Old Soul by Vianney Halter and Massena LAB
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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 1722 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 Halters signature typeface, reinforce the watchmakers 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.
Who this watch is really for
strong dataBest for
- Collectors looking for a cleaner, dress-leaning independent watch rather than another pure sports watch.
Skip if
- You need a swim-ready sports watch with more water-resistance headroom.
Value note: Value depends on whether the design, specs, and brand story line up for you at the high-end level. Use the official listing for current pricing before deciding.
