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Hautlence are independent Swiss watchmakers founded in 2004, known for their innovative and avant-garde approach to watchmaking. The name Hautlence is an anagram of "Neuchâtel," the Swiss city renowned for its horological heritage. Hautlence distinguish themselves by combining traditional craftsmanship with bold, modern designs, often challenging conventional perceptions of time displays and watch mechanics. Their watches are part of the high-end luxury market and are often made in limited quantities, making them sought after by collectors.
One of Hautlence's defining characteristics is their use of non-traditional displays, including jumping hours, retrograde minutes, and other complications that break from standard time-telling methods. Their "TV screen" case shape, used in many of their early models, became a signature feature, contributing to their unique identity. They frequently incorporate innovative materials like titanium and advanced mechanical movements, some developed in-house. Since their inception, Hautlence have stayed true to their mission of creating bold, original timepieces that push the limits of traditional horology.
Noteworthy Collections
Launched in 2005, the HL Series was Hautlence’s debut collection and introduced their now-iconic “TV screen” case shape. It set the tone for their aesthetic, merging a retro-futuristic design with pioneering mechanical complications. The collection is known for its jumping hour and retrograde minute displays, housed in innovative cases that blend vintage inspiration with contemporary styling. The HL Series, with its in-house movements and multi-level dials, perfectly encapsulates Hautlence’s design ethos of merging tradition with innovation.
The HL Vagabonde, launched in 2018, showcases Hautlence’s mastery of blending artistic design with mechanical complexity. It features a unique wandering hours complication, where the hour disc “wanders” across the dial, while the minutes are displayed in the centre. This orbital display of time creates a mesmerising visual effect, offering an alternative to traditional time displays. The Vagabonde is housed in their signature “TV screen” case.
The Vortex collection, launched in 2015, exemplifies Hautlence’s architectural and kinetic approach to timekeeping. With rotating escapements and three-dimensional case designs, these timepieces are as much mechanical sculptures as they are wristwatches. The Vortex models offer a dynamic display of time, with intricate inner workings visible through large, angular cases. The Vortex 01, powered by the HL2.0 movement, features a cage that rotates 60 degrees every hour, a technical marvel that complements the watch’s industrial, futuristic look.
Furthermore, the Moebius, launched as part of the Vortex collection, takes its name from the famed Möbius strip, a symbol of infinity and continuous movement. True to its name, the Moebius features a rotating escapement that shifts every hour, creating an ever-changing dial display. Its design is visually and mechanically dynamic, with a bold, angular case emphasising its architectural look. The Moebius is truly a masterpiece of kinetic art in watchmaking. Lastly, the Invictus collection, introduced in 2014, represents Hautlence’s foray into more accessible and wearable luxury watches. The line features chronographs, marking a departure from their typical complication-focused designs.