HAUTLENCE
HL Sphere
With a newly devised jumping hour that spins
on a stunning blue orb, the Hautlence HL Sphere
again offers the wearer a new method of
viewing the time.
At the left of the well-known Hautlence
TV-screen-shaped case, the namesake sphere
features twelve engraved numerals and rotates
on itself through three rotation axes to reveal
the current hour. Though it appears random,
the appearance of the correct hour numeral is
dictated by four conical gears that move around
two crossed and inclined spindles.
At the right is a retrograde minute display
with a hand that travels along a minute track.
From this vantage point, the wearer can spy the
gear train, which comprises a jumping hour. The
differential and snail used to trigger the jumping
hour can also be seen. Simply look beneath the
minute hand.
The white gold 39mm x 46mm x 12mm case
has been enlarged to better showcase the
movement here, which is the HTL 501-1, a
manually wound caliber with a skeletonized
balance bridge and a skeletonized drum and
ratchet. These expose the barrel spring, which
offers an ingenious visual indication of the
power reserve. Hautlence has fit the caliber with
a safety mechanism that prevents incorrect
manipulation during reverse time setting.
An alligator-leather strap, in the same blue
shade as the sphere, adds the final touch to the
piece. Price: CHF 99,000, or about $102,000.
IW RATING
Design: 9 (out of 10)
Innovation: 9
Clever use of jumping hour.
Finissage: 8
Top-notch.
Legibility: 8
Unusual display takes a moment to take in.
Rarity: 8
Twenty-eight will be made.
Value: 8
Few watches offer comparisons.
Overall iW rating: 50 (out of 60)
SPRING 2020 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 33