Vianney Halter in Singapore - Antiqua Perpetual Calendar Platinum

Mr. Vianney Halter is in Singapore attending the UltraLuxe event that is currently ongoing between 9th and 13th October 2024 at the Ngee Ann City tent. He came with many of his inventions and in this post, I am showcasing the piece that launched his career - The Antiqua Perpetual Calendar.

IYKYK... The Antiqua Perpetual Calendar was the defining timepiece executed by Vianney Halter.

The timepiece is characterised by 4 "potholes"... One showing the time, one the month of the year plus leap year indication, one showing the day of the week and showing the date.

The main (largest) pothole is for telling time. In this case, this is a piece unique in platinum and with baguette diamonds and sapphires.

The other two smaller pothole windows showing the months and leap year in one and the days of the week in another.

Having seen the Antiqua Perpetual Calendar, I can say that it is wearable i.e. thin enough and small enough.

Photos don't do justice to the timepiece as it is made to look a lot larger than it really is.

On the back is the automatic movement featuring his signature magic (peripheral) rotor.

All said, this is a timepiece that can be worn by either man or woman and it will fit comfortably on the wrist.

Like I said, this is an opportunity to see the timepiece up close and personal. Head on down to UltraLuxe at Ngee Ann City to view it in person. You won't regret it.

Immigrants Gastrobar GTG - Independent Time!

Following our last GTG at Pasarbella, we thought it was a good idea to invite some ladies for this GTG. And what a party it turned out to be!

Thanks to Peter's recommendation, we held this GTG at Immigrants Gastrobar at Joo Chiat. Never before we have a group of more than 30 and in this case, we had 41. Immigrants serves Peranakan Food and for this occasion, we had it buffet style allowing all to mingle, makan, sip and chat.

The menu consisted of Singgang, Ngoh Hiang, grilled Ayam Sioh, Ayam Kalasan, Sambal Buah Kluak, Beef Cheek Rendang (signature dish), banana bud salad with prawns, warm salad of wild ferns, Squid Bombs and for dessert Durian Pengat. For the beef eaters, the beef cheek rendang was superbly cooked - tender beef with the right level of spices. The Singgang is a non-spicy dish of deboned wolf herring, taste much like otah but not as spicy. I like the Ayam Kalasan which was marinated well. The banana bud salad is totally unusual but I liked it a lot too. The squid bomb was probably the most spicy of the lot but also a crowd favorite. Chef Damian did a wonderful job of feeding all of us.

The restaurant seating is a nice mix of table seating and high chair seating.

Some early birds gathered for a chat...

While others started drinks early...

Asahi Super Dry no less… plus red and white wine.

And soon it was dinner time! Some at the tables...

And some at the high tables. Food was a served on a metal plate reminiscent of days past. Totally retro!

And the ang mohs also ate the same...

And not forgetting the ladies too...

Nothing like tucking in to a good meal with wine and beer!

And before you knew it, Lelong time! This is where we put our watches on the table. This time around, the 2 themes were - watches not from the big houses like Swatch, Richemont or LVMH and the second one Special or Limited Editions from any brand. The set up reminds me of a dark seedy gambling den - illegal trading going on! Lelong lelong!

And what a turnout it was! Philippe Dufour Simplicity, Vianney Halter Antiqua, FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Remontoir dEgalité and the list goes on… an impressive range of watches.

Can you identify the watches and the brands?

And since we had ladies for the first time, we had to have the ladies parade their watches too - from left to right IWC, Rolex, Lange, Zenith, Chopard, Jaeger Le-Coultre and Vacheron Constantin.

Look out for the Seiko Star Wars Edition, two Hamiltons, Reedsco, Movas Tourbillon LE, Otium, Habring, MIH, IWC Pocket Watch, Seiko Astron and Nomos World Time.

And the three very desired pieces...

And the most desired piece for the night must be the Simplicity by Philippe Dufour. Seen here being examined by Suzanne under a loupe. She was hoping for a trade with Peter but alas, one Rolex in solid gold (bracelet) does not equal a Simplicity.

So engrossed were we with the watches that I totally forgotten to take photos of the dessert (durian pengat). But we were lucky enough as Lionel brought some macaroons, courtesy of Mrs Lionel. The durian pengat was nice but wish there was more durian flesh in it.

And here is another less seen piece - the De Bethune DB27. Unmistakably De Bethune.

And one of the watch that created quite a buzz - The Seiko Presage 100th Anniversary Enamel Dial. Limited to 500 each, the watch pays homage to the first Seiko wristwatch.

I am sure by the end of the night, all present were happy - good food, great company and an excellent range of watches. Much thanks to Chef Damian, Gareth, Joel and all at the Immigrants who made the occasion a lot more enjoyable. In our past gatherings, we have never had so many watches on the table. This is definitely one of the more successful GTG. Plus the presence of 11 ladies… what more can we ask for?

Immigrants Gastrobar, 467 Joo Chiat Road. Opens for dinner only.

Super Machines & Horological Machines - Independents Part 3

The Super Machines and Horological Heroes exhibition (18-30 Sep 2013) brought together some very talented Independent Watchmakers and Vianney Halter definitely qualifies.

Vianney was in Singapore a couple of months ago to launch his Deep Space Tourbillon and I was hoping to catch him again this time around but alas, that was not to be. He could not make this trip due to some injury.

Still that did not stop him from bringing the iconic pieces for the exhibition. The "breakthrough" piece must be the Antiqua. A perpetual calendar displayed in the most unorthodox way. I first saw the Antiqua back in 2004 when it was displayed in the Tempus Exhibition by the Hour Glass. See only… no way to afford, not even now.

Using portholes to individually display the information, The Antiqua was ahead of its time. There is the time display at the "One O'Clock" position, then the small window at the traditional "Four O'Clock". At the "Seven O'Clock" position is the month and leap-year indicator and lastly, the display at the "Ten O'Clock" shows the day of the week.

Beating at the back is the in-house calibre VH198 with the mysterious mass rotor. No detail is spared with the Antiqua - even right down to the winding crown. The rivets and portholes are the hallmark of all Vianney's creation except the Deep Space Tourbillon & the Goldpfeil.

Equally unusual is the Trio which features a Big Date complication with separate small seconds. Folowing on the Antiqua, the Trio still features the signature porthole/rivets characteristic. On the main porthole, there is also a Day/Night indicator.

With the exception of the Goldpfeil and the Deep Space Tourbillon, all other Vianney's creations feature his signature porthole and rivets making it easily identifiable and iconic. Someday, I will want one of the Classics.

And Vianney, we wish you speedy recovery. The Japanese Whisky is still waiting for you!