Three patents have been filed for second-generation “Concepts d’exception” watches in the HL2.0 collection by Hautlence, a 21^st century brand known for its exclusive concepts in time reading. The first naturally concerns the display – a jumping hour type composed of a 12-link chain hinged on a pallet system. The half-trailing system was chosen rather than the overly fast instant system or the trailing system that would have prevented a proper display. The chain thus turns in three to four seconds with no shocks and no loss of energy. Moreover, the HL2.0 watches indicate the minutes by means of a brand-signature retrograde hand, as well as the power reserve. The mechanical movement, the first automatic caliber in-house Hautlence movement, comprises a mobile baguette-type module protected by a second patent. It contains the regulating organ and pivots 60° at each change of hour, thereby compensating for gravity-induced variations in rate. The sapphire crystal on the left-hand side affords optimal views of this mechanism in action. The third patent relates to the twin barrels. The main barrel, which is charged via a solid gold oscillating weight, transmits the energy required to charge a second barrel exclusively dedicated to driving the hours chain. The latter is constantly rearmed by the former and the required energy is thus optimal at each jump. The choice of independent energy supplies for these complex systems serves to maintain the chronometric precision of the watch.

 

After the HL2.1 and HL2.2 models, respectively introduced in white and pink gold, the HL2.3 and HL2.4 are made from titanium and come in a choice of black PVD-coated case with pink or black gold dial finishing and luminescent white indications ; or a natural titanium case with ruthenium or black dial finishing and luminescent blue indications.

 

 

Avant-Garde HLRS01- HLRS02- HLRS03

Case: titanium case middle and back, steel bezel with or without black DLC coating, sapphire back Dimensions: 46 x 42 mm Movement: mechanical hand-wound, 180 parts, 21,600 vph, 40h power reserve, Fine Watchmaking finishing Functions: jumping hours, retrograde minutes, seconds Dial: sapphire upper dial, opaline or honeycomb-patterned lower dial, mineral glass disc; luminescent white and pink gold metallized or luminescent blue and rhodium metallized or luminescent orange and rhodium metallized displays Strap: rubber, interchangeability spring bar Water resistance: 30 meters

 

Avant-Garde HLRQ03

Case: titanium case middle and back, black DLC-treated steel bezel, sapphire back  Diameter: 44 mm Movement: mechanical hand-wound, 255 parts, 21,600 vph, 40h power reserve, Fine Watchmaking finishing Functions: jumping hours, retrograde minutes, date Dial: sapphire, rhodium metallization, semi-opaque zone, black zone, rhodiumed or luminescent orange numerals and hour-markers Strap: black Louisiana alligator leather, interchangeability spring bar Water resistance: 30 meters

 

The Avant-Garde collection was launched in 2012 with the square HLRS watches equipped with jumping hours, retrograde minutes and a date display. The ergonomically curving case bears a beveled bezel fastened by four original screws. Within this frame, the depth effects are accentuated by two superimposed dials. The first, in transparent sapphire, bears the Hautlence logo and the quarter-hour indications on its upper face, along with semiopaque zones and metallized surrounds on its inner face. The second dial displaying the minutes and seconds is partially openworked to reveal the intricacies of its hand-wound movement, while a mineral glass hours disks sets the final touch to this complex construction. These sophisticated and powerful models are inspired by the aesthetic codes of contemporary design. For Hautlence, this is a “prêt-à-porter” line distinguished by a deliberately lifestyle-oriented character. It plays on depth and transparency to create a weightless effect. On the fascinating dial, the discs are arranged on several levels and an opaque hippodrome-type zone is combined with semi-opaque and transparent zones. The latest 2013 introduction, the round HLRQ03, features daringly orange-tinted numerals and hour-markers on a dial framed by a blackened steel and titanium case fitted with an alligator leather strap.

 

The new Avant-Garde HLRS line comes in three titanium and steel case versions, with or without black DLC coating. They are mainly differentiated by the respective colors of their displays – luminescent white or pink gold metallized ; luminescent blue or rhodium metallized; or luminescent orange and rhodium metallized – and the finishes of their base dials – opaline silver-toned or black honeycomb-patterned.

 

 

Destination 01

Case: black DLC-coated titanium middle and back, pink gold bezel, back featuring sapphire opening Dimensions: 43.5 x 37 mm Movement: mechanical automatic Soprod 9351/A10-2, 28,800 vph, 42h power reserve, circular Côtes de Genève finishing Functions: hours, minutes, large date, dual-time display Dial: upper sapphire dial, opaline black lower dial with Clous de Paris hobnail motif, gold-plated indications, luminescent white or black hands and day/night indicator Strap: black Louisiana alligator leather Water resistance: 30 meters

 

Destination 02

Case: titanium, back featuring sapphire opening Dimensions: 43.5 x 37 mm Movement: mechanical automatic Soprod 9351/A10-2, 28,800 vph, 42h power reserve, circular Côtes de Genève finishing Functions: hours, minutes, large date, dual-time display Dial: upper sapphire dial, opaline silver-toned lower dial with rhodiumed indications, luminescent white or blue hands and day/night indicator Strap: black Louisiana alligator leather Water resistance: 30 meters

 

Destination 03

Case: black DLC-coated titanium, back featuring sapphire opening Dimensions: 43.5 x 37 mm  Movement: mechanical automatic Soprod 9351/A10-2, 28,800 vph, 42h power reserve, circular Côtes de Genève finishing Functions: hours, minutes, large date, dual-time display Dial: upper sapphire dial, opaline black lower dial with honeycomb pattern, rhodiumed or black DLC-coated indications, luminescent black or orange hands and day/night indicator Strap: black Louisiana alligator leather Water resistance: 30 meters

 

With the Destination collection, Hautlence launches an unprecedented complication for the brand in the shape of a dual-time display. In doing so, it is inaugurating a line of Signature movements which, contrary to the Atelier calibers developed and assembled in-house, will be sourced from external partners and will drive more accessible, series-produced watches. The first, from Soprod, is a mechanical automatic movement powering hours, minutes, a large date display and a personalized dualtime indication. Two trailing disks, one for the hours and the other for the day/night indicator, are superimposed and readings are based on a transparency effect – a system well suited both to the brand’s aesthetic codes and to the overall design. Framed by an octagonal case, the base dial bears a large date bridge engraved with the name Hautlence and a central ring bearing the minute track. Above it is a second dial carved from sapphire and carrying applied Arabic hour numerals and the logo. The back features the engravings relating to the brand as well as those specific to the line, such as the 12 main time zones. A small opening reveals the regulating organ and the oscillating weight.

 

The Destination collection comes in three models with various cases – pink gold and black DLC-coated titanium, natural titanium or black DLC-coated titanium – and dials – black base and gold-plated indications ; silver-toned base and rhodiumed or blue indications ; black base and rhodiumed or orange indications.