self explanatory...

Jul 21, 2012,13:20 PM
 

fantastic write up. and qualified writing in that you have owned the Classic for a period of time now. I had mine for couple of years now, though i hardly wear it, its a keeper.


I attached VH production figures below.





Best,

Horo

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

A look back at Vianney Halter Classic and an owner's perspective

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 15th, 2012-07:44
...  
login to reply

Great write-up Patrick

 
 By: ArthurSG : July 15th, 2012-08:16
Do you know how many of each of the 5 combinations were produced?
login to reply

Hi Arthur, unfortunately I don't but...

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 15th, 2012-17:38
in terms of production rarity according to metal 1) Yellow gold (less than 30 I believe) 2) White gold 3) Rose gold Again the numbers need to be verified with VH. cheers PAt
login to reply

hi Arthur, unconfirmed production numbers below

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 15th, 2012-19:37
115pcs in RG, 34pcs in YG & 101pcs in WG. cheers PAt
login to reply

Thanks Patrick

 
 By: ArthurSG : July 15th, 2012-21:32
I'm trying to find out how many of the WG/PG rivet and PG/WG rivets were produced as well. No biggy but just curious. Thanks.
login to reply

VH Classic production figures are .....

 
 By: Hororgasm : July 21st, 2012-13:12
YG - 33 RG - 115 WG - 102 Brass prototype - 2 dial variations -see below my reply to Patrick best, Horo
login to reply

Or a collector's perspective

 
 By: amerix : July 15th, 2012-10:58
I have one of those combinations that Vianney himself was unsure about - whether or not it would "work". It does - and I am wearing it right now. Apologies for the lack of a photo and for not providing a contribution to your quest for information. The han... 
login to reply

Which combo amerix? Would love to see some pics.

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 15th, 2012-17:40
Agree the hands are not just the attractions. all of it is. :) cheers PAt
login to reply

perhaps the most unusual feature

 
 By: amerix : July 17th, 2012-09:37
is the use of YG rivets in the greyish brushed WG case and crown. The part of the dial face with the numerals and indices is of a lighter hue than most red or rosè gold that have a higher copper content (here R2 or R3?) that could easily be mistaken for u... 
login to reply

I know what you mean Amerix. I am still in awe when I look at it at different time of the

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 18th, 2012-06:30
day when the lighting is different as well. From Striking golden to a light copper hue. The metallurgy part that I am seeing is that patina is forming around the rivet and case contact. This is a keeper for me. cheers PAt
login to reply

You got the hands just right in those pictures !

 
 By: DonCorson : July 15th, 2012-12:30
That is Masthead material... up it goes! Don
login to reply

Thanks Don.

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 15th, 2012-17:40
I am very honored to have this privillege. cheers PAt
login to reply

thanks for the write up. I love the Classique only wish he would

 
 By: alex : July 16th, 2012-00:16
relaunch a larger version!
login to reply

You're welcome Alex. Bigger version?hm.....

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 16th, 2012-00:25
cheers PAt
login to reply

I don;t know

 
 By: ArthurSG : July 16th, 2012-01:39
but I hope not. I think a larger size would take away in that the proportions may not be as as nice as won't be as classic :-) as the original. Besides, I think (hope) Vianny has enough watch making creativity and integrity in him to try and create someth... 
login to reply

he definitely has the creativity and talent but considering that the Trio is at

 
 By: alex : July 16th, 2012-04:20
CHF 100k and the Antiqua at around CHF 170k (not judging the price considering the amount of handwork) he is way out of what many of his fans can afford and a time only piece with a more contemporary case dimensions (38mm-40mm) vs the actual 36mm would in... 
login to reply

I suppose that is possible

 
 By: ArthurSG : July 16th, 2012-05:32
if he wants to but I think that cheapens teh original classic and cheapens Vianney. That's a marketing ploy and I thin if independent go down this route, it takes away from the charm of independents and for SOME (not all, just some) independett collectors... 
login to reply

Be patient ! Something is ...

 
 By: Philippe M : July 17th, 2012-04:55
... on its way ! Not allowed to say anything about it, however I am sure you gonna be breathtaken. Stay tuned and check Vianney's FB page ! Clues about this should be spread away there soon (perhaps have already been ;-) ! ). Cheers.
login to reply

Hopefully its something totally new. [nt]

 
 By: ArthurSG : July 17th, 2012-07:03
login to reply

subscribed!

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 17th, 2012-21:38
cheers PAt
login to reply

Modify the lugs?

 
 By: Wees : July 16th, 2012-09:00
Yes please! I think the riveted portholes would look amazing with screwed lugs somewhere between the PP Officer models and PSM's.
login to reply

plus one on the size inflation to 38mm

 
 By: Hororgasm : July 21st, 2012-13:26
if only he can find the challenge and energy and motivation to do it. and i agree that there could be a change in lug design to reflect inflated case size....would be uber cool. go on Alex - talk to the man and convince him!!! :)- best, Horo
login to reply

Beautiful-

 
 By: cisco : July 17th, 2012-09:37
And a statement at its time and the beginning of a new era for horology. For me THE model that ignite creativity along with Richard Mille RM001. an important watch imho Francois
login to reply

Agree with you Francois. :)

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 17th, 2012-21:25
cheers PAt
login to reply

I missed the boat on this wonderful piece

 
 By: mpiz : July 21st, 2012-05:49
Was too busy focusing on Panerai & IWC in those days that I glanced passed this. Still till this day, I'm filled with some regret of not getting this. Alas, the antiqua is still available and guess will be channeling my energy towards this...
login to reply

oh yes, that's a very nice piece.

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 21st, 2012-06:28
But too high for me now. cheers PAt
login to reply

I realize "Classic" is quite strange for this watch

 
 By: Mark in Paris : July 21st, 2012-07:26
at least in the watches we are used to seeing nowadays. Thanks you for this reminder, I haven't been looking closely looking at them yet. Cheers, Mark
login to reply

quite strange? why?

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 21st, 2012-07:57
cheers PAt
login to reply

Strange ?

 
 By: Mark in Paris : July 21st, 2012-09:23
In fact, it seems to me that when we see watches defined as "Classic", they are of a quite different shape and design. Often round, with a softer line break etc. That's why I could find strange, but I can understand why we could say "classic" about VH's w... 
login to reply

I see, it's really not the typical PP or breguet type of look instead.

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 21st, 2012-22:54
But with it's design it certainly has become an iconic classic of its own. cheers PAt
login to reply

One of the iconic pieces in the world of independent....

 
 By: Darren : July 21st, 2012-10:50
horology. Vianney Halter, PSM and others were in what I tend to view as the second wave of independents (after S. Andersen and his peers), and in many ways brought the AHCI into the public light. It seems the classic was, for many, their first taste of in... 
login to reply

Thanks Darren for looking

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 21st, 2012-22:56
cheers PAt
login to reply

self explanatory...

 
 By: Hororgasm : July 21st, 2012-13:20
fantastic write up. and qualified writing in that you have owned the Classic for a period of time now. I had mine for couple of years now, though i hardly wear it, its a keeper. I attached VH production figures below. Best, Horo ...  
login to reply

So my wifey's

 
 By: ArthurSG : July 21st, 2012-19:23
Classic with its Salmon dial should be under "dial color not recorded : 29" I presume. Thanks.
login to reply

Thanks Kev. Finally part of the mystery is solved.

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 21st, 2012-22:55
I would be very curious who has the 2 prototypes in Brass. cheers PAt
login to reply

VH's take on the classic 3-hand watch

 
 By: SteveG : July 23rd, 2012-13:33
(thanks for the great writeup and pictures!) is to me every bit as inventive and endearing as his more immediately distinctive watches, when considering the restrictions within which he chose to design. There is no mistaking the style and quality of his w...  
login to reply

hi Steve!

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 23rd, 2012-18:32
Great to see you here. Bernard and you have provided me with much guidance that lead to this acquisition. and million thanks for that! I really don't know if ever Vianney decides to relook at the classic, would he think of just enlarging everything in pro... 
login to reply

A well informed position on size increase Steve

 
 By: ArthurSG : July 23rd, 2012-20:37
and one I fully agree with. Besides, if you want to do something different, DO something different.
login to reply

Hi SteveG

 
 By: SALMANPK : July 24th, 2012-21:00
I remember reading your excellent review on the VH Classic years ago and thank you for that, however regarding the case size, I must say for a 36mm it does wear and feels more like a 33mm, and I blame it on the metal extension from the case to the strap. ... 
login to reply

Great Post Patrick

 
 By: SALMANPK : July 24th, 2012-20:52
I love the Classic, I've owned 3 over the years but the bottom line sad fact is that I don't have the wrist to wear this watch, it looks weird on my wrist, same thing with the Antiqua I owned plus the fact my female co-worker made fun of me :-) for wearin... 
login to reply

hi Salman great to see you here.

 
 By: patrickmaniac : July 24th, 2012-23:07
VH prices are going up and up but akin to prices for art pieces? sha... you shd have sold you classics to me! cheers PAt
login to reply