Vianney Halter And Massena Lab – Old Soul Edition

Vianney Halter x Massena LAB – COLLABORATIONS Old Soul Edition 2025 

Massena LAB is proud to partner with the legendary independent watchmaker Vianney Halter to create Old Soul, a limited-edition wristwatch that marries Halter's otherworldly vision and technical mastery with Massena LAB's deep reverence of horological history. 

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For Old Soul, the "soul" in question is its movement: the heartbeat and life force of a watch but also its essence and individual character. After all, the soul is an immortal entity, meant to outlive the physical vessel that contains it. 

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The development of Old Soul began with the discovery of cache of new old stock vintage movements from the celebrated watchmaker Minerva. This Minerva 17’22 caliber, first developed in the 1920s and used in pocket watches until 1942, has been reimagined and revived in 2025, transformed into an object that is neither past nor present.

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Old Soul features a multilayered dial with steampunk influences — a Vianney Halter calling card — as well as vintage and mid-century design inspiration from Massena LAB. Hours, minutes, and seconds appear on three separate registers: hours at three o'clock, seconds at 9 o'clock, and minutes along the outer chapter ring.

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Old Soul employs an ingenious mysterious minute disc system that creates the illusion of a minute hand orbiting in space and floating magically above the dial. Thanks to Halter's technical mastery, Old Soul's movement has been modified to incorporate the transparent minute disc used to achieve the mystery dial complication—marking the first time a vintage movement has been used in this way.

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Arabic numerals, rendered in Halter’s signature typeface, reinforce the watchmaker’s touch. Meanwhile, the chemin de fer, or railroad track styling on all three registers, recalls celebrated vintage watches from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

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"Vianney Halter" and "Massena" are printed on the interior side of the sapphire crystal rather than directly onto the dial itself, accentuating the dial's three-dimensional design and casting a subtle, pleasing shadow across the main plate. A steampunk-inspired shield rests atop the sapphire crystal. Engraved with rounded lines to complement its hourglass shape, the shield is dotted with stainless steel studs that evoke the Halter aesthetic.

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Old Soul is housed in a 42mm stainless steel case with a stepped lug design that anchors the watch to vintage tradition. The case mixes polished and brushed surfaces for elegant contrast. The crown is dotted with functional studs that not only enhance the steampunk aesthetic but also improve tactility for easier use.

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The movement of Old Soul is on full display through sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating for excellent visibility. The original Minerva caliber 17'22, crafted entirely by hand, is hand-finished with elegant stripes of Cotes de Genève, anglage throughout its architecture, and black polish finishing. 

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Its mainspring barrel is engraved with the signature of the original movement maker, Minerva. The movements are signed with a double emblem bearing the insignias of both Vianney Halter and Massena LAB.

MYSTERIOUS MINUTES

Old Soul employs an ingenious minute disc system that creates the illusion of a minute hand orbiting in space and floating magically above the dial.

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Drawing on Halter's technical mastery, Old Soul's movement has been modified to incorporate a transparent minute disc used to achieve the mystery dial complication—marking the first time a vintage movement has been used in this way.

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The concept of a floating minute hand, which seems to orbit along a central axis, is another nod to Vianney Halter's deep appreciation for science-fiction, and Star Trek in particular.

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Occupying a space somewhere between Captain Nemo and Captain Kirk, Vianney Halter's interest in science fiction media can be felt in his Deep Space Tourbillon and Deep Space Resonance.  

 

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"TIME IS THE FIRE IN WHICH WE BURN"

The case back of Old Soul is signed with the signatures of both Vianney Halter and Massena LAB as well as a unique serial number. At the top of the case, between the lugs is a fine engraving: “Time is the Fire in which we burn,” borrowed from the American poet Delmore Schwartz (1913-1966).

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The line, taken from the poem Calmly We Walk through This April's Day was popularized in the 1994 science-fiction film, Star Trek Generations. In the film, the line is uttered by the actor Malcom McDowell in his role as the villain Tolian Soran, the murderer of Captain Kirk.

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Fans and collectors of Vianney Halter will undoubtedly be familiar with the watchmaker’s appreciation of science fiction, and his enthusiasm for the Star Trek series in particular.

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Limited edition of only 47 pieces. Please email info@massenalab.com to inquire regarding availability.

