One of the most exciting and innovative watch companies to have established a firm presence in the industry is Hautlence, who In little more than ten years have become part of the independent watchmaking ‘establishment’ thanks to their collections of remarkable, beautifully manufactured technical tours de force.

In the truest spirit of avant garde Hautlence, through truly daring contemporary watch design, created their own aesthetic and technical parameters, and a growing following which now spans the world.

Encased in its off-square titanium case with black dlc stainless steel the Hautlence HLRS 03 is a breathtaking blaze of colour and mechanical activity with vivid luminous orange markings and detail, and exposed mobile connecting rods.

Beneath the thick sapphire crystal a black honeycomb mesh frames a multi level display with layered sapphire sections and rotating discs which combines digital and analogue hours and minutes in an almost regulateur-like arrangement, with a fascinating animated retrograde mechanism for the minutes.

A black gold hand with orange arrow tip moves along the minutes scale to the right side of the face with orange five-minute arrows, and then having reached the end of its cycle at the top of the hour, retreats back to its starting point to commence once again. The whole retrograde process is spectacularly brought to life with the hand’s active connecting lever and pivot elements, also highlighted in black with orange, moving at the same time as they too return to reset position.

For the hours, Hautlence have used a disc, visible behind a smoked sapphire panel which highlights the hour at its uppermost, and underlines that with another orange arrow. Rather than jumping, the hour changes in a smooth rolling action in the same moment as the retrograde minutes are retracing, creating a momentary flurry of attention demanding activity. 

Completing the ‘regulateur’ arrangement, the small seconds are shown on a  small sapphire disc on which the numerals are in motion, rotating to align with another orange arrow in the lower left.

The three dimensional experience is accentuated with uninhibited glimpses of the movement below. Every surface has been finished in perlage or grained brush effect, with polished screw heads and minutely detailed geartrain components. Combined with the sheen of the sapphire elements and the way they play deflective tricks with the light, Hautlence have ensured each little detail of the HLRS 03 plays its part in the overall captivating appearance of the watch.

Through the sapphire caseback the rear of the manual winding caliber is visible. Almost an understatement when compared to the front, the plates have been finished in broad Geneva stripes with finely polished edging. 

The titanium case is tempered by beadblasting as are the black dlc coated stainless steel bezels from and rear. Polished Hautlence screws are recessed into the bezel, complementing those retaining the dial parts nearby.

The Hautlence HLRS 03 is presented on a black natural rubber strap which exacerbates a distinctly sporty personality to the HL Atelier collection.

Supplied brand new in box with all accompanying documentation The Limited Edition are pleased to offer one of only 88 pieces to be made.