Introducing – Hautlence Invictus Vida Loca Choppers Chronograph (live photos, specs & price)

Until recently, Hautlence was all about the display, watches that used to show time in a different way, by using jumping discs and retrograde hands – for the HL Ti 2 or for the HLRQ – or even a tourbillon, rotating via a chain, which was also capable of displaying the hours – for the HL2 and the Vortex. Far from being simple, and cheap. In 2014, the brand went for something easier (mechanically) but still uber-complex (visually) with the Destination, quickly followed by their first chronograph, the Invictus. Both watches are focused on design and materials, and this is what we find back in the latest creation, the Hautlence Invictus Vida Loca Choppers chronograph. Rebellious again!

This Hautlence Invictus Vida Loca Choppers chronograph is the result of the meeting between the master watchmaker at Hautlence (which also happens to be a passionate biker) and customs bike workshop owners. Vida Loca Choppers is one of the best places in Switzerland if you have in mind to highly custom your bike – or even to create an entire project. Knowing Hautlence’s values – “Cross the line” as a motto, strong design, a sort of rebellious mind – the partnership seemed to be rather obvious. Based on the Invictus Chronograph, which was first introduced in the Morphos Limited Edition, created together with football star Eric Cantona, this new Hautlence Invictus Vida Loca Choppers chronograph boasts several attributes to make it even more “chopper-oriented“.

The Vida Loca Choppers edition uses the rectangular-shaped case, so dear to Hautlence. Measuring 42mm x 49mm x14 mm, it is definitely a large watch, to be categorized in the robust, sporty watches section. However, from our own experience, it wears pretty well. Lugs are short and the strap goes straight around the wrist. This edition has a middle case and lugs made in bead-blasted titanium. The “bumpers” (protections on each side of the case) as well as the pushers and crown are polished steel with a black PVD coating. Finally, the bezel is bead-blasted stainless steel with a black PVD coating. All of that creates a robust and solid watch, with a  strong design but lightweight. The watch is secured on the wrist by a “hornback” crocodile leather strap in black, with light green stitchings.

The dial is the part that evolved most, with a large stylized skull, engraved and applied on top of the dial, which is the emblem of Vida Loca Choppers. it is framed by two honeycomb inserts on a black and green background, a motif that is a signature of Hautlence watches. This skull is large and actually covers 2 of the usual chronograph sub-dials – the small second usually at 12 and the 12-hour counter at 6. The 30-minute counter is cut in half and now uses a 2-side hand and the date, visible in a widow at 3, is still visible. Usual for hautlence creations, the numerals are applied on a floating sapphire plate and secured by specifically-shaped screws.

Inside this Hautlence Invictus Vida Loca Choppers is an automatic chronograph movement, beating at 28,800vph and partially skeletonized to reveal gears and levers. The movement is composed of a Dubois Dépraz 293 skeleton chronograph module, based on a Soprod A10 movement. It comprises 45 jewels and boasts 42 hours of power reserve. The back is plain and engraved with the Vida Loca Choppers logo and the “Horlogerie Suisse” mention.

This Hautlence Invictus Vida Loca Choppers chronograph is a limited edition of 28 pieces and will be priced at 19,500 Swiss Francs (retail price).

Specifications of the Hautlence Invictus Vida Loca Choppers chronograph

• Case: 42mm x 49mm x14 mm – titanium grade 2 middle case, steel bumpers and bezel, with black PVD coating – sapphire crystal on front – 50m water resistant
• Movement: Soprod A10 base with Debois Depraz chronograph module – automatic – 42h power reserve – 28,800 vibrations/h – hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph
• Strap: black hornback crocodile leather strap with folding buckle