written by:
small-luxury-world

published:
2020-05-12

categories:
AHCI, Beat Haldimann, snapshot, watches, watchmakers

Snapshot(s): Beat Haldimann’s H1 Flying Tourbillon

Context - it´s important to collectors isn´t it.


Haldimann H1 Flying central tourbillon ahci independent watchmaking
(Haldimann, H1 Flying)



Let´s have a look at the example of Beat Haldimann´s H1 “Flying”. Introduced in 2002, it was his first wristwatch and quite a success from the beginning.

Haldimann H1 Flying central tourbillon ahci independent watchmaking



A large-format flying tourbillon gets all the attention on the first view, for good reasons, but there is more … so much more – understated yet sophisticated in the details.

Haldimann H1 Flying central tourbillon ahci independent watchmaking



“To give the wrist watch a voice, as produced by Breguet´s old pocket watches: this fascinating sound, telling of earlier days, which gives a watch its heart”
, that was Beat´s goal and he reached it with the H1. “For me this is music, for others just a ticking.” (Beat Haldimann)

Haldimann H1 Flying central tourbillon ahci independent watchmaking

Haldimann H1 Flying central tourbillon ahci independent watchmaking



In any case it is a wristwatch that represents the traditional crafts in every respect. More perceptive observers will even see where it breaks with all known traditions once they look closely. A genial idea, or two, was needed to create a tourbillon with a diameter of 16.80 mm inside a 14-lignes wristwatch – tourbillon larger than half of the movement’s diameter.

Haldimann H1 Flying central tourbillon ahci independent watchmaking (Cal. H.Zen-A; diameter 14´´´ 31.58mm, height 3.7mm, with tourbillon and hands 7.4mm, 2.5 Hz 18 000 vph)



Didn´t even mention the hands, the dial, or the shape of the case. Looking (closely) at and handling the watch makes it clear for the connoisseur. Handmade is not just a marketing term, in this case. If you fall for that kind of luxury, what else is needed?

Haldimann H1 Flying central tourbillon ahci independent watchmaking wristshot



Sartorial clothes come to my mind. Me would not like to see it next to a machine stitched or even pasted jacket. A simple T-shirt and well-made jeans can also be fine, if worn together with some nice shoes. Don´t get me wrong, it´s not about being snobbish. It´s all about the attention to quality (in the details) – a mindset, nothing more nothing less.

Haldimann H1 Flying central tourbillon ahci independent watchmaking wristshot



When I had the pleasure to handle my friends watch, I felt even more happy that I was dressed appropriate. Sartorial clothes from Napoli, eclectic “French” shoes and bespoke trousers from Bratislava, together with a legendary H1 Flying on the wrist – my kind of pleasures. Not sure if my friend, the lucky owner of the watch, would agree here. Still to me it was perfect context, on top!

small-luxury-world

Haldimann H1 Flying central tourbillon ahci independent watchmaking wristshot

Comments:

2 replies
  1. KIH
    KIH says:

    Such a nice article. Yes, indeed, this is, to me, an “art”, which even my girl friend, who knows nothing about watches but a lot about art, approved 🙂 The sound is also important. In a quiet room, you can really hear it and your wrist feels it. Total body enjoys wearing this special watch. Thanks for writing a wonderful article. Ken

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *