There recently was a question raised on this forum about the HTO Grand Voyageur, designed by Vianney Halter. I left an inquiry on their web site (www.hto-watches.com) which resulted in a very pleasant exchange with Mr. Mariez, their Marketing and Sales Manager. Philippe, je vous remercie!
In summary, the Grand Voyageur is indeed designed by vianney Halter, and comes in a large variety of dial colours. It is avalable in stainless steel and white gold. MSRP for the steel version range from from 3 330 Euros (excluding VAT) for the watch with a rubber strap to 3 496 Euros (excluding VAT) for the same with an alligator or a galuchat strap.
I then asked about the choice of movement, and received a long reply from Mr. Mariez, which I would like to quote in full:
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"Grand Voyageur needed autonomy, accuracy, précision, convenience and durability that can only be given by a movement designed and manufactured in Switzerland.
Among all the movements available from the most famous manufactures, Vianney Halter, member of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI – Association of Watchmaking of Independant Watchmakers) and manufacturer under his own brand of exceptionnal timekeepers, recommended the choice of the Motor Duplex, based on the ETA 205.911caliber.
This movement can be considered as the ultimate outcome of the swiss horology which began more than 5 centuries ago.
As suggested by its name, Duplex presents a double nature, both mechanical and electronic : as in all automatic winding wathces, a rotor is moved on by the mouvment of the wrist. But the energy which recovered like this is not stored in a spiral spring : it is transmitted to a microgenerator which converts it into electric energy, stored in an accumulator.
This system feeds an electronic oscillator which generates the command signals for a micromotor. The latter transmits mechanical impulsions to the gearwheels for the display of hours, minutes, secondes and date.
Thanks to this system, Duplex gives Grand Voyageur, as a glance to its universe of reference, a 6 degree step by step advance for the seconf hand, similar to the second hand progression on the platform clock from which it is inspired.
Moreover, Duplex gives Grand Voyageur, a full load autonomy of about 100 days, which can be even more increased by the stand by device and can be indefinitely restored by a few movements of the wrist.
Duplex is battery free, which is in compliance with the environmental requirements and roots this watch in a determined modernity which also respects the classical canons of the horology tradition.
« Wtithin 10 or 20 years, Vianney Halte forecasts, the majority of quality watches will be fitted with such movements. Of course, exceptionnal creations will sitll remain and perpetuate the tradition of purely mechanical horology for the pleasure of unconditionnal connoiseurs, but the future of swiss horology can not ignore such a technical evolution which comply with the most demanding requirements in terms of quality, convenience and respect of the environment. »
Relying on this recommendation, HTO watches has concluded with the Manufacture Janvier and ETA, the swiss caliber main manufacturer, an agreement so as to be able to fit Grand Voyageur with Duplex. The main components of it can be seen through the saphire back glass.
The lovers of classical mechanic will find the charm of the oscillating mass and the finishing touch of the bridges and the various micro-mechanical components, realized in the great tradition of horology. The most demanding people in terms of accuracy will enjoy the regularity of the integrated electronic oscillator.
Duplex is the mechanical heart of Grand Voyageur ; the concept of the latter is in perfect compliance with the caracteristics and the quality of the former. This gives to the whole a great consistency."
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You may agree or not with the choice of movement, but in my opinion the Grand Voyageur certainly shows the spirit and genius of VH. I am intrigued.
I'll upload new pictures with some more dial variations, but in the meantime you can see the watch at their web site.
The HTO web site acknowledges the designs by two other HTO members not Vianney. Did Mr. Mariez indicate why the HTO web site does not acknowledge his design contribution, unless I mess-up the translation. His services are identified as the manufacturer. Is Vianney building these in his operations along with the Harry Winston Opus and VH lines?
Looking at their site it seems Vianney is responsible for the design and manufacture of the movement. Constructeur translates to designer in English watch speak. So, a Swiss, French, German, Austrian... watchmaker when asked "what stage is the project in?" may answer, "I am doing the construction," which doesn't mean they are making/building the watch, as an English speaker may believe, but that they are in the design process.
The other two named designers (one being Pascal Pagés who is Vianney's designer) are responsible for the watches appearance; its look.
Quote:
The AHCI was started by founding fathers Vincent Calabrese and Svend Andersen in 1985 with the intent of preserving and encouraging the pure art and craft of mechanical watchmaking.
Why is this post on this site?
perhaps because Vinney Halter is a member of the AHCI?
May 23 2004, 10:14 PM
There for talking about diverse work he has done helps towards 'preserving and encouraging the pure art and craft of mechanical watchmaking.' by memebers of the AHCI.
V. Halter IS a member of AHCI albeit he had an own stand in Basel together>
May 24 2004, 1:34 AM
with Ph. Dufour. The AHCI stand was in the middle, framed by Halter/Dufour on one side and Calabrese on the other side each with an own stand, but all the three are members of AHCI even though they had their own stand.
to the post if Vianney Halter's name wasn't associated in some way. Just because Halter is an ACHI member
does priveleged membership extend to companies using him as a consultant. I must admit I am disturbed by the responses to the original message which is so obviously commercial leading me to question the integrity of the site. I enormously admire Halter and this isn't aimed at him as a watchmaker.
