Massena LAB is proud to partner with the legendary independent watchmaker Vianney Halter to create Old Soul, a limited-edition wristwatch that marries Halter's otherworldly vision and technical mastery with Massena LAB's deep reverence of horological history.
For Old Soul, the "soul" in question is its movement: the heartbeat and life force of a watch but also its essence and individual character. After all, the soul is an immortal entity, meant to outlive the physical vessel that contains it.
The development of Old Soul began with the discovery of 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 reimagined and revived in 2025, transformed into an object that is neither past nor present.
Old Soul features a multilayered dial with steampunk influences—a Vianney Halter calling card—as well as 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 9 o'clock, and minutes along the outer chapter ring.
Old Soul employs an ingenious mysterious minute disc system that creates the illusion of a minute hand orbiting in space and floating magically above the dial. Thanks to Halter's technical mastery, Old Soul's 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, reinforce the watchmaker’s touch. Meanwhile, the chemin de fer, or railroad track styling on all three registers, recalls celebrated 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, pleasing shadow across the main plate. A steampunk-inspired shield rests atop the sapphire crystal. Engraved with rounded lines to complement its hourglass shape, the shield is 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 for elegant contrast. The crown is dotted with functional studs that not only enhance the steampunk aesthetic but also improve tactility for easier use.
The movement of Old Soul is on full display through sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating for excellent visibility. The original Minerva caliber 17'22, crafted entirely by hand, is hand-finished with elegant stripes of Cotes de Genève, anglage throughout its architecture, and black polish finishing. Its mainspring barrel is engraved with the signature of the original movement maker, Minerva. The movements are signed with a double emblem bearing the insignias of both Vianney Halter and Massena LAB.
Limited edition of only 47 pieces. Price available upon request.
VIANNEY HALTER
Vianney Halter has been an independent watchmaker since 1994 and a member of the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendents) since 2000.
This groundbreaking horologist has often been described as a “mad scientist” due to his unusual and often theatrical timepieces that involve healthy portions of steampunk, science fiction, and complicated horology, beginning with 1998’s Antiqua Perpetual. Known in particular for his Futur Antérieur and Classic Janvier model families, since 2013 Halter has concentrated on a new style of complicated watchmaking that finds its basis in his deep love of science fiction.
His current collection encompasses timepieces like the Deep Space Tourbillon, Deep Space Resonance, La Resonance, and Art Deco Metropolis models.
To learn more about Vianney Halter, please click here.
ACCOLADES
- Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève - Technical Innovation and Complication Award (2003).
- Premios R&E - Best Craftsmen Master Prize (2008)
- Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève - Special Jury Prize (2010)
- Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève - Best Watchmaker Prize (2011)
- Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève - Innovation Prize (2013)
- Passion Horlogère - Watch of the Year Prize (2013)
- Salon des Grandes Complications - Best Design Watch Prize (2015)
- Musée International d'Horlogerie - Prix Gaia for Artisanal Creation (2016)
- Temporis Awards - Hall of Fame Prize (2016)
- Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion - Best Men's Watch (2017)
Features
Technical Details
Old Soul by Vianney Halter and Massena LAB
Movement
Manual-winding, Minerva caliber 17'22. First developed in the 1920s and used in pocketwatches until 1942. 18,000 half oscillations per hour (2.5 Hz).
Functions
Hours, minutes, and small seconds.
Case
Stainless steel. Polished, concave bezel. Stepped lugs with both polished and brushed surfaces. Studded stainless steel dial shield and studded Vianney Halter steampunk-inspired crown.
Dial
Three-dimensional, multilayered dial with time split between three registers. Mystery minute display. Hours at three o'clock, seconds at nine o'clock. Minutes on outer chapter ring.
Crystal
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Exhibition case back also with sapphire crystal.
Bracelet
Navy blue calfskin leather made in Italy. Stainless steel Massena LAB pin buckle.
MYSTERIOUS MINUTES
Old Soul employs an ingenious minute disc system that creates the illusion of a minute hand orbiting in space and floating magically above the dial.
Drawing on Halter's technical mastery, Old Soul's movement has been modified to incorporate a transparent minute disc used to achieve the mystery dial complication—marking the first time a vintage movement has been used in this way.
The concept of a floating minute hand, which seems to orbit along a central axis, is another nod to Vianney Halter's deep appreciation for science-fiction, and Star Trek in particular.
Occupying a space somewhere between Captain Nemo and Captain Kirk, Vianney Halter's interest in science fiction media can be felt in his Deep Space Tourbillon and Deep Space Resonance.
"TIME IS THE FIRE IN WHICH WE BURN"
The case back of Old Soul is signed with the signatures of both Vianney Halter and Massena LAB as well as a unique serial number. At the top of the case, between the lugs is a fine engraving: “Time is the Fire in which we burn,” borrowed from the American poet Delmore Schwartz (1913-1966).
The line, taken from the poem Calmly We Walk through This April's Day was popularized in the 1994 science-fiction film, Star Trek Generations. In the film, the line is uttered by the actor Malcom McDowell in his role as the villain Tolian Soran, the murderer of Captain Kirk.
Fans and collectors of Vianney Halter will undoubtedly be familiar with the watchmaker’s appreciation of science fiction and his enthusiasm for the Star Trek series in particular.
Movement
• Manual-wind, vintage Minerva 17'22 caliber crafted by hand starting in the 1920s before the invention of CNC machines.
• Modified to integrate a mysterious minutes complication--the first time a vintage movement has been used in this way.
• Diameter: 39.25mm.
• 17 jewels.
• 18,000 half oscillations per hour (2.5 Hz) with approximately 36 hours of power reserve.
• Breguet balance spring
• Hand-finished in the days before CNC machines: Côtes de Genève, anglage, black polish finishing.
Limited Edition
• Limited to 47 pieces.
• Made in Switzerland.
Dial
• Three dimensional, multilayered dial with time in a regulator display, split between three independent registers.
• Hours displayed on subsidiary dial at three o’clock. Seconds at nine o’clock. Minutes on the outer chapter ring.
• Mystery minute display. A rotating sapphire disc with blued steel arrow gives the illusion of a floating minute hand.
• Arabic numerals in Vianney Halter signature typeface.
• Double signed “Vianney Halter” and “Massena” – signatures etched into sapphire crystal.
Case
• Stainless steel.
• Diameter: 42mm.
• Thickness: 12mm including crystal.
• Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Exhibition case back also with sapphire crystal and antireflective coating.
• Concave bezel, polished, with stepped lugs featuring mixed polished and brushed surfaces to accentuate details.
• Studded Vianney Halter steampunk style crown adorned with Vianney Halter “VH” signature.
• Water-resistance: 3 ATM.
Warranty
• Two-year guarantee.
