Marteau: The Echo
Thursday, 12 - Thursday, 19 March 2026

Vianney Halter, Classic

For this particular lot, the Maker’s Fee promised by Marteau & Co. will be allocated to Vianney Halter

Lot Details

The Vianney Halter Classic, launched in 2000, stands today as one of the icons of early 21st-century independent watchmaking. Conceived as a more restrained expression of Halter’s distinctive steampunk-inspired design language, the model balances mechanical imagination with classical proportions. More than two decades on, its riveted case architecture and time only display have aged remarkably well, confirming the enduring strength of its design. The present watch is an exceptionally well-preserved example in pink gold, retaining the warmth and character that define the series. It is further accompanied by a newly issued and freshly signed certificate of authenticity. In their own words: "The construction of the case alone requires approximately 100 hours of handwork. Every element is finished and assembled by hand, as I have always believed that the integrity of a watch begins with its case. The Classic is powered by my VH100 calibre, an automatic self-winding movement with 27 jewels and a 40-hour power reserve, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. To preserve a clear and uninterrupted view of the movement through the sapphire caseback, I developed what I call the “mysterious mass” winding rotor — a solution that allows the mechanics to remain fully visible while maintaining automatic winding efficiency. All decorative work — the Côtes de Genève, the bevellings, and the engraving of the bridges, the dial and mechanism — is executed entirely by hand. Between 2000 and 2010, I made each Classic one by one, in the traditional way. In total, I produced approximately 250 pieces in all material and the level of craftsmanship involved makes every piece unique. I stopped producing this model in 2010 because I realized I was losing money making it. I was pushing the finishing so far that the selling price was no longer appropriate. Lowering the quality was not an option for me, so I decided to stop." - Vianney Halter, founder and master watchmaker of Vianney Halter.