Vianney Halter ART DECO METROPOLIS

 ART DECO METROPOLIS
An ode to Decorative, Industrial and Modern arts.
Limited production of 5 - 7 pieces maximum per year

Name: Art Deco Metropolis
Functions: hour, minute, second
Size: 39.8mm diameter, 8.2mm
thickness (11.85mm with glass)
Case: Titanium and 18Kt gold rivets
Dial: Titanium and 18Kt gold
Movement: VH122
Balance frequency: 21’600 v.p.h.
Jewels: 30 rubies
Winding: automatic, fitted with
the patented VH « mysterious »
winding mass
Power reserve: 56 hours

The ART DECO METROPOLIS stands as a legacy from the Classic, to which I made some deep transformations. Its Modern Streamline case and dial boast a tridimensional architecture. The lug bases became rectangular geometric ornaments. Massive gold rivets and crown reminds one of the Belgian type 12 locomotives, the epitome of futuristic speed.

The sapphire is heavily beveled – a shape that is typical from the 1920’s – enabeling the possibility to slim down the cas e. This configuration allows us to fully appreciate the details and volumes of the 3-part dial, for which each material texture has been worked for enhanced contrast, depth and light. The titanium center is hand engraved, to contrast with the diamond cut radiating solid gold rays. The Art Deco font is applied to the blued circle-brushed titanium ring with railway indices on the outer rim that expand thanks to the sapphire window geometry. Alternating textures on the dial create a shimmer, underscored by brushed and polished steel geometric hands.

The VH122 automatic caliber is entirely decorated using traditional methods and is made of maillechort (also called german silver), the same material used to make quality pocket watches. This metal permits a finer finishing than brass. It oxidizes very little and needs no surface coating. If needed, decorations can be redone and the beauty of the caliber will be kept during many decades of servicing.