Hautlence Sphere Series 2
Exactly one year after unveiling its groundbreaking timepiece with the world’s only spherical jumping hours display, HAUTLENCE is revisiting the award-winning timepiece with a bold monochromatic look. Introducing the Sphere Series 2, a limited edition of 28 pieces that’s bound to once again captivate watch-lovers in the most multi-dimensional way.
Challenging the notion of what a wristwatch can be and how we perceive the passage of time has been HAUTLENCE