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Steyr
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Four weeks with Vianney Halter

I like the way English name them : watchmakers. This sounds, I must admit, much better than the French wording (horloger). But on the other hand, the word watchmaker might be too restrictive. Indeed how many watchmaker will you see in Baselword this year ? How many people these days are making a watch as by their naming?

 
Well I met one last October. Later, I got lucky among the luckiest and spent four weeks in Manufacture Janvier.

 
As an horology enthusiast I jumped on the Antiqua’s catalog in 2001. In 2003, as a watchmaker student (night courses) I have always consider Vianney Halter as my ideal as a watchmaker. As I was reaching the end of my studies with a 4 weeks internship I only made one application.

Four weeks is far not enough to learn about making a watch, but fair enough to know what it means. In Manufacture Janvier, it means :

• design the movement / test it / develop it
• make each of its part (well let’s cut this short: on the Trio, not the stones, nor the balance stuffs)
• make the dial/hands
• make the case
• make the box
• make the buckle
• make the watchwinder included in the box
• make the finishing…

And all this, at a level of quality that is rarely seen.

When I first visited the manufacture, I was pretty sure, the cases were made outside as it usually is a tough part of the work. I didn’t find any polishing lathe so I thought the finishing of the case was made outside as well. I saw the wooden box but who would be crazy enough to build the included watch winder (Antiqua). The hardening of those little springs ? Well I thought they would come in a box by thousands. The dial, I had seen the magnificent work of the engravers but who would imagine that an Antiqua dial would need two weeks of hand engraving ? And why ?

So, I am going to flood you about Vianney Halter for a few days but I really think this worth to know what a watchmaker is doing.

No need to say, but I am doing it anyway : I love IWCs, Panerai, Breguet, Omega, Breitling, I own several of these and will surely continue to enjoy and buy. I would love to add a Vianney Halter, Voutilainen, or so, but my wife said “no” (not to give you the extended version). I mean, I am not here to sale Vianney Halter, nor to say that except for him, rest is crap. I think you got my point, it’s just that I had this unique opportunity to explore Janvier from the inside and am enthusiastic to share with you what makes me dream in doing this job.

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