THE WATCH-MAKER
This section is dedicated to Vianney Halter’s universe. Here you will navigate between his inspirations, his life and his working ethos.
« As far as I remember, I have always been doing mechanics. As a child, I dreamt of understanding, designing and crafting wacky mechanical items. My creations speak my mind and thanks to them, I can share my universe with other human beings.“ – VH
KEY MOMENTS
Vianney Halter was born in Suresnes, in Paris outskirts, in 1963. At the age of fourteen he set his mind on deepening his knowledge of mechanics, took the train to the capital and enrolled himself at the Ecole Horlogère de Paris (Paris Watchmaking School). After graduating in 1980, Vianney Halter spent the first ten years of his professional life restorating antique horological items. This gave him a broad knowledge about the art of horology…
CREATIVE UNIVERSE
His father was a train driver for French National Railways. In his oldest memories, he remembers his father bringing home old machines and mechanical parts that fascinated him. In a way, early exposure to powerful locomotives, steam engines and control instruments might be the origin of Vianney‘s attraction to mechanics and engineering.
BEING INDEPENDENT
Being independant is a fundamental characteristic of Vianney Halter. He has been an independant watchmaker since 1984, first as a pendulum clock repairmain, then horological developper. In 1998, he makes his first watch. By creating his own watch models, independance became even more important to him. Keeping one’s independance is to be free, and it is through this freedom that one finds inspiration and can materialize it.
AWARDS
These 22 years of independence spent perpetuating watchmaking arts and his contribution to the contemporary horological landscape have won him nine prizes. The quality of his expertise placed him as one of the 64 players who were selected for the White Book of the FHH (Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie). The white book aims to delineate the idea and principles of Haute Horlogerie.
Best Men’s Watch for the Deep Space Tourbillon, SIWP 2017, Geneva – Gaïa Prize, in the Craftsmanship and Creation category, La Chaux-de-Fonds 2016 – Hall of Fame Prize, Temporis 2016, Bucharest – Best Design Watch Prize for the Deep Space Tourbillon, Salon Des Grandes Complications 2015, Dubai – Watch of the Year Prize for the Deep Space Tourbillon, by Passion Horlogère, Paris 2013 – Design & Innovation Prize for the Deep Space Tourbillon, GPHG 2013 – Best Watchmaker Prize, GPHG 2011 – Best Craftsmen Master Prize, Premios R&E 2008, Madrid – Innovation Prize with Harry Winston for the Opus 3, GPHG 2003 (Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prize)