Steyr
136
The production size may be slightly smaller.
The lug to lug distance is indeed slightly too big. That mistake appeared a bit too late before the show when Victoire first tried the prototype. I think some redesigned lugs will be proposed for the production model. There is a margin to play with in the lug design. Not the top part, the three-step decor, but the lugs can be slightly moved toward the case. Playing with tenth of millimeters there and there could lead to couple of millimeters less in the lug to lug and overall size and perception.
Maybe the case's diameter could be sized down by few tenth... to be confirmed.
The movement finishing has been thoroughly enhanced after the Anniversary. Scriptura as well as the Liberty were the first ones seeing those changes. The mainplate as well as the bridges are made out of german silver. Main spring barrel will now be in german silver as well. Steel parts in the movements such as setting lever, yoke... are systematically enhanced with finer finishing, starting with contact surfaces that used to be a little bit rough from EDM then electro-polishing.
Actually, finishing on the new VH122 is taking much longer than the Classic. Not only because there is more "work to do" but also because of Vianney's choices. Some Classic's mainplate had perlage - not a big fan if I may say -, some had mass finishing (tribofinition). Now mainplates are circular grinded for the top surfaces, and the recesses are hand worked to remove machining marks with etirage (brushing) on the flanks, traits brouillés (random brushing ?) on the flat bottom part of the recesses. The mainplate only is a 2 days of work of finishing with wood and pastes. Past techniques were hours or little bit less (perlage) and even minutes if we consider sandblasting and mass finishing technique.
Bridges represent couple of weeks for preparation, anglage, cotes, moulurage, retouching. About 3 days for the steel parts... Personally, I'd say current finishing is better than Classic that was, indeed, better than the Anniversary.
Note that the movement on the prototype was an Anniversay one because... that was the only one available by the encasing time.
Now comparing the size, I'm with you, I love the Classic for its elegance over the ~sporty current models. Or actually... need both ;-)
Have you seen the new Vianney
Halter Art Deco Metropolis based upon the Classic? It's amazing! The photos below are not mine. ...
Thank you! I have seen some photos, not as good as those though.
I agree, incredible watch that takes the classic into a totally different direction!
Eddy, it’s really good, however too big for me.
At 40mm, the case with those amazing lugs gets to be over size for me. Love the design, and execution of the latest Classic, for though, it’s the original that holds the top spot for a VH Classic. Not to mention that the hand finishing in the original ser...
The production size may be slightly smaller.
The lug to lug distance is indeed slightly too big. That mistake appeared a bit too late before the show when Victoire first tried the prototype. I think some redesigned lugs will be proposed for the production model. There is a margin to play with in the...
Thank you for your in-depth reply
Regarding the levels of hand finishing, I should have qualified my comment to be a bit more specific. It was in reference to the lack of hand finishing on the anglage of the bridges found in the Anniversary piece. Machine done to quite a high degree, I fo...
That is for sure one way to go.
Maybe, just maybe, a non white metal Classic would be better. But we are splitting hairs here.
I’d probably end up with these two…might be difficult to actually do though😜
It’s a good exercise to consider I think! Cheers, Tim ...
Tim, that is an absolutely unbeatable duo!
The Banu is such a unique and beautifully executed watch, I completely understand why it has to be in the top two, or even top one ... By the way - you are the one that helped me order my VH anniversary years ago
