Hautlence - HL Sphere

0 0 Saturday, 16 March 2019 Edit this post

The new Hautlence HL Sphere offers a different way to indicate the time with a jumping hour display that spins on a sphere.

A blue sphere occupying the left-hand portion of the case features twelve engraved numerals and rotates on itself through three rotation axes to reveal the current hour.

This is possible thanks to four conical gears that move around two crossed spindles inclined at an angle of 21 degrees. Two polished titanium cases featuring a blue PVD treatment adorn this conical differential forming a sphere.

To the right of the sphere is a retrograde minute display with a hand that travels along a minute track that opens onto the movement partly revealing the balance. This aperture brings the gear train into view, which slows down the course of the minute hand when it returns to zero, regulating its speed so as to reduce impact forces.

The differential and snail used to trigger the jumping hour can also be seen beneath the minute hand. The minute track and the applied silvered diamond-polished minute numerals are fixed to an intermediary sapphire crystal dial with a smoked metallic finish that adds to the piece's transparency.

The white gold case of the HL Sphere has the signature TV screen shape and is 46 mm wide x 39 mm high x 12 mm thick excluding the 3.75 mm dome. The white gold notched crown, engraved with the Hautlence logo, is used to wind the watch and set the time.

The HTL 501-1 hand-wound calibre beats at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) with a power reserve of 3 days. The movement is fitted with a safety mechanism that prevents incorrect manipulation during reverse time setting, leading the movement to simply rotate freely without any risk of damaging the mechanism.

Secured to the wrist by an alligator-leather strap in the same blue shade as the sphere, the Hautlence HL Sphere is a limited edition of 28 pieces with a price of Swiss Francs 99,000 / Euro 97,800. hautlence.com