Old Soul by Vianney Halter and Massena LAB

Description

Old Soul by Vianney Halter and Massena LAB is a limited-edition wristwatch that marries the otherworldly vision and technical mastery of Vianney Halter with Massena LAB's deep reverence for horological history.

The development of Old Soul began with the discovery of a 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 revived in 2025, transformed into an object that is neither past nor present.

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

Old Soul features a multilayered dial with steampunk influences, a signature of Vianney Halter, and 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 nine o'clock, and minutes along the outer chapter ring.

Old Soul employs a mysterious minute disc system that creates the illusion of a minute hand orbiting in space and floating above the dial. Under the guidance of Vianney Halter, the 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.

Arabic numerals, rendered in Halter's signature typeface, are another marker of his hand in the design. The chemin de fer, or railroad track styling on all three registers, recalls vintage watches from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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 shadow across the main plate. A steampunk-inspired shield rests atop the sapphire crystal, engraved with rounded lines to complement its hourglass shape and dotted with stainless steel studs that evoke the Halter aesthetic.

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. The crown is dotted with functional studs that enhance the steampunk aesthetic and improve tactility.

The movement of Old Soul is on full display through sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating. The original Minerva caliber 17'22 is hand-finished with Côtes de Genève, anglage throughout its architecture, and black polish. Its mainspring barrel is engraved with the signature of the original movement maker, Minerva. The movement is signed with a double emblem bearing the insignias of both Vianney Halter and Massena LAB.

Old Soul by Vianney Halter and Massena LAB is a limited edition of 47 pieces.

Supplied by the brand to the GPHG for its entry.