The Ulysse Saint-Petersbourg by Beauregard x Vianney Halter

Alexandre Beauregard is a friendly character who has been gravitating toward the world of independent watchmaking for a few years now – although he is, above all, known for his expertise as a jeweller and gemmologist at his workshop in Montréal, Canada. Until recently, he had presented exclusively watch collections for women; in 2024, he presented his first men’s watch with the support of independent watchmaker Vianney Halter. This singular creation at the intersection of fine watchmaking and high jewellery craftsmanship was inspired by the Art Deco school and the organic beauty of the marine universe. Now, on the occasion of Geneva Watch Days 2026, a second iteration of the Ulysse Collection is presented. As its name suggests, the Saint-Petersbourg edition is inspired by the Venice of the North and the sublime beauty of yesteryear’s Fabergé masterpieces.

This new Beauregard Ulysse limited edition celebrates the artistic influence of Saint-Petersbourg and gem-cutting tradition. First, its mesmerising dial catches the eye. A unique rose gold lacework creates a floral composition of 85 colored gemstones; it evokes the opulence and refinement of the Imperial Russian court. Like a stained-glass window in precious stone, it includes 4 rock crystals, 12 amethysts, 13 fanta opals, 12 fire opals, 12 topazes, 12 yellow opals, and 20 peridots, each precisely hand-carved and set on a delicate canvas in Beauregard’s atelier in Montréal. This colourful transparent assembly changes character with every movement; all the more as it captures and uniquely reveals light, thanks to a mother-of-pearl disc positioned beneath the stones. Last but not least, rather than mounted conventionally at the centre of the dial, the hour and minute hands are mounted originally to follow its unique architecture. An innovative mechanism was developed with Vianney Halter (more on this later) to drive them from two discs with internal peripheral gearing.

If the creativity and the stone composition obviously owe much to the Beauregard jewellery expertise, that of Vianney Halter comes into play for the horological side of things. Based on the UhrTeil AG (Andreas Strehler’s movement-making company) SA-30 architecture, seen for instance in the Strehler Sirna, several CvdK models or the Gronefeld 1941 Principia, the movement of the Ulysse Saint-Petersbourg is upgraded together with the Sainte-Croix independent watchmaker. Its elegant architecture can be seen through the back of the watch via its sapphire crystal, all the more so that it is fitted with Halter’s mysterious winding system. A transparent sapphire disc is used as the (in)visible central rotor section to connect it with the heavy mass positioned at its periphery. 

From a technical perspective, its large balance wheel runs at 21,600 vibrations/hour while its power reserve is rated at 56 hours. The movement is finished in a style that is both sober and elegant, yet distinctly modern and elaborate. The rotor is engraved with the names of Alexandre Beauregard and Vianney Halter to celebrate their friendship and collaboration. It also features the Latin maxim “Vulnerant omnes, ultima necat” (they all wound; the last one kills).

This refined calibre is housed in a round pink gold case. At 41mm in diameter, it is topped by a domed sapphire crystal and its crown is adorned with a Peridot. On the wrist, the Ulysse is anything but conventional and its presence immediately catches the eye. Yet, it wears smaller than its diameter would suggest thanks to its short lugs (45.5mm lug-to-lug). And without doubt, it is quite a conversation starter – the kind of watch that naturally prompts a question: “What exactly am I looking at?”

The Beauregard Ulysse Saint-Petersbourg is presented on a chestnut alligator strap without stitching, fitted with an 18K rose gold pin buckle. It is released in a limited edition of 10 watches only. The price is set at CHF 148,000 excl. taxes. For more details, please visit www.beauregard.ch.