Old Soul can be viewed, on an appointment basis, at Geneva Watch Days from September 4 to 6.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS   

🤝COLLABORATIONS:   

Collection: COLLABORATIONS  

Model:   Old Soul by Vianney Halter and Massena LAB

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Movement
Manual-wind, vintage Minerva 17'22 caliber crafted by hand starting in the 1920s before the invention of CNC machines
Modified to integrate a mysterious minutes complication--the first time a vintage movement has been used in this way.
• Diameter: 39.25mm.
• 17 jewels.
• 18,000 half oscillations per hour (2.5 Hz) with approximately 36 hours of power reserve.
• Breguet balance spring
Hand-finished in the days before CNC machines: Côtes de Genève, anglage, black polish finishing.
Functions
Hours, minutes, and small seconds.
Case
Diameter: 42mm. 
Thickness: 12mm including crystal. 
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. 
Exhibition case back also with sapphire crystal and antireflective coating.
Concave bezel, polished, with stepped lugs featuring mixed polished and brushed surfaces to accentuate details. 
Studded Vianney Halter steampunk style crown adorned with Vianney Halter “VH” signature.
Water-resistance: 3 ATM. 
Dial
Three dimensional, multilayered dial with time in a regulator display, split between three independent registers. 
Hours displayed on subsidiary dial at three o’clock. 
Seconds at nine o’clock. 
Minutes on the outer chapter ring.
Mystery minute display. 
A rotating sapphire disc with blued steel arrow gives the illusion of a floating minute hand. 
Arabic numerals in Vianney Halter signature typeface.
Double signed “Vianney Halter” and “Massena” – signatures etched into sapphire crystal.
Crystal
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.
Exhibition case back also with sapphire crystal.
Bracelet
Navy blue calfskin leather made in Italy. 
Stainless steel Massena LAB pin buckle.

🔰Limited Edition of 47 pieces

🔴Retail price:  CHF 37,000💰

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Press release- 2025
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ABOUT MASSENA LAB  

Massena LAB, founded by noted watch collector and industry veteran William Massena, is a creative horological studio that designs, develops, and produces timepieces, often in collaboration with respected watchmakers from around the world. Massena LAB exists to be a reference point of horological culture and to play an integral part in its constant evolution, using elements of style from the past to enhance the future of watchmaking.   
It aims to create and nurture a community of informed watch enthusiasts with a passion for novel timepieces from independent watchmakers. The “LAB” in Massena LAB is a combination of two words: “laboratory,” for our willingness to experiment and our embrace of new ideas, and “collaboration,” for our fruitful, long-standing relationships with our partner brands.  

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ABOUT VIANNEY HALTER

Vianney Halter was born in 1963 on the outskirts of Paris, the son of an engine driver on the French railways. He remembers being fascinated by the old machines and mechanical objects that his father brought home. Perhaps this early contact with powerful locomotives, steam engines and other measuring instruments is the reason why he was attracted to technology and mechanics.

At 14 years of age, Vianney Halter made the decision to broaden his interest in mechanics, and took the train to the capital to enrol at the École Horlogère de Paris (Paris Watchmaking School). He qualified in 1980 and spent his first ten years in the profession restoring antique watches and clocks, experience which gave him in-depth knowledge of the art of watchmaking. 

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Self-employed since 1984, he then went on to create a variety of timepieces for well-known manufacturers including Harry Winston, Breguet, and Audemars Piguet. He has also invented and developed his own collection of wristwatches since 1998.

His designs have been regarded as avant-garde pieces and are considered to have instigated a new shift in the watchmaking world. Vianney Halter makes unusual watches in the traditional method of the master watchmakers of the past, while using singular aesthetics, his own technical patents and unique constructions. All of this is illustrated in his first model, the “Antiqua”, a perpetual calendar presented in 1998. This watch was instantly regarded as a "relic of the future", reinforcing Halter's creativity and allowing him to enter the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI).

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His years as an independent watchmaker continuing the art of watchmaking and his contribution to the modern horological landscape have already earned him nine awards. He has created around ten models of wristwatches, but the high level of workmanship they demand means their production is confidential. Indeed, under 500 pieces created by Vianney Halter have been produced to this day.

