Comments:
I came across my photo of a Halter Barnes Antiqua, #5R if I recall correctly
I took a photo of this when it crossed my desk at work in August of 2015. The dial, caseback, strap, and buckle all were branded with the name of the designer, Jeff Barnes, and the watchmaker, Vianney Halter. It's hard to find one still branded that way today. I **think** Hannelore Lass did all of the caseback and dial engraving on these.
Sadly, my video of the same remains online, but only the most rudimentary resolution of the caseback survived. However, it does appear to confirm serial "5R."
Best Regards,
Tim
Sadly, my video of the same remains online, but only the most rudimentary resolution of the caseback survived. However, it does appear to confirm serial "5R."
Awesome watch! Saw it in this
iteration in New York years ago. Thought it the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. Now I own one. It’s amazing and beautiful n
It crossed your desk.... and you gave it back? Why???? j/k
...and kinda not j/k, if you know what I mean.
At the time, it was at the outer limit of my budget, but also...
There was another issue brewing in the background. A number of clients called Halter in advance before making offers on the watch, and the number quoted increased each time. It started around $25,000, rose to $50,000, and hit around $80,000 before the whole thing blew over and somebody agreed to buy the watch from us.
At the time, our theory was that Vianney was trying to steer the callers towards an order for a new Antiqua by pricing the service so high that buying new almost made sense. And there was some concern that the watch would be involuntarily stripped of the Barnes branding if it went back to Sainte-Croix. I like Vianney, and I'm a supporter, but I do think the politics surrounding this watch complicated the purchase by me and others.
Best Regards,
Tim
Best Regards,
Tim
Ahhh yes, that dreaded P(olit...) word. Yeah, i hear ya and to steer clear and all that.
That was back then. Tough times.
Nowadays, all the Sharks are being 'fed' quite well; all are happy.
Nowadays, all the Sharks are being 'fed' quite well; all are happy.
Great Piece of History Tim, some interesting links to get a version of the back story...
people.timezone.com
And
chicagodesignarchive.org
Designer: Jeff Barnes
Firm: Barnes Design Office
Client: The Time Machine
Date:1996
Source: Timezone
And
chicagodesignarchive.org
Designer: Jeff Barnes
Firm: Barnes Design Office
Client: The Time Machine
Date:1996
Source: Timezone
A good read
This article was my introduction to the topic many years ago.
Best Regards,
Tim
Best Regards,
Tim
I did not know this history. And yikes!
JB didn’t hold back any punches, and seemingly rightfully so.
The last comment about the use of the design without his authorization, did that ever get resolved.
With just that side of the story it changes perceptions materially.
The last comment about the use of the design without his authorization, did that ever get resolved.
With just that side of the story it changes perceptions materially.
The Perception for me as that the Creative Process and to give birth to that Vision is difficult, at times messy and can be contentious, as children it makes no sense to choose a parent, we love them both equally
Such an incredible piece in a very rare configuration.
The same example #5R has been photographed by The Hour Glass:
credit: The Hour Lounge
credit: Phillips
credit: The Hour Lounge
And in June 2023 Phillips sold example #4Y, also double signed and coming with the original box:
credit: Phillips
Thanks for sharing this great piece!
Best, Emmanuel