Few may have heard of Beat Haldimann but the truth is that he is regarded by many as one of the world’s most creative luxury watch makers. Heir to a long line of master horologists, Haldimann was born in Bern, Switzerland in 1964. He began his long and illustrious career in watchmaking at the age of 21 when he started his working life as a watch repairer in his home town. Interestingly it is in Bern where you will find a clock made by Hans Haldimann on display in the Bern Historical Museum, which dates back to 1650.
A little more than six years after he started working in the Swiss watch industry, Beat would go on to to start Halidmann Horology, which specialises in using traditional watch making techniques that involve no CNC machines or state of the art computers with the latest CAD software. Instead, age old traditions combine to create a collection of watches that are at first works of art, and timepieces second.
Traditionally, Haldimann watches are usually very simple in their design, with the watchmaker preferring a much more classic style rather than including excessive extras such as gemstones or bright colours. However, where these timepieces are minimal in their design, it is the levels of high quality craftsmanship that make them really stand out.
In 2009, Beat Haldimann was awarded the Gaia Prize for ‘Craftmanship Creation’ in recognition of his H8 wristwatch (more on this later).
Today, the master horologist continues to make some revolutionary watches and even if some of his timepieces have raised a few eyebrows amongst the watch loving community, a Haldimann timepiece will almost certainly be a worthy addition to any luxury watch collection.
Haldimann Horology H1 Flying Central Tourbillon
The H1 Flying Central Tourbillon was launched in 2002 and remains a true watch making feat more than a decade later. The wristwatch features a flying central tourbillon that was developed and manufactured entirely by Beat himself. The central tourbillon contains three barrels and beats at 18,000vph.
Displaying hours, minutes and seconds, the watch is crafted from either 18k white, pink or yellow gold, as well as platinum and features a cambered sapphire crystal, with a sapphire case back.
A video of the flying central tourbillon in action can be found here.
The H1 Flying Central Tourbillon costs 180,000 Swiss Francs, approx £126,000.
Haldimann Horology H8 Sculptura
When is a watch not a watch? Perhaps when it doesn’t actually tell you the time? The Haldimann Horology H8 Sculptura is one such ‘watch’. In a nutshell the H8 Sculptura features a tourbillon movement in the centre of its dial, and nothing else…that’s it. No hands, no numbers, no indexes. Nothing. The watch is an ‘art piece’ in the truest sense of the term.
Made from platinum, the H8 Sculptura includes an in house hand wound H Zen calibre movement and is available in either a 39 or 42mm version. It also has a domed sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 30 metres.
Haldimann Horology H9 Reduction ‘watch’
If you thought the H8 Sculptura was redundant, then take a look at the Haldimann Horology H9 Reduction watch. In what has been described as a “pure mockery of the history of watchmaking”, the H9 Reduction isn’t really a watch at all.
Actually, it’s hard to say what it is, given the fact that it includes a completely opaque sapphire crystal. That’s despite the fact that the H9 does indeed contain a H Zen calibre movement, complete with a triple barrel flying tourbillon. It even, unlike the H8, has an hour and a minute hand. However, this is all hidden under the black sapphire crystal!
Apparently, Beat Haldimann wants people to imagine the time and look at the H9 Reduction watch as more than just a regular timepiece. This is all very well but not particularly useful if you’ve got a train to catch.
The Haldimann Horology H9 Reduction ‘watch’ costs approximately £129,000.
Haldimann Horology H2 Resonance
Originally showcased at Baselworld 2012, the Haldimann H2 Resonance is a follow up to the H1, and also features a centrally located flying tourbillon. The cage also includes two large balances with hairsprings, two lever escapements, two pallets and two escape wheels, each fitted with spiral springs that work to create a constant force escapement.
Incredibly for a Haldimann piece, the H2 does actually tell the time!
In all seriousness, take nothing away from the H2 Resonance watch, this is a stunning timepiece in terms of watch making expertise and skill, which few others around the world would be able to replicate.
The Haldimann Horology H2 Resonance watch is available for approximately £235,000.
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