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Albishorn x Massena LAB – Maxigraph Monopusher Chronograph Edition

Albishorn x Massena LAB – MAXIGRAPH 1939 Monopusher Chronograph Edition 2024

 Imaginary history
The missing regatta chronograph from the 1930s

Massena LAB partners with the new independent watchmaker Albishorn for the release of a new collaborative timepiece, the Maxigraph, a true tool watch and regatta timer inspired by the rich history of nautical timepieces and of the city of Geneva itself. Harking back to the first edition of the now legendary regatta race, Le Bol d’Or, first held on Lac Léman in 1939, the Maxigraph is the creation of an imagined history: how might a modern-day regatta chronograph have looked in the 1930s?

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Albishorn, making its debut at Geneva Watch Days 2024, is an independent Swiss watchmaker that blends (and bends) horological history to craft original and distinctive timepieces, drawing inspiration from vintage pieces. Albishorn’s concept of “imaginary vintage” (®) guides its approach to watchmaking as it strives to create timepieces which echo the past without replicating them directly; aiming instead to explore imagined, and exciting, parallel histories.

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Originating as pocket watches, regatta chronographs were first crafted to meet the demands of regatta competitors seeking precise timing mechanisms for their nautical races. The evolution from pocket watch to wristwatch was a significant milestone, and, over time, regatta timers evolved to become water and shock-resistant. Curiously, all the technical requirements for a modern-day water-resistant chronograph were available by the end of the 1930s but were never applied to the regatta timer. The Maxigraph imagines what might have been, if horological history had only been slightly bent. 

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The answer is the Maxigraph, a hypothetically historical timepiece; crafted with precision (and a touch of madness), which, in our imagined history, may have been commissioned by the owner of sailboat, such as the Ylliam IV, the six meter sailboat that was the winner of the first edition of Le Bol d’Or in 1939. With the Maxigraph in hand, the crew of the sailboat would have had the help of a precise and durable tool during the most critical phase of the race: the countdown to start.

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At the start of Le Bol d’Or, a regatta which takes place on Lac Léman starting in Geneva and ending in Le Bouveret, a horn signals the countdown to the start of the race. At this point, the crew of the sailboat must hold their position, a strenuous task while sailing in front of an invisible start line that cannot be crossed without risking a severe penalty. At the end of the ten minutes, guided precisely by the regatta timer of the Maxigraph, the crew must immediately set sail, beginning their race. 

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The Maxigraph is a monopusher chronograph with an automatic, Swiss-made, proprietary caliber with a patented ten-minute retrograde regatta countdown, which is positioned at 7 o’clock on the dial. Unlike a typical regatta timer, which restarts endlessly when the countdown is over, the Maxigraph’s timer stops once ten minutes have elapsed while the seconds of the chronograph continue running. The countdown is reset by stopping and resetting the chronograph using a single, red aluminum pusher at 9 o’clock, the optimal position for a precise click of the pusher using one’s thumb, considered the best digit for operating a chronograph.

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The silver dial of the Maxigraph was designed with a focus on legibility and functionality. Each scale has its own place, finish, and color, resulting in an original and modern sector dial which references the timepieces of the 1930s. An aperture for a colorful running indicator is located at four o’clock, and Super-LumiNova® provides luminosity to the hour and minute hands. Super-LumiNova® is also integrated subtly on the dial on two scales during hours when low light is typical: one arc spanning from 18 to 24 o’clock, and another from 12 to 6 o’clock.

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The stainless steel case of the Maxigraph measures 39mm and features a 41mm bidirectional rotating bezel in stainless steel. Its crown is located at 10 o’clock, remaining clear of obstructions during crucial maneuvers. The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters, making it a perfect companion for a day on the water. 

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 William Massena, founder of Massena LAB, said “working with Sébastien Chaulmontet on the design of the Maxigraph has been a real joy. Sébastien and I have known each other for many years, and not only is he an absolute expert in the field of watchmaking, but he is also a bit of a renaissance man in his own right. We at Massena LAB are proud to stand side by side with him as he launches his own line, Albishorn, and we are excited to unveil the Maxigraph here at Geneva Watch Days.”

