The Luscious Haute-Rive Honoris I Lagoverde

Haute-Rive may be a young brand founded in 2022, but it comes with serious horological backing. Its founder, Stéphane von Gunten, is a micromechanical engineer with decades of experience in academic research and high-end watchmaking. When the time came to launch his brand, he named it Haute-Rive, a nod to the original workshop of his great-great-grandfather, Iréné Aubry. The brand’s debut model, named Honoris, is a tribute to this family legacy and a bold technical statement! For the new Honoris I Lagoverde, however, this technicality meets artisanal craftsmanship, thanks to a luscious green handmade dial.

Stephane’s background includes roles in semiconductor R&D, university labs, and key technical development positions at Patek Philippe and Ulysse Nardin. While at Ulysse Nardin, von Gunten worked closely with SIGATEC, Ulysse’s silicon technology partner, on some of the brand’s most advanced projects, many of which were integrated into the iconic Freak series.

The inspiration for Honoris stems from the 1889-patented Hebdomas pocket watch, which boasted an 8-day power reserve. However, Honoris pushes the concept dramatically further: a mechanical wristwatch with a continuous power reserve of 41 days (1,000 hours). This puts it among a rare class of ultra-long-reserve timepieces.

For context: A. Lange & Söhne’s “Lange 31” (2007) runs for 31 days and requires a separate ratcheting key to wind. The Hublot MP05 LaFerrari (2013) extended this to 50 days through 11 mainspring barrels and required a power tool to wind. The Vacheron Constantin Twin Beat (2019) pushed that number to 65 days, but that reserve only applies when the secondary escapement runs at 1.2 Hz while the watch is stationary. On the wrist, it functions as a standard 4-day watch.

In contrast, Honoris maintains its 41-day reserve (approximately 30 days of what we call an ideal chronometric function and the remaining 11 days considered as emergency backup) using a single escapement and without any need for tools, switches, or secondary modes. The entirely developed in-house movement uses advanced engineering to deliver this performance in a wearable, manually wound watch.

The new Lagoverde edition of the Haute-Rive Honoris brings subtle aesthetic updates while preserving the highly technical architecture that makes this watch so remarkable. Housed in a 42.5mm case crafted from white gold, the watch stands just 11.95mm tall, an achievement considering the power stored inside. Its clean, polished surfaces and flat mid-case lend a refined, modern look, complemented by a small fluted crown at 3 o’clock and a discreet pusher at 2 o’clock. That pusher is where the engineering brilliance begins.

Pressing it engages a column-wheel selector, pocking through a circular aperture on the dial near the pusher. This mechanism activates the time-setting mode without the need to pull out the crown, and the Honoris winding system, instead of winding via the crown, uses the rotating bezel. Its vertical edge is subtly serrated for grip, while the top surface is polished, giving it a smoother, more refined appearance compared to the edgier look of the original version. Despite the 3-meter-long mainspring housed inside, winding is quick and smooth, and thanks to a built-in slipping bridle, the watch is protected from overwinding, regardless of how enthusiastic the user is.

The Lagoverde dial retains its distinctive layout, dominated by a skeletonised, 15-spoke toothed wheel that sits above the exposed gearing and is a functional part of the transmission system, transferring power from the mainspring to the centrally mounted, leaf-shaped hour and minute hands. These hands, polished and gently rounded, glide over the intricate mechanics and the wave-like surface beneath.

At 3 o’clock, a pipe-like cutout reveals the crown’s stem, offering a glimpse into the time-setting mechanism. Meanwhile, at 6 o’clock, a one-minute flying tourbillon aperture mirrors the large transmission “time wheel” above, creating a beautifully balanced dial design. A branded plaque sits opposite the crown cutout, completing the symmetry.

A key new feature of this edition is its dial decoration, inspired by Lake Neuchâtel. The hand-engraved white gold base, crafted by master engraver Pierre-Alain Lozeron, captures the perspective of standing at the water’s edge—larger, more pronounced waves at the bottom gradually fade as they reach the top, creating depth and movement. The entire surface is then coated in translucent green Grand Feu enamel, lending the dial its rich, shimmering effect. If your memory of the lake looks different, be sure to check the brand’s website for the image behind this artistic inspiration.

Flip the watch over, and the caseback reveals an orbital power reserve indicator—and among the various power reserve displays we’ve revisited recently, this one stands out. Precision-crafted with informative and decorative plaques, it offers an intuitive readout, with red markings signalling when it’s time to wind the watch. Given the Honoris’ remarkable 30-day chronometric power reserve, you’ll only need to do that once a month.

The Haute-Rive Honoris I Lagoverde is paired with a hand-stitched, green-toned perch fishskin strap—a subtle nod to its lake-inspired dial and natural aesthetic. An incredible timepiece which redefines what’s possible in practical, mechanical autonomy, paired with a beautiful dial, it is a collector’s delight. With only eight pieces being produced, the Lagoverde edition is a true collector’s piece—an ultra-rare fusion of engineering brilliance and artisanal craftsmanship. The price is CHF 188,000, excluding VAT.

For more information, please visit Haute-Rive-Watches.ch.