Massena LAB has collaborated with Vianney Halter to unveil the Old Soul, a limited edition watch with a three-dimensional multilayered dial, regulator time display with a mystery minute display, and powered by a vintage Minerva movement from the early 20th century – hence the name Old Soul.
Founded by William Massena – a globally renowned horological expert – Massena LAB is a watch brand that “creates, designs and develops timepieces with renowned watchmakers.” They recommend horological ideas and concepts to watch brands “that are unusual and beyond the offerings from their collection.” In 2024, Massena LAB won the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) Chronograph Watch Prize for the Chronograph Monopoussoir Sylvain Pinaud x Massena LAB.
Vianney Halter is among the most gifted independent watchmakers of our time, practising his unique horological craft from 1994 – before the term “independent watchmaking” became a thing. His Antiqua Perpetual of 1998 is among the most influential watches of the 1990’s.
Image: Vianney Halter Antiqua of 1998. A revolutionary perpetual calendar watch and a horological icon. (Image credit: Vianney Halter website.) We covered Louis Erard’s collaboration with Vianney Halter – the Le Régulateur Louis Erard X Vianney Halter II.
“Vianney Halter creates what he dreams, and luckily for us mere mortals what he dreams is far more than “just” mechanics. It is a mixture of the fantasy and the reality that lives inside this most unusual watchmaker.”
Key Features
Functions and Operations
Image: “The chemin de fer, or railroad track styling on all three registers, recalls legendary vintage watches from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, though the execution here is distinctly modern.” The outer chapter ring in radially brushed and rhodium plated.
Hours indicated on subdial at 3 o’clock. Minutes indicated on the outer chapter ring. Small seconds indicated on subdial at 9 o’clock.
Crown at 3 o’clock for winding and time setting.
Dial
Image: The blued steel arrow is driven by a rotating sapphire disc giving the impression that it is floating. Blued steel hands is a Vianney Halter design feature. Notice the abundance of dial details.
Three dimensional and multi layered dial featuring a regulator style display. Dial features a mystery minute display indicated by a blued steel arrow.
Vianney Halter “signature typeface” Arabic numerals on the hours subdial and outer chapter ring. “Vianney Halter” and “Massena” – in both brand’s respective fonts etched into the sapphire crystal.
Image: “The signatures of Vianney Halter and Massena are printed on the interior side of the sapphire crystal rather than directly onto the dial itself. This subtle layering accentuates the dial’s three-dimensional design and casts a subtle, pleasing shadow across the dial’s surface. These signatures are framed by one final layer: a three-dimensional stainless steel shield that rests atop the sapphire crystal. Engraved with concentric circles to complement its hourglass shape, the shield is dotted with stainless steel studs that further evoke Vianney Halter’s signature steampunk aesthetic.”
Movement
Image: A discovery of a batch of new old stock vintage Minerva movements inspired the development of the Old Soul. The Minerva calibre 17’22 was first developed in the 1920’s and used in pocket watches until 1942. It was crafted and finished before the advent of CNC machines. Notice the “Minerva” signature and their arrow logo on the mainspring barrel, and the original movements number – a direct link to Minerva. Horological history on the wearer’s wrist.
Powered by the vintage Minerva calibre 17’22, a manually wound movement. It has been modified to integrate the mystery minutes display. Diameter: 39.25 mm. Jewels: 17. Frequency: 18,000 vph or 2.5 Hz. Power reserve: 36 hours (approximately). Movement features a Breguet balance spring. Hand-finishing includes Côtes de Genève, anglage, and black polish finishing.
Case
Image: The case features polished and brushed surfaces “with the polishing flowing seamlessly from the concave bezel down to the stepped lugs— a distinctly mid-century touch.” Notice the steampunk inspired crown with studs – a signature Vianney Halter feature. These studs resemble the same design on the dial shield, and offer a more tactile winding and time setting experience.
Case is made from stainless steel. Diameter: 42 mm. Thickness (including sapphire crystal): 12 mm. Dial side and caseback feature a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Water resistant up to 3 ATM or approximately 30 metres.
The caseback features a quote “Time is the Fire in which we burn,” penned by the American poet Delmore Schwartz (1913-1966).
Watch comes with a midnight blue strap with tone-on-tone stitching fitted to a Massena Lab pin buckle.
Our Thoughts
Image: In spite of using a vintage movement, the Old School is a watch “that is mysteriously neither past nor present.” Few in the industry possess William Massena’s knowledge and understanding of watchmaking and its history. The Old School will be an interesting conversation starter at watch GTGs.
Anticipation and excitement build up each time I learn Massena LAB is launching a new watch. The few we have covered include the Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB, UNIMATIC x Massena LAB Modello Uno U1-SPG “NASA Artemis” Limited Edition, and Noctograph by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès.
Even by Massena LAB’s own standards, the Old Soul is special. Its price of CHF 32K will leave you spoilt for choice amongst a variety of dress and sports watches from brands such as A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Omega, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin and others. Collectors frequently seek the “hottest” independent watch brands and “most sought after” watches. Social media and FOMO dictates watch collecting a great deal these days.
The Old Soul is a watch that requires understanding and appreciation. It’s almost 100-years-old movement evokes a sense of history, and its dial and case design has been overseen by Vianney Halter – one of the original independent watchmakers. According to William Massena, it “brings Vianney’s magic, vision, and timeless creativity to the wrists of a few friends.” If you are seeking an exceptional and unique watch to add to your collection, grab one of the 47 pieces of the Old Soul as soon as possible. The likes of it will not be seen anytime soon.
Additional Details
Name: Old Soul by Vianney Halter and Massena LAB
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 32,000 (excluding VAT)
Limited edition of 47 pieces.
Please visit the Massena LAB website and Instagram page for more information. Potential customers need to submit an enquiry on the Massena LAB website if interested.
Massena LAB is presenting the watch for viewing during Geneva Watch Days, being held from 4th – 7th September. Please contact them to schedule an appointment.
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