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The challenge was to develop a regatta chronograph that would be period correct and aligned with the requirements and expectations of navigators, while being fully original. That’s how the Maxigraph chronograph was born: a mono-pusher nautical chronograph, featuring a unique and innovative design and a patented regatta function.

 Dial

The silver dial of the Maxigraph was designed with a focus on legibility and functionality. Each scale has its own place, finish, and color, resulting in an original and modernist sector dial. This very specific dial layout is unique and pays tribute to precision instruments from that era.

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Night readability is ensured by luminous material (Super-LumiNova®) subtly integrated within two different scales. The first arc of luminous material runs from 18 to 24 o’clock, while the second, larger arc, runs from 12 to 6 o’clock. The hands are filled with luminous material too, allowing for easy reading in low-light conditions.

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To guarantee excellent legibility and unlike any other mechanical chronograph wristwatch, the Maxigraph boasts a patented 10-minute retrograde regatta countdown at 7 o’clock and an aperture at 4 o’clock showcasing colored disc acting as a running indicator.

Case

While being automatic, the Maxigraph remains sleek with only a 13 mm height (box sapphire crystal included). Made of stainless steel, the case of the Maxigraph reflects a seamless blend of robustness and elegance. 

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The alternance of brushed and polished surfaces provides a subtle contrast, accentuating the watch's overall presence. All edges of the case have been chamfered and polished, offering a sophisticated haute horlogerie aesthetic.

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The back is adorned with a technical drawing inspired by Ylliam IV, the 6 Meter rule boat which won the Bol d’Or in 1939.

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One of the standout features of the Maxigraph is its stainless steel turning bezel. It was designed to rotate in a bidirectional manner and features two different engraved scales (12 and 60 units) which are then filled with either red or black lacquer.

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Positioned at 10 o’clock, the crown allows for easy winding and time setting while keeping it clear of any obstructions during crucial maneuvers. Adjacent to the crown, at 9 o’clock on the case side, is a red aluminum pusher, discreetly integrated into the case design. 

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This location allows the pusher to be operated by the thumb, the finger considered the best one for operating a chronograph. The large size of the pusher simplifies the operation and adds a touch of uniqueness to the watch.

Movement

The Maxigraph incorporates a refined and reliable proprietary automatic mono-pusher chronograph movement, expertly crafted in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Once fully wound, it offers an astounding 64 hours of power reserve.

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The movement was designed as a mono-pusher chronograph, therefore featuring a single button to control all the chronograph functions (start, stop, and reset) rather than the more common two-pusher system.

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A further standout attribute of the Maxigraph’s movement is its remarkably low height for an automatic chronograph of only 6.60 mm, enabling the production of particularly thin chronographs like in the 1930s and 1940s.

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Albishorn specifically developed this movement to showcase the brand's distinctive and unique dial layout, featuring a patented 10-minute retrograde regatta countdown at 7 o’clock and an aperture for a running indicator at 4 o’clock.

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Unlike typical regatta chronograph countdown indications, which restart endlessly the countdown once it is over, the one from the Maxigraph was designed to stop once the 10 minutes are over, while the seconds of the chronograph continue running. To reset the countdown indication, the chronograph has to be stopped and reset using the pusher at 9 o’clock.

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Sébastien Chaulmontet, founder of Albishorn, added: “I am proud and honored to launch my brand, starting with a collaboration with William. Our friendship and common passion for watches have driven us to create something truly special. Together, we have combined our tastes and expertise to develop a unique timepiece that embodies our shared vision and dedication to craftsmanship.”

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The Albishorn x Massena LAB Maxigraph launches on MassenaLAB.com on Thursday September 12, 2024, and is available for viewing by appointment only at Geneva Watch Days. Watches will be produced and delivered in very small batches of about twenty-five watches each, starting in September.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS   

🤝 COLLABORATIONS:   

COLLABORATIONS Collection: WATER

Model:  Albishorn x Massena LAB Maxigraph 1939 Monopusher Chronograph Edition

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Produced in small quantities of about 25 watches per batch

