Trio Grande Date | White Gold

This is one of 10 examples of the Vianney Halter Trio* in white gold. Part of the Futur Antérieur collection, this Trio continues the watchmaker’s experimentation with his retro-futuristic, steampunk aesthetic. Introduced in 2007, it features a decentralised display, with a day/night indicator and an independent, quickset date display. It is powered by Halter’s patented sapphire mystery winding rotor.

Known for his futuristic and stylised steampunk aesthetic, Vianney Halter's work pushes the boundaries of traditional watchmaking codes, reimagining form and structure. The Trio Grande Date was introduced in 2007, as part of Halter's Futur Antérieur collection. The series imagined a future seen through the visions of science fiction writers Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. The first watches were born of a collaboration with Jeff Barnes, an American graphic designer with a longstanding interest in horology. His aesthetic spoke to Halter’s own sensibilities.

The case is an ingot of white gold, with a gentle curvature to its rectangular form. Halter experimented with a similar shape a few years prior, in a watch that was one of several German jewellery house Goldpfeil commissioned a small number of independent watchmakers to create a series of watches.

However, the Trio is more distinctly in the vein of Halter's earlier pieces, bearing several design hallmarks such as the hand-pressed rivets and the decentralised and dispersed displays. The Trio is brushed up top with bevelled edges giving way to a perfectly flat flanks, finely mirror polished. The case is 44mm long and 32mm wide, with its curvature wrapping comfortably around the natural form of the wrist.

The dial side view brings to mind a meter display. The primary time display is much like the ones found in the Antiqua and Classic, which predate this Trio. Placed so that the dial is slightly sunken, the silver dial features an engraved chapter of sector-style minutes followed by one of Arabic numerals, both filled with black enamel paint applied by hand. The watchmaker's initials and the brand mark are also done in this same fashion. A day/night indicator is discretely integrated in this register. Blued hands complete the look, adding a touch of colour to the silvered tones. While the outer rim of the dial is finished in satiné circulaire, the inner dial features a frosted finish. This is surrounded by a brushed, stepped bezel with 12 rivets that correspond to the Arabic chapter of hours and that takes inspiration from a ship's porthole.

The seconds sub-dial and date apertures are lower down on the surface, with the seconds sub-dial in a very similar style to the main dial. Meanwhile, the Grande Date was a new feature used by Halter, implementing a two-disc display system intended to improve the readability of the date. This also integrated a gear configuration that allowed both the date and time to be changed independently through the crown, with a quick set function for the date. The crown itself bears rivets that add texture, while further supporting the watch's style.

The watch is fitted with the VH205 calibre, visible through the ovoid aperture on the caseback. The movement makes use of Halter's sapphire mystery rotor, an intriguing detail that gives this automatic piece the appearance of a manual-winding watch. Furthermore, collectors will be able to appreciate Halter's finishing techniques, with beautiful Geneva stripes found throughout, as well as sharp bevelling and anglage seen across all the parts. Beating at a 21,600 vibrations per hour, the calibre enjoys 70 hours of reserve when fully wound.

This Trio comes with its box, warranty and instruction paperwork. It is a particularly satisfying execution of Halter’s particular and timeless retro-futuristic aesthetic.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Vianney Halter Trio Grande Date will be subject to 20% VAT

Closer look

Condition

This Vianney Halter Trio Grande Date is in excellent condition. The brushed portion of the case shows virtually no signs of wear, on the polished sides are light superficial marks visible only on the very surface of the material. The dials and hands show no signs of imperfections and have been well preserved. On the caseback, all hallmarks and engravings are crisp and well defined.

While the movement is in also in very good cosmetic condition, there are several small particles visible, which suggest the oils are dry and a service is recommended. This can be arranged with Vianney Halter at the buyer's expense.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year, limited warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.