Having had a “slowly” paced day three, we were rejuvenated for an hour-long drive out of the Vallee and up the windy mountain roads to Sainte Croix where we had three visits scheduled. Our first stop was with master of mechanics, the Maestro, Vianney Halter.
Greeting us at Vianney’s multilevel workshop was Stew Lesemann. Stew is Vianney’s head watchmaker and should be familiar to some of you, as he is a friend to this forum. With two hours of tour time and much to cover we made quick work of the introductions and began the tour. Vianney was not present to start the tour (taking care of some business), but would join us shortly. Entering a large room with many machines, workers (watchmakers and apprentices), windows all around and music blasting… the tour began. There are so many machines in the workshop that much time was spent on “what is that?” “what does that do?” and the like. One such question was answered, “We use this machine for Cotes de Geneve. I know you saw the Master, Dufour, apply Geneva Waves, but I will show you how we do it.” As Stew was demonstrating and answering questions about Geneva Waves, a small but well muscled man darted behind and quickly began cutting a wheel. This was Vianney. Once Stew had finished Vianney left his work and introduced himself to the group. From this point forward, Vianney would lead the group, with Stew helping as Vianney’s English is much improved, but still in need of help from time to time.
A few things are quickly apparent as we follow Vianney through the workshop. For one thing, you can’t help but like him. He is always ready to laugh and joke, especially when he is the target! He love machines – they are everywhere. And, he loves mechanics and mechanical solutions. Vianney is the type of guy who, for example, may have a machine with a broken drive. He can order a replacement and have the machine up and running in a day at minimal cost. OR, he can scavenge about – “I’ll use this old motor from the clothes dryer and hoses from here, a little of this…” and five days later he will have had repaired the broken machine and, in all likelihood, made it better. It is for the practical and intellectual exercise that he does this – for the love and joy of mechanics and clever solutions. Brilliant!
Do you all know the TV show Monster Garage? The host, Jesse James, will take an ordinary vehicle and make it do something wild, besides functioning as a proper vehicle. Like, for example, turning a Ford Mustang into a lawnmower. The doors open, cylindrical blades release from the doors and BAM! You’re cutting the grass a 60 mph! Well, Vianney seems the same way to me. Imagine Vianney working at his micro precision drill press, “I could use an espresso, but I don’t want to get up and stop working…. Hmm….” A week later, he has a drill press that also makes espresso!
Anyway, we saw the whole shop and all that goes on. From making parts, plating dials, polishing/finishing hands, assembling watches to finished article. It was fantastic! As an added bonus, towards the end of the tour Peter Speake-Marin unexpectedly dropped in to see Vianney. We were headed for lunch and asked Peter to join us. What an added treat for the guys on the tour.
Lunch was excellent, with Vianney and Peter holding court on one end of the table and Stew and his lovely wife, Lara, holding court on the other end. Good food, good company.
Enjoy the pictures!
Stew Discusses and Demonstrates Geneva Waves
Vianney at Work
At Work
"Hand" Work
The Big Machine Shop
Antiqua in Bits
For The Ladies
Opus 3
Lunch
Peter Speake-Marin's One-Minute Tourbillon, with repetition - passed around during lunch
After lunch we went to a jewel maker in Sainte-Croix. The visit was quick and interesting, but photographs were not allowed. So, the next installment will be of the third visit of the day, which was with automat maker, Francois Junod. Please stay tuned.
Cheers,
Curtis
