Vianney Halter - The Unique La Resonance

Mr. Vianney Halter was in Singapore attending the UltraLuxe event that just concluded at the Ngee Ann City tent. He came with many of his inventions and I am presenting the one that is somewhat special - the La Resonance.

What' so special about the La Resonance you might say... well, I believe this is the only resonance timepiece where their balance wheels are stacked one on top of the other rather than side by side.

While there are brands out there that make pieces with the resonance complication, none as I know make them in this manner. In fact, Vianney told me that he had this idea since 1996. But several significant events came first - the launch of the Deep Space Tourbillon then the Deep Space Resonance and now the La Resonance.

The Deep Space Tourbillon (pictured above) is a Triple Axis Tourbillon that was launched in 2013. Collectors and enthusiasts took notice as there are not many independent watchmakers who have the capability to make such a complication... One other fact - Vianney told me that for the prototype, he made the doomed sapphire glass himself. Apparently, there was no one at that time who made a doomed sapphire glass. He had to change his machinery and make the glass himself. Incredible!

Having launched the Deep Space Tourbillon, Vianney then went on the better himself by creating the Deep Space Resonance (pictured above). Not only did he developed the Triple Axis Tourbillon himself, he now incorporated a synchronised balance wheel too... Talk about impressive! Astonishing to say the least. Now back to the La Resonance...

What's so impressive you might say? Well, the case is made of titanium and so are the skeletonised bridges. The watch head alone weighs a hefty 36 grams without strap or buckle! No, I did not make a mistake it is really 36 grams.

As I have mentioned before, most resonance timepieces have both balance wheels side by side. But in the case of La Resonance, both balance wheels are stacked one on top of the other.

The side window at the 3 o'clock position clearly shows off the complication.

Some close up shots of the double balance wheel...

I initially though Vianney created the Deep Space Resonance first before adapting the concept to the La Resonance but actually, it is the other way around. According to Vianney, the inspriation of the concept of resonance came to him in 1996. Having done the Deep Space Resonance, he decided to embark on his initial design and incorporated his invention into the La Resonance - less the Triple Axis Toourbillon.

The La Resonance is a seriously spellbinding piece. So much to like about it and so little to complain about. For what it is, this is a unique resonance timepiece.

This is one amazing timepiece - from the complication to the weight of the piece, this piece is nothing short of breathtaking. Hope you like the coverage of this very unique resonance timepiece.

Feature of the Month - Vianney Halter's Deep Space Tourbillon

It is not everyday one gets to meet a watchmaking legend and I was lucky enough to meet the man - Mr. Vianney Halter. Watchmaker extraordinaire - a legend and a true artist. That is why he is The Feature of the Month.

In town to launch his new Deep Space Tourbillon, I was lucky to handle his latest creation. I am sure by now Vianney will be used to words like Creative, Visionary, Genius just to name a few, I must say the Deep Space Tourbillon (DST) is a departure from his often recognized rivet style watches. But what a departure!

The DST as taken from the press kit. Many watch brands start a "new" watch by developing what they want. If they want to make a tourbillon watch, they go design a tourbillon. With Vianney, he started with a blank sheet and sought inspiration and as with many creative souls took themselves away from the main field just so they will not be saturated by their surroundings. The result is a space inspired watch which represents time in four dimensions.

Vianney feels that to represent those four dimensions is to use a tourbillon - a triple axis tourbillon at that. Three axes - up, down and depth all difficult to differentiate in outer space due to the lack of gravity. And the fourth dimension is Time. The tourbillon (1st axis) rotates in 40 seconds while the "Rotisserie" like main carriage (2nd axis) rotates in 6 minutes and the watch's main plate rotates in 30 minutes (3rd axis). Mesmerizing is the only words I can use to describe the movement of the tri-axis tourbillon. The picture of the tourbillon from the press kit.

On the hand, the watch is lighter and smaller than one anticipates. The titanium case ensures the lightness and the dome-shaped sapphire glass gives the watch an out of this world feeling. Wears well on the wrist even as it measures 46mm in diameter. The manual winding in-house VH 113 calibre has a power reserve of 55 hours.

My poor attempt at capturing the watch. Apologies as I had not brought my camera - not sure if it would have made much difference given my skills…

Many thanks to The Hourglass for hosting the event and the invite. After several years of hiatus, THE MAN IS BACK! Deep Space Tourbillon is the result when Inspiration meets a talented Genius.