It's been 12 years since Vianney Halter launched the Classic. The Classic derived it's styling from the successful Antiqua but it's simple 3 hander look hides the complexity involved to produce it.
In 2006, Vianney Halter announced the news to cease production of it so that he can concentrate on other projects. The work on Classic stopped in 2007 ending the last few orders. In the short span of 7 years, 250 were produced (36 Classic per year mathematically averaged out)
Combinations of Classic
Within these 250, there were 5 official versions ( info from VH website)
1) White gold case with yellow gold dials and rivets
2) Yellow gold case with white gold dials and rivets
3) White gold case with white gold dials and rivets
4) White gold case with red gold dials and rivets
5) Red gold case with white gold dials and rivets
Straps
Straps that accompanied the Classic ranged from the alligator or goat leather with a tang buckle matching the case.
Movement
The Classic uses the VH 100 and it is actually a Lemania 8810 and there were 2 versions used in the production. The latter version used the in house bridge made by Janvier and this was more pleasing to the eye.
Dial
While most of the Classic have the frosted center dials, later version of it have a silver oxidised dials like those on the Goldpfeil/Janvier.
Unique features
The patented mysterious rotor design allows an almost unobstructed view into the movement and it spins ever so effortlessly.
The rivets on the case and crown are labour of love and painstakingly constructed into the watch
I love the hands on the Classic and find this to be the best feature of the watch. The finish and blue hue is just mesmerizing.
A picture tells a thousand words and here are pictures to help me tell beyond what a million words could not do.
Pardon the poor photography from my old Lumix FZ20.
cheers
PAt