Since its founding in 2004, Hautlence paves the way forward for innovation and creating new approaches to time display. For it’s Baselworld 2018 releases, Hautlence pushes the boundaries of traditional watchmaking once again with the HL Vagabonde & HL Newton.
HL Vagabonde 01 & 02
Available in two versions, the HL Vagabonde 01 & 02 takes inspiration from satellite systems. Three discs, openworked to display the hours, orbit around the central minute disc. The effect is magical: the circular dance of the numbers is hypnotic.
Set on different levels, four discs add volume to the dial, which provides a deep black background. The largest, made of sapphire adorned with HAUTLENCE’s signature HONEYCOMB pattern, displays the minutes within a 240° sector. Orbiting around this central point, and spread out across the dial in perfect harmony, are three smaller skeleton discs, openworked to allow the hour numerals to be seen once they come into the correct alignment. The font used for the hours has been chosen to resemble digital numerals made mechanical.
The HL Vagabonde model is available in a choice of two versions. The HL Vagabonde 01, a classic
monochrome version, which showcases tones of grey, black and white, and the HL Vagabonde 02, a sportier and dynamic version in black and vibrant orange. Highlighting the minute display sector, a thin white or orange line contours the disc. The 240° angle of the sector ensures outstanding precision from a technical point of view. Driving the rotation of the discs is the HTL 205-1 bidirectional self-winding movement, developed from the HMC200 movement created by H. Moser & Cie.
Made from titanium or DLC-coated titanium, the HL Vagabonde case boasts the TV screen shape prominent to HAUTLENCE. The case has been specially reworked for these pieces, reinterpreting the brand’s signature codes. Enlarged and equipped with a wider opening on the dial, it truly showcases the complication. With its balanced proportions, the HL Vagabonde model sits perfectly on the wrist. The fluted crown is made from polished grade 5 or DLC-coated titanium, and is engraved with the HAUTLENCE logo.
A black alligator leather strap with full square scales adds a masculine finishing touch.
HL Newton
Sticking true to its principle of innovation, the HL Newton introduces a new way of displaying the time.
Equipped with a new self-winding manufacture calibre, the HL Newton uses the jumping hour principle. But instead of the hour jumping in a static window, HAUTLENCE opted for a moving window that approaches the hour numeral. It all happens under the effect of gravity, using a mobile window supported on three bearings with an off-centre weight. This results in a watch that indicates the time only when required.
On a mechanical level, a central wheel skeletonised in the form of the famous Moebius symbol, drives the blued minute hand, which is tipped with a white arrow. It also actuates the silvered opaline disc featuring the skeletonised hours. While the hours and minutes follow their inexorable trajectory, a mobile central flange with a blue DLC coating is driven by a snail, which performs a full revolution every 60 minutes. This weighted flange, which bears the brand’s logo, features the minute track numerals and a window that displays the time, when desired by the wearer. The flange then moves to the correct location, bringing the window to the hour and the minute track opposite the hand. The movement is gentle, thanks to a brake that prevents shocks.
When the wrist is in a random position, the time is not visible and the minute track is out of phase with the minute hand’s travel. It is HAUTLENCE’s mechanical version of the sleep mode found on connected watches, in an affectionate nod characteristic of the company.
The HL Newton model features the TV screen shape so dear to HAUTLENCE. The titanium case has been specially reworked for these pieces, reinterpreting the brand’s signature codes. Enlarged and equipped with a wider opening on the dial, it truly showcases the complication while preserving the harmonious proportions. The fluted crown is made from titanium and bears the engraved HAUTLENCE logo. The opaline base dial is equipped with silvered inserts engraved with the brand’s characteristic HONEYCOMB pattern, which adds a second layer to the dial.
An alligator leather strap with full square scales in the same shade of blue as the mobile window adds the finishing touch.
