Vianney Halter Contemporaine
Introduced in 2001, the Vianney Halter Contemporaine is the first model from the independent watchmaker’s 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 seal of Vianney Halter’s creativity. This second collection of Les Montres Vianney Halter is known as “Halter Tempus”.
The collection is a merger of the innovative ideas of a master watchmaker with the expressive genius of a designer. This collection challenges time in its own fashion.
The first model in the “Halter Tempus” collection is the Contemporaine. This watch is a more modern looking derivation of the Antiqua and is a concept ” out of time “. 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 future in the form of new models.
The Contemporaine derives from the Antiqua the concept of displaying the various functions by means of several dials gathered onto a round case.
However, that is where the comparison ends as the Contemporaine drops the characteristic elements of the “Futur Antérieur” collection and offers an “out of time” style. Smaller than the Antiqua, the Contemporaine suits the slimmer wrist or those seeking a more refined discretion.
The Vianney Halter Contemporaine watch features an original display composed of four discrete dials. In the larger dial, hours and minutes are indicated with classical hands. On the left, a smaller dial shows the day of week and the date appears below in a tiny aperture. A final dial displays the moonphase.
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 Contemporaine is fitted with the automatic caliber VH300 with 36 jewels. The VH300 is built on the base of mechanical elements – balance wheel and gear wheels- shared with the Lemania caliber 8810. However, the VH300t uses specific baseplate and bridges designed by Vianney Halter and manufactured at La Manufacture Janvier as well as the moonphase complication and the automatic winding mechanism. The balance wheel frequency is 28’800 oscillations per hour. The power reserve is approximately 40 hours.
To preserve an uninterrupted view of the VH300 caliber through the sapphire display back, the Contemporaine is fitted with the so-called “mysterious mass” winding rotor.
The Vianney Halter Contemporaine is only available in platinum. There is also a Contemporaine Joaillerie, the case of which is set of diamonds, sapphire or ruby jewels. The watch is supplied with a hand-sewn leather strap available in several colours and made of genuine alligator or goat leather. The strap has a tang buckle matching the case metal. The Contemporaine is delivered in its box with a certificate of authenticity.