Case
    Material:  316L stainless steel case with polished and satin finished surfaces and with chamfered and polished
edges
    Diameter: 39mm case; 41mm with bezel
    Thickness: 13mm
    Lug to lug: 47.7mm
    Crystal: Box sapphire crystal with antireflexive coating
    Stainless steel winding crown with engraved Albishorn logo
    Pusher in red anodized aluminum
    Crown at 10 o'clock, red aluminum monopusher at 9 o'clock
    Case back: Engraved with a technical drawing inspired by the Ylliam IV six meter sailboat, the winner of the first Le Bol d'Or, held on Lake Geneva in 1939
    Water-resistant to 100 meters
    Bezel  Bidirectional rotating bezel in stainless steel with engraved and black or red lacquered numerals
    Double scale: 60 and 12 units
    Bezel diameter: 41.7 mm
Dial and hands
   White and silver sector dial with white Super-LumiNova®
   Blued hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova®
   Red chronograph second and minute hands
   Colored disc as running indicator
   Regatta timer at 7 o’clock, running indicator at 4 o’clock. 
   60 seconds counter in the center
Movement
    Proprietary chronograph caliber ALB01 A.
    Self-winding caliber, monopusher chronograph
    Height: 6,60 mm
    Diameter: 30,00 mm
    Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
    Stop second device
    Typical power reserve of 64 hours
    25 jewels
Functions/Indications
    Hours, minutes
    Monopusher chronograph with patented ten-minute countdown regatta timer
    Running indicator by disc
    60 seconds counter in the center
    Patented retrograde 10-minute regatta function
 Strap and buckle
    Red rubber with stainless steel Albishorn logo buckle
    Watch delivered with additional strap in white calfskin also with Albishorn logo buckle
    Lug Width: 20mm

🔰Limited Edition of 25 pieces

🔴Recommended retail price: USD 4,995 / CHF 4,250

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ABOUT MASSENA LAB  

Massena LAB, founded by noted watch collector and industry veteran William Massena, is a creative horological studio that designs, develops, and produces timepieces, often in collaboration with respected watchmakers from around the world. Massena LAB exists to be a reference point of horological culture and to play an integral part in its constant evolution, using elements of style from the past to enhance the future of watchmaking.   
It aims to create and nurture a community of informed watch enthusiasts with a passion for novel timepieces from independent watchmakers. The “LAB” in Massena LAB is a combination of two words: “laboratory,” for our willingness to experiment and our embrace of new ideas, and “collaboration,” for our fruitful, long-standing relationships with our partner brands.  

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       ABOUT  Albishorn - Imaginary Vintage®

Welcome to Albishorn, the independent Swiss watchmaker that builds vintagewatches that never were.We create original and unique mechanical timepieces that can be seen as “missinglinks”. 

They fit seamlessly into the history of watchmaking but clearly have a characterof their own. We create what we call “imaginary vintage” watches.Ever wondered about the fictional forerunner of the renowned “Type 20” chronographused by the French military? Meet the “Type 10”, a creation of our fantasy at Albishorn(coming in October 2024)!This approach reflects our primary commitment to creativity and imagination. Weidentify designs and concepts that could have perfectly complemented classic watchesof the past but were never brought to life. What about a chronograph that marries theelegant appearance of a skin diver to a novel and patented regatta display? 

We havepioneered this new genre with the Marinagraph®, making it the perfect companionfor maritime adventures (coming in 2025).Sébastien Chaulmontet, Albishorn's head, shares: "I love searching for one-of-a-kindwatches, prototypes, and those that challenge conventions—a homage to the endless creativityof our watchmaking ancestors. These elusive timepieces often unveil glimpses of what couldhave been. They fuel my imagination and make me dream of timepieces that I would have lovedto exist but were never actually made. Albishorn is committed to create these unique watches."Upholding Swiss craftsmanship in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, our skilled teamblends tradition with innovation. 

Albishorn ensures the highest Swiss qualitystandards, using premium materials to create watches that are not only beautifullydesigned but also reliable companions for generations.Each Albishorn timepiece captures the spirit of a bygone era, mirroring the charm anddetails of vintage watches while embracing modern watchmaking technology. Weactively pursue original dial layouts and displays, complemented by our distinctiveproprietary mechanical calibers. These movements often showcase patentedcomplications, further enhancing the uniqueness of our watches.

Step into the world of Albishorn and join us on a horological journey. Discoverwatches that complement vintage history, enhancing your collection with uniquepieces that transcend time.We hope that you will enjoy wearing our watches as much as we did making them.
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Press release - 2024
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