The Hautlence HL2.5 demonstrates the watchmaking prowess of this youthful Independent watchmaking company.  Exuding a powerful wrist presence, this is a stunning timepiece with a contemporary spirit.

The piece is characterised by its vibrant colour accents and stealthy black DLC-coated Grade 5 Titanium watchcase. For the collector who appreciates technically advanced Haute Horlogerie with avant-garde aesthetics, the exclusive 28-piece limited edition HL2.5 model will be a covetable acquisition.

Enabling a full disclosure of its mechanical arrangement, the 42mm x 50mm case of the HL2.5 has been equipped with a generous three-dimensional sapphire crystal which wraps the piece almost in its entirety. Alternating sand-blasted, satin-brushed and hand-polished finishes enhance its darkened profile. Tucked in neatly on its side, the crown is embellished with a micro-machined Hautlence logo.

Beneath this vitreous housing an exceptional façade is revealed.  Dominating the dial, an arc for the retrograde minutes display takes up position.  Upon it, the white Super LumiNova® enhanced Arabic numerals and arrow-tipped minutes hand standout against an intense red background.  In its centre, a logo-inscribed hub is waiting.

As the minutes hand traces each marker, it makes its way along the arc in a gentle, compelling manner.  However, the instant it reaches the 60-minute mark the central hub bursts into an animated flurry, spinning seemingly out of control as it regulates the pace of the move on to the next hour.

Juxtaposed with this dynamic motion, the passing of each hour is agreeably poetic, enabled by the Hautlence half-trailing hour system.  Here, red varnished hour numerals placed on a twelve-link track advance at a leisurely place enabling the wearer to appreciate the moderate transition which takes 3-4 seconds.

To the left of the arc, and visible from the front sapphire and through the sapphire case-side, a full exposé of the mobile balance and escapement assembly provides another irresistible panorama.   Rotating in sync with the hour track and passing through 60° each time, it rotates four times every 24 hours.  Elsewhere, a open-worked indicator on the lower dial keeps check on the impressive 45 hour power reserve via a red varnish-coated hand.

The piece is powered by the in-house HL2 Calibre, which beats at 18,000vph.  It features a two-barrel arrangement to ensure that there is adequate energy available for the hour change without impacting on accuracy.

The meticulous satin-brushed finishing, hand-bevelling and mirror-polished elements are revealed through the rear sapphire where one can also appreciate the unusual architecture of the reverse aspect of the hour pallets and the mobile bridge.

The Hautlence HL2.5 comes presented on a hand-sewn, rolled-edge, large scale Louisiana alligator leather strap with red stitching and folding titanium clasp.