The Antiqua Perpetual is one of Vianney Halter's most celebrated pieces, offering a perpetual calendar with each mechanism taking on its own dial display. Whether you’re a fan of the Belle Époque, or the steampunk genre, Vianney Halter’s interpretation of the “Futur Anterieur” or “Future Past” (as he describes it) offers an innovative take on modern watchmaking.
The Antiqua was the first of the “Futur Anterieur” collection (introduced at Baselworld in 1998) having been designed and constructed entirely in the workshop of Janvier SA, in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland. This rose-gold example comes as a full-set, with its original winding-box, Certificate of Authenticity and accompanying materials.
In the design, the Antiqua was developed to fully-display the ‘complete calendar’, with four separate, multi-level platinum dials. The upper-left dial displays the day (indicated by the first letters of each), jumping at midnight, whilst the current month indication (visible through the lower-left dial) makes use of the same principle. The time-display and date-window make up the right-side. Both the hand-engraved numerals and text on the dials are filled with black enamel - which never fades, unlike printed dials. A further level of depth is added in the form of hand-finished, curved, blued-steel hands. The rose-gold case is comprised of 30 different component types (making up almost 100 pieces total), with no fewer than 104 machined-gold rivets throughout.
The Antiqua Perpetual is powered by the Cal. VH198 (based on the Lemania 8810). This VH198 movement not only displays finishing of the highest quality, with hand-decorated components, but it was also redesigned by Vianney Halter. Whilst the VH198 shares many of the same impressive mechanical elements as the Cal. 8810 (balance-wheel, anchor, escape-wheel and gear wheels), the unique bridges and baseplate are designed by Vianney. With this, the perpetual calendar complication and automatic-winding system are also completely redesigned (and produced at La Manufacture Janvier).
Visible though the sapphire display back, the VH198 calibre is fitted with a patented ”mysterious mass” winding rotor. Using this system, the oscillating mass is hidden behind a peripheral ring, with no apparent link to the central rotor. This allows for a complete, uninterrupted view of the movement. The self-winding VH198 calibre oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 A/h, with a power-reserve of 35 hours.
This Antiqua Perpetual comes on an original, hand-sewn brown alligator strap, with matching rose-gold, tang buckle.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
Closer look
| Brand: |
Vianney Halter |
| Model: |
Antiqua Perpetual Calendar |
| Movement: |
mechanical automatic Cal. VH198 |
| Functions: |
perpetual calendar (leap year indicator, month, date, weekday), hours, minutes |
| Features: |
display back, blue steel hands |
| Case: |
36 mm 18-carat rose gold |
| Crystal: |
sapphire front and back |
| Bracelet: |
brown alligator strap with rose gold VH tang buckle |
| Box & papers: |
full-set: winding-box, papers, accessories |
This rare, Vianney Halter Antiqua watch is in mint condition, and has perfect mechanical functionality. The watch is a full set, with winding box, papers and accompanying materials. It comes with a two-year mechanical warranty and a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