I am totally puzzled (and not a little upset) by your post
May 24 2004, 11:11 AM
HTO was co-founded by Mr. Halter, and the Grand Voyageur was displayed in the Halter-Dufour booth at Basel, I am told. I do trust the integrity of these gentlemen. I don't understand how you can characterise my first message as "obviously commercial", as I am in no way connected to HTO or VH, and my post was intended as information only. Personally, this watch is not for me, but I admire the design philosophy behind it, which at least is related to the creations of VH. How my post (and the following discussion) leads you to doubt the integrity of the Purists is a complete mystery to me. Please explain.
"Grand Voyageur needed autonomy, accuracy, précision, convenience and durability that can only be given by a movement designed and manufactured in Switzerland."
This isn't commercial? I didn't realize Halter was a co-owner. I don't want to fight about it. I just offered my opinion. Isn't this what forums are about? Or are we obliged to ooh and ah about everything Halter does?
You are not obliged to "ooh" over anything posted here. Feel free to critique, as long as it is done in a civil manner.
From what I gathered on the HTO site, Vianney Halter is the designer and maker of the movmements, with his designer, Pascal Pagés, and another designer being responsible for the outer aesthetics.
Vianney Halter is an Academy member and any project that he is involved in (any independent) is of interest to this forum. If you find this questionable or a compromise of our integrity, well, that is your opinion and one that you may have, substantiated or not, just as it is your choice to frequent this forum or not. You are not obliged.
That was a quote from the mail I received from HTO >>
May 24 2004, 1:12 PM
Personally I don't care much for autoquartz movements, and in fact I asked the people at HTO whether they would consider mechanical movements. The reply you saw.
Anyway, I'll be happy to discuss this further, as I am a great admirer of Vianney Halter. But please don't assume any motives behind my posts. If you search for previous posts here and elsewhere from me, you might have to conclude that I speak for Rainer Nienaber, Girard-Perregaux, BMW, Belgian breweries and Scottish distilleries, a low-carb diet, NASA, ESA, the publishers of Bach cantatas and Victorian scientific romances, etc., etc.,......
I'll be looking forward to any exchange of opinions in the spirit of the Purists forum, on this and other topics.
I understood the message was from HTO and that you were relaying it. I would term their message an "infomercial". The initial premise which I quoted above makes that clear.
Since it was about a nonmechanical watch it didn't seem to me to fit in the AHCI site and I said so. And in the light of the Seiko and Citizen accomplishments with such watches one can certainly dispute their initial premise. Help me out Mr. Forster. I don't mind being PNGed.
I just received another email from HTO, Mr Mariez apparently reads this forum. Again, I will simply quote the contents of the email for info.
QUOTE STARTS NOW
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Jean Yves MARIEZ, graduated of the Arts Déco de Paris School, is designer
since 1987. Among other things, he used to work on the concept of the
platform clock 93700 for the French Railway (SNCF) and on others projects
related to the railway universe. Presently, he is a regular consultant of
many companies for the developpement of their products.
The initial idea of a wristwatch inspired by the railway universe was his
and to make it possible he explained his project and his drafts to a
colleage of his : Pascal Pages
Pascal PAGES is also a designer since he left the Arts Appliqués de Paris
School. Motivated by a strong willingness for working in the horology
domain, he first contributed to several details of the Petite et Grande
Sonnerie watch of Philippe DUFOUR. Afterward, he has been collaborating with
Vianney HALTER for the creation of several models, specially the Moon Phase
and Jumping Hour Watch for Goldpfeil Geneva and Opus 3 for Harry Winston
Rare Timepieces.
Last, but not least, the contribution of a watchmaker is indispensable since
the beginning of such a project to ensure the result to be consistant and
respectful of the canons of the horology.
Pascal Pagès proposed to arrange a meeting with Vianney Halter
That is the reason why at the beginning of winter 2000,those three met at
the Manufacture Janvier in Sainte Croix in the heart of the swiss Jura.
Vianney Halter, the father of whom was a train conductor, warmly welcomed
them and their project and decided to be a part of it.
The experiences of these three gentlemen, two designers plus one talentful
watchmaker, acquired in differents domains, worked together in perfect
synergy during the design process of Grand Voyageur.
As a result, it can be said that Grand Voyageur is a six-handed-work (or a
three-brain-work, or both).
It is not strictly speaking a product "Montres Vianney Halter" and is not
sold under this brand, as it is quite different from an Antiqua, a Classic
or a Trio in terms of design, materials, mechaniccal choices and also price
positionning.
But it is a venture Vianney Halter is proudly involved in which allows him
to express in a different way his convictions about modern horology.
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END OF QUOTE
Re: To complete the details of Vianney Halter's work....
May 26 2004, 1:56 AM
Dear Bernard,
Inspired by the work of Ferdinand Berthoud, Vianney Halter and Jeffrey Barnes have drawn the Antiqua, Pascal Pages was already in touch with Vianney at that time, but contributed only in the later models, i.e. the Goldpfeil Moonphase and the Harry Winston Opus 3 and all the projects waiting in our drawers. Regards, Mark
...powered by ETA Autoquartz technology. I wonder if this one has auto-shutdown functionality; i.e. the watch will stop four hours after you put it down and restart after you pick it back up.
