Halter is a watch which, since its introduction in the year 2,000, has become a piece which has defined, and continues to encapsulate the spirit of independent watchmaking. With its distinctive ‘porthole’ design, complete with rivet studs, it is a characterful watch which is both inimitable and unmistakable, and one which has an irresistible presence on the wrist.

Having worked with this incredible, one-of-a-kind talent since our earliest days, we could think of no more befitting a way of crowning The Limited Edition’s tenth anniversary celebrations than with an exclusive edition of this iconic masterpiece, reimagined in an alluring combination of muted matte surfaces, anglage and gold detail, set to a theme of seductively dark and shadowy tones, thus giving the Vianney Halter Classic an entirely new and beguiling personality.

Measuring 39mm across with a height of 11.7mm, the Vianney Halter Classic TLE Tenth Anniversary limited edition is presented in a case of Grade 5 titanium, the surface of which has been micro blasted to give it a smooth matte grey finish, while a fine band of polished anglage around the rim of the bezel provides eye catching contrast.

Thanks to the central lobes at each end of the case which provide anchorage for the articulated strap attachments, the Classic’s round ‘porthole’ concept is even more pronounced, and the twelve polished 18Kt gold rivets around the flat bezel surround, which are also replicated elsewhere as a ring of tiny rivets embedded into its crown, further reinforce the effect and the steampunk aesthetic which has defined the watchmaker’s wonderfully abstract style throughout his career.

Around the bevelled rim of the convex sapphire crystal which rises above the case, the sense of depth between glass and the dial below is visibly distorted, thanks to the effect of refraction from the curved glass.

The dial itself is also manufactured in titanium which has been given a dark anthracite dip treatment to give it its near-black colour. It is comprised of a recessed central panel which is micro blasted, and an outer ring which is brushed and features polished anglage on the stepped edge around the centre. The numerals, minute and hour track and the watchmaker’s motif have been applied using rose gold decals, while the rose gold plated fountain pen nib-like hands are flamboyant in their styling, and perfectly complement the gold over black theme.

Inside the case, and visible through a sapphire caseback, the hand decoration on the VH122 self winding movement is fully exposed, thanks to the enchanting “mystery” rotor; a patented innovation which employs a sapphire disc with hidden weight around its edge whose rotation is practically invisible, and means that the view of the mechanism is completely unobstructed. Beating at 21,600 vib/h (3Hz), the movement boasts an impressive 56 hours of power reserve.

Water resistant to 3ATM (30m), the watch is fitted with a sustainable calfskin leather strap and secures with a titanium pin buckle.

The Vianney Halter Classic TLE Tenth Anniversary edition of course remains faithful to the original Classic and to Halter’s signature Futur Antérieur design code; the blueprint upon which the eclectic genius watchmaker has used across his multiple award-winning career to bring his expressive and daringly unconventional retro-futuristic creations to life.

The Vianney Halter Classic TLE Tenth Anniversary will be produced in a limited edition of only twenty pieces.