Luxury independent watch brand Hautlence has recently announced the launch of the latest addition to its already impressive HL2 Collection. The Hautlence HL 2.3 is available in titanium and follows on from the HL2.1 in white gold and the rose gold HL2.2.
First launched in 2011, the HL2 Collection was the result of the brand’s objective to create pure mechanical watches that offered an altogether alternative way of looking at the time. If you are unfamiliar with the HL2 collection, it helped to establish the brand as one of the world’s leading contemporary watch makers.
The hallmark of the HL2.3, like the other watches in the HL2 collection, is its centrally positioned retrograde minute indicator and hour display that uses a 12 link chain and numerals that jump forward each time the hour changes.
The watch includes a power reserve indicator that is also unique in its design and which is located at what would ordinarily be the position of 5 o’clock. Located on the left hand side of the watch is the ‘cage’ that contains an oscillator that rotates 60° every hour and which helps to compensate for the effects that gravity has on the movement.
In order to ensure that enough energy is provided to drive the mechanism, the principal barrel, which is wound by the automatic system, then winds an additional barrel that is able to drive the display complication.
Anyway, don’t just take my word for it, an excellent video showing the movement in action can be found here.
Limited to just 28 pieces, you can only begin to imagine how many hours of skill and expertise it would take to assemble the HL2.3, which at 180,000 CHF (approx £126,000) may go some way to explain its hefty price tag.
You can find out more on the HL2.3, which will surely be one of the main attractions at this year’s Baselworld, on the Hautlence website.
Specifications
Movement: Containing 2 barrels – one finishing barrel, which includes the power reserve for the entire movement, in addition to power for the second barrel, and a complication board. The hours are displayed via a unique 12 chain link system. A specialised speed regulator ensures that rather changing instantly, the hour display changes every 3-4 seconds and completes 48 revolutions at the change of each hour. A one revolution mechanism that is made from a connecting rod and rack is used to activate the hour system. The mobile bridge movement ensures that a regulating organ is able to rotate through 60° at each hour change.
The movement is made up of 552 individual components, has 92 jewels and regulates at 18,000vph. The HL2.3 has a 45 power reserve.
Dial: The sapphire upper dial features minutes and indexes polished in 4N galvanic growth with white superluminova. The lower dial includes 4N metalisation and black PVD area.
Case: crafted from titanium and measuring 50mm x 42mm x 17mm.
Water Resistance: 30 metres.
Strap: Black and brown Louisiana alligator skin, with large square scales, fastened with a titanium folding buckle.
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