Weekly Watch Photo – Hautlence HLRQ-01

Earlier this year, the avant-garde watchmakers from Hautlence introduced the HLRQ-02 and HLRQ-03. These were the first round models in the renewed collection, featuring the smokey crystal and new colors; an entirely new look actually. When we saw the new HLRQ-02 and HLRQ-03 we wondered where the number one, HLRQ-01, actually was… This model was released last week during the SIAR (Salón Internacional de Alta Relojería) that was held in Mexico from October 1st to 3rd. Since we couldn’t be there (mrs. Monochrome and I enjoyed a magnificent honeymoon in Rome), the good folks of Hautlence made some excellent Weekly Watch Photo material for us.

So this is again a great way to start the week. Beautiful photos of a new timepiece from one of my favorite watch brands, Hautlence. At the end of the article we’ll share a video in which Guillaume Tetu, Hautlence’s CEO, talks about the very start of Hautlence, their own way of displaying time and the different models and collections. But let’s first have a closer look at the new HLRQ-01.

The sapphire dial is partially transparent, partially colored and has the brand’s name and minute indexes printed on it. This rather unusual combination offers you more than just a glimpse of the movement. In fact, the escapement can be seen through the aperture in the middle of the jumping-hour indication and the connecting-rod and its parts, which control the jumping hour indication, can be seen in the fully transparent aperture of the retrograde minute index. The sapphire dial gives a great sense of dept and transparency, while it also provides a great view on the most important parts of the Hautlence time indicating mechanism.

For those who are new to Hautlence:

• left are the jumping hours: at the end of each hour the triangular indicator (with luminescent material for improved legibility in the dark) jumps to the next hour instantaneously.
• on the right are the retrograde minutes: the hand moves from “1” to “60” in 60 minutes and when it arrives at 60, it jumps back to 1 instantaneously. While it jumps back, a connecting rod give an impulse to the jumping hour mechanism.

From experience I can tell that reading time on a Hautlence is something that goes intuitively. Within an hour or so, your eyes are used to reading the time in a rather unusual but still ‘ergonomic’ way. Besides that, witnessing the retrograde minute hand and jumping hour indication jump at the same moment is very nice and it’s a great discussion piece as well.

The movement is beautifully finished by hand: Côtes de Genève and hand-bevelled edges. The new round case measures 44 mm in diameter and is made in titanium. The case band is first circular satin-brushed and after that it’s black DLC-coated. The lugs, bezel, crown and push-buttons are executed in 18-carat pink gold.

Here is the video with Guillaume Tetu talking about the essence of Hautlence and the different timepieces.

While the HLRQ-02 and HLRQ-03 have a list price of CHF 33,500 (tax included) the new HLRQ-01 with all of its gold parts, comes at a retail price of CHF 41,500 (tax included).

For more information, please visit the Hautlence website.