There are a few Swiss master watchmakers whose names most connoisseurs have never heard – a fact that has more to do with the former’s low-key, non-spotlight personalities than anything else. No true aficionado of horology should pass up a chance to check them out, though.
One of these is Beat Haldimann, who is at home in Thun, Switzerland. And if you’d like to know a lot more about him, you might pick up my book 12 Faces of Time.
H11 (left) and H12 (with small seconds) by Beat Haldimann
Haldimann creates wristwatches that are for watch enthusiasts who “are about content, not brands,” as the he puts it.
Beat Haldimann H2 Flying Resonance
Haldimann is known for his elegant style of complicated watchmaking, which is firmly rooted in the principles of creative, philosophically inclined haute horlogerie. So encasing his precious handcrafted work in stainless steel is a bold step.
Until now, Haldimann only produced between ten and twenty watches each year. “I don’t need to make ‘limited editions,’ everything I do is limited simply by the fact that I manufacture at least 90 percent of it myself here,” Haldimann once explained to me.
He also explained, “I don’t want to be dependent on anyone, that’s why I make as much as I can here, including things like clasps and cases.”
The Beat Haldimann H11 is also available in red gold
Haldimann introduced his first wristwatch in 2002; he had only made clocks to that point. His no-frills style translated well to his wristwatches, bringing him a small but loyal fan base.
Stainless steel cases
The year 2017 sees the first watches by Beat Haldimann housed in stainless steel cases.
Beat Haldimann H11 with blue dial
And these are topped off by rich blue dials, which now become the faces of the new H11 and H12 models. They exhibit a startling frosted effect, which is obtained by using a silver dial blank with engraved and lacquered indexes and logo, after which a silver powder is applied by hand – this is a painstaking task, but the result is well worth the work.
Beat Haldimann H11 with white dial in red gold
The shape of the hands are inspired by a pocket watch by Haldimann Frères from 1790.
H11 is Haldimann’s first two-handed watch with a conventional, central display of hours and minutes to also boast a central balance wheel. It also represents Haldimann’s first wristwatch without a tourbillon escapement.
Beat Haldimann H11 with white dial in red gold
What may look easy is indeed difficult to fruitfully conceive and properly execute without disturbing accuracy. Matching the simple sobriety of the unadorned, yet well-finished movement and the svelte case, the dial is something the observer can relish with indulgence: the hands make their rounds against the backdrop of the frosted dial adorned only with simple Roman numerals and dot markers to keep track of the minutes.
The numerals can be filled with the following lacquer colors as the client wishes: black, silver, gold, green, red, or blue.
Beat Haldimann H12 with blue dial in stainless steel
This movement (like all others over the years) has been entirely developed, assembled, and finished at Haldimann’s workshops, which are beautifully situated within a majestic manor house overlooking Lake Thun and the Swiss Alps beyond the water. No CNC machines were involved in making the movement.
The H11 and H12 models only differ in the absence of a second hand on the H11 to break the desired serenity; the H12 includes an off-center subdial for seconds at 5 o’clock.
Movement side of Beat Haldimann’s H11
Turning the watch over, one is rewarded with an even more spectacular view: a hand-frosted manually wound movement highlighting the central position of the balance with proprietary shock absorber, which allows the balance to recover more quickly after experiencing shock.
Beat Haldimann H11 with blue dial in stainless steel
For more information, please visit www.haldimann.swiss/en.
Quick Facts: Haldimann H11
Case: 39 x 10.8 mm (42 mm on request), stainless steel
Dial: hand-frosted solid silver in midnight blue with handmade stainless steel hands
Movement: manually wound Caliber H11 with 38-hour power reserve, 3 Hz/21,600 vph, modified Swiss lever escapement with Haldimann shock absorber; frosted finish
Functions: hours, minutes
Price: 30,000 Swiss francs
H12 by Beat Haldimann
Quick Facts Haldimann H12
Case: 39 x 10.8 mm (42 mm on request), stainless steel
Dial: hand-frosted solid silver in midnight blue with handmade stainless steel hands
Movement: manually wound Caliber H12 with 38-hour power reserve, 3 Hz/21,600 vph, modified Swiss lever escapement with Haldimann shock absorber; frosted finish
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds
Price: 31,000 Swiss francs
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[…] ED: We also saw price point adjustments continuing to dominate, bringing a number of luxury watches into the realm of affordable and realistic, independent watchmaker Beat Haldimann being a prime example (see Beat Haldimann Introduces H11 & H12, His First Stainless Steel (Relatively Affordable) Wristwatc…). […]
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[…] reading: Beat Haldimann Introduces H11 & H12, His First Stainless Steel (Relatively Affordable) Wristwa… http://www.clock-watch.de/index.html?html/tec/hem/hal.htm (technical explanation of […]
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[…] Further reading: Ulysse Nardin Marine Tourbillon: The Evolution Of Classic (And An Unbelievable Price) Beat Haldimann Introduces H11 & H12, His First Stainless Steel (Relatively Affordable) Wristwat… […]
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[…] ED: We also saw price point adjustments continuing to dominate, bringing a number of luxury watches into the realm of affordable and realistic, independent watchmaker Beat Haldimann being a prime example (see Beat Haldimann Introduces H11 & H12, His First Stainless Steel (Relatively Affordable) Wristwat…). […]
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[…] Asaoka Chronograph Beat Haldimann H12 MCT Dodekal TAG Heuer Autavia Calibre Heuer 02 Patek Philippe Reference […]
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Why do you say “Relatively Affordable”?
Because as recently as last year these watches were only available in precious metals and were much, much more expensive.
Hi Fando,
I wrote “relatively affordable” because to many, if not most, using the term “affordable” to describe a $35,000 wristwatch is likely to be seen as ludicrous.
Haldimann’s H11 and H12 are affordable in relation to the prices of his much more expensive and much more complicated timepieces.
Regards, Ian
Even relatively is ludicrous….
Oh boy! Haldimanns that I could afford (so, yes, they must be relatively affordable!). I love all his watches (H9 excepted of course, if you choose to call that a watch rather than a, bizarre but interesting, philosophical experiment!). These don’t have the grandeur of his tourbillon watches, and I wish he would let one see more of his movements, but still I am sorely tempted: note to self – must research these further!
The next Dufour?
p.s. Yes I would like to know more about him – so ’12 Faces’ now on order: thanks for the suggestion/plug!
I think these are gorgeous, especially the H12 in SS. And very well priced for what it is. This is not a mere timepiece, but a work of art. Usually independent watch brands timepieces, including three-hander’s are very expensive.
Is it just me or does there seem to be more reflection off the saphire crystal than there should be?
Hi William,
Those reflections are more likely to be indicative of my skill as a photographer and the short amount of time I have to shoot the watches during Baselworld than an issue with the watches themselves.
Dark dials are particularly difficult to shoot without reflections as they highlight the reflections from the white light box I usually use. White reflections against a light dial do not show as strongly.
Regards, Ian
Thank you for an informative article. Haldimann’s H9 Reduction watch first drew my attention. Yes, it’s a philosophical statement, and a very expensive one, but I feel very important. There are many facets to time, and time largely rules our lives. Haldimann gets my respect.