HALDIMANN – H1 Flying Central Tourbillon

HALDIMANN – H1 Flying Central Tourbillon

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Watchmaking is a tradition that goes back centuries for the Haldimann family, to 1642 precisely. A mechanical wizard and the inventor of the flying central tourbillon, Beat Haldimann is surely the pride of his ancestors.

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This child of the Bernese Oberland believes watches are first and foremost pieces of art. Moreover, time is nothing more than a pretext for his concept of watchmaking.

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It should come as no surprise, therefore, that production never exceeds a handful of pieces a year.

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The H1 Flying Central Tourbillon is one of these rare works. Fitted with three barrels, it has been entirely designed, developed and produced in the Haldimann workshops in Thun.

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The platinum or gold case is also crafted in-house and hand-finished.

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This watch's classic aesthetic, together with its mechanical sobriety, unequivocally convey the brand's artistic vocation.

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Were there a competition for the most beautiful flying central tourbillon, few if any could challenge the H1.

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 Familientradition seit 1642

We aim to explore the limits of what the human hand is capable of achieving. It is only as a manufacturer in the truest sense of the word that we can pursue this aim, with machines and instruments that we operate with our hands. Computerised machines would make it impossible to reach this goal. The warmth of the watchmaker's hand blends with his delicate movements to achieve his impressive performance. From the raw material up until the first sound of the melody. This essence is later attached to the wrist of the future owner. From there it enters his perception and is transferred to him.

Our values

Our oeuvres are the result of a unique make and workmanship involved in the creation process. Their perfection and individuality can be attributed to our values. These values originate in our tradition to which we adhere. A family tradition of innovation since 1642. It was father and son, Ulrich and Hans Haldimann, who established this tradition.

Since 1642 Haldimann has been producing exclusively mechanical movements and watches in Switzerland to be delivered to their proud owners all over the world. A Haldimann philosophy and mentality has been cultivated over the centuries, in unison with the formation of Switzerland. Within this philosophy we distinguish twelve aspects that we have been cultivating in particular. These aspects are represented in our brand logo with its twelve phases of the moon.

Preposition

When I close my eyes I can still see him in front of me: the master watchmaker who was my instructor. His loupe, hands, and lab coat remain vivid memories for me today. I spent my apprenticeship years in his wonderful workshop as a clock and watch repairer, learning how to restore new and old masterpieces.

Among this magnificent blend of art and technology, combining craftsmanship and intellect, I soon developed the ambition to create such masterpieces myself.

Design, manufacture, and production are all executed in our own workshop, which enables us to combine art, technology and quality at the highest level.

Haldimann clocks and watches are all individual and unique pieces. We can therefore consider all your ideas and suggestions when creating your very own timepiece.

The Haldimann family tradition reaches back to 1642. The original Haldimann creations of this era continue to give pleasure to customers all over the world. We look forward to welcoming you personally and answering any queries at our workshop or at Baselworld.

BEAT HALDIMANN

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Family tradition

Haldimann is the oldest watch manufacturer of Switzerland led and owned by the name-giving family. Haldimann Horology pursuits longterm ideals. Their independence and autonomy serve as key prerequisites. Unhindered creativity as well as the highest quality standards and complete in-house production have been the characteristics of each Haldimann watch and movement over centuries.
1374   
Heinrich Haldemann, member of the council of Winterthur
Recorded in the register of Winterthur from 1374.
Progenitor of Haldimann and Haldimand lines
Son Hänsli Haldemann, Horbengut Farm, Eggiwil (Bern) in the Emmental Valley
1424     First recorded entry in the “Tell Book” of the city of Bern
1444     Citizenship of the city of Bern
1642   
Purchase agreement
Ulrich and Hans Haldimann, father and son, in Horben
Hans Haldimann watchmaker in Horben
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Heinrich Haldemann, Hänsli Haldemann
Ulrich Haldimann, Hans Haldimann his brother, the progenitor of the Le Locle line
Niklaus Haldimann
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1735     
Hans Haldimann zur Schwendimatt
Progenitor of the Bowil line
1765     Ulrich Haldimann
1806     Peter Haldimann
1837     Johannes Haldimann
1878     Christian Haldimann
1902     Christen Haldimann
1937     Werner Haldimann, father
1964     Beat Haldimann
1989     Natalie Xenia Haldimann, daughter
1998     Niklaus Anton Haldimann, son
2000   
Iris Olga Haldimann, daughter
Genealogical research
Hans Haldemann, Dr. phil. from Boll, Switzerland

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: H1 Flying Central Tourbillon

• 950 Platinum

 - White Gold
 - Yellow Gold
 - Pink Gold

Movement 
Mechanical hand-wound, H-Zen.A calibre,
18,000 vib/h, flying central tourbillon, three barrels.
Functions 
Hours, minutes, 60-second tourbillon.
Case 
18K yellow, pink or white gold, or 950 platinum.
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal front and back.
Water-resistant to 30 metres (3 bar/100 ft).
Dial 
Black or rhodium-plated, Roman numerals, central tourbillon.
Bracelet/Strap 
Hand-stitched alligator, folding clasp or buckle in 18K gold or 950 platinum.

Retail price (2014):
171,800 Swiss francs in gold and 180,800 Swiss francs in platinum.
(Recent pre-owned and auction sale prices fall between $68,500 and $85,000.)
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Contact
Beat Haldimann
HALDIMANN HOROLOGY
Villa Nussbühl
Riedstrasse 2
CH-3600 Thun
Switzerland
Phone: +41 33 223 30 82
Fax: +41 33 223 40 29
Email:  beat@haldimann.swiss
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www.Haldimann.swiss

Haldimann - H9 Reduction Central Tourbillon

Haldimann - H9 Reduction and H8 Sculptura Valentin Blank Centrally Central Tourbillon 39mm Platinum - Unique Art Watch

I thoroughly debated on whether or not 

I should even cover this "watch."

It is from a brand called Haldimann - eponymously named after the watch maker Beat Haldimann, and I think the man is playing a rather cruel joke on watch lovers. One press release I saw on the watch wasn't a press release at all, but a rather diplomatic article written by a Swiss journalist based on his reaction to the watch. As a timepiece this item is utterly indefensible - but optimistically creative types will claim that it is some manner of art.

This latter description is probably the kindest thing you can say about this horological insult. I wonder whether or not Beat will next release a pile of screws and gears and call it the "H10 Potential."

Haldimann's H9 watch is called the "Reduction," but to me it is the Revulsion. The watch is "reduced" to a useless tragedy. I should have seen this coming, but perhaps never expected his audacity to go this far. And by audacity I mean it in the American sense... "boldly rude." Please remember that my European friends as you plaster this term all over your speeches and releases.

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The Haldimann H8 Sculptura watch that preceded the H9 was a step in this direction. The piece (seen below), displayed a centrally mounted tourbillon without an indicator of time. While as a watch it was worthless, it did have some value as a fun thing to look at. I mean that is sort of the point of tourbillon complications - to just see them spinning around. There was a delicate elegance to the H8 that almost made you forgive its rather seditious incompatibility with what watches are all about.

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The H9 on the other hand is something entirely futile. It is a luxury watch with a totally opaque sapphire crystal. Let me explain in case the idea isn't clear. Haldimann offers the H9 in a 39mm or 42mm wide solid platinum case. The movement is a nicely made caliber H.Zen-1 manually wound movement with a triple-barrel flying tourbillon... and it is hand engraved.

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Unlike the H8 it does have and hour and minute hand. Beat's credibility as a watch maker should be enough to ensure that the movement is nicely made. Looking back on earlier "H" collection watches you can see what he is capable of. So after all that he sticks a totally non-transparent black colored domed sapphire crystal over the dial - making it completely obstructed.

▶️ World Premiere: H8 
 

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Just think about that for a minute. You know, in the luxury watch industry there is the concept of stealth wealth, as well as the concept of hidden luxury that is displayed only to the person wearing the watch. These are meant for connoisseurs who don't wish to flaunt their wealth or items. This watch takes that concept further than it was ever meant to go.

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Beat will tell you "well you can hear the movement operating through the case." OK, that is cool. So if you wanted to make an art watch that has an opaque crystal where you can only hear the watch working, then I suggest you throw in the most basic of mechanical movements rather than something you actually want to see. According to the brand, "time can thus be imagined, dreamed, or invented." I just threw up in my mouth a little bit - this watch retails for over 150,000 Swiss Francs.

 

Any one who wears this watch has got to be like the title character in the Emperor's New Clothes. Haldimann will have totally tricked them into thinking that this is some meaningful piece of art and a poetic testament to the ephemeral nature of time. Though everyone really feels like it is a vapid concept but is likely too afraid to say anything.

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The real tragedy is that under the black crystal is probably a pretty nice watch, but that hardly matters right? This watch makes a lot more sense as an April fool's day joke. In fact I wish I would have thought of it myself. As a serious timepiece the H9 Reduction is simply confounding. It is OK, don't be afraid to call it out for what you feel that it is.

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Technical Specifications

Movement	Hand-wound, H.Zen-1 calibre, proprietary central triple-barrel flying tourbillon, 18,800 vib/h, hand-engraved
Functions	Hours and minutes
Case	950 platinum, 39 or 42 mm Cambered and opaque sapphire crystal Sapphire caseback Water-resistant to 30 m / 3 ATM
Dial	Black Central flying tourbillon
Strap	Hand-sewn black alligator with folding clasp or buckle in 950 platinum

(*Text and picture courtesy of Swisstime)

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www.Haldimann-horology.ch