A piece that pushes the accepted parameters of autonomy into completely new territory, the Haute-Rive Honoris 1 is a technical triumph for Stéphane von Gunten. And, while the mechanical demands of this extraordinary attribute mean that almost every element of this profound watch is designed and engineered around accommodating this unique technical feat, the model still retains the elegance and splendour of a piece of classically inspired haute horlogerie. 

Measuring 42.5mm across and 11.95mm tall, the 18ct white gold case is polished throughout and has a flat waist section, with a crown at the three o’clock position and a chrono-style pusher at the two. This pusher operates a column wheel selector, visible on the dial, which activates the time setting functionality via the crown, which does not need to be pulled out, as the main spring is wound directly by rotating the bezel. 

Beneath the sapphire crystal, the lustrous surface of the black dial is achieved using Grand Feu enamelling, a colour tone which notably adds a high degree of difficulty to the hand-enamelling process. The upper half of the dial is dominated by a large, skeletonised fifteen spoke wheel, which is toothed around its outer edge. This signature ‘time wheel’ slowly transfers the power stored in the mainspring under the dial to the exposed gears, which in turn drive the hour and minute hands. The polished screwed stem of the crown is also exposed in a cutaway channel, connecting the crown to the setting mechanism. while the flying tourbillon at the six o’clock position seems to float as it rotates serenely in a sixty second cycle.

On the underside, another feature unique to Honoris 1 is the full-width reserve de marche display, which employs an enamel ring, with white numerals moving around past a static red triangle, to indicate the state of power reserve remaining.

Inside the case, the proprietary HR01 movement runs at a frequency of 3Hz (21,600 vib/h), and considering how much of the already confined space the coiled three metre long main spring which spans the width of the case consumes, at only 7.75mm tall, condensing all of the horological innovation and problem solving required to achieve this 1,000 hour reserve, the movement compounds the technical mastery of the Honoris 1.

Certainly a watch for the connoisseur collector with a keen eye for a piece of historical significance, uncompromising haute horlogerie hand finishing and profound horological engineering, the Haute-Rive Honoris 1 is an exceptional timepiece of our age, and unsurprisingly, an instant Guinness World Record holder.

Presented on a leather strap, with 18ct white gold pin buckle, the Honoris 1 is to be manufactured in a limited production of around ten pieces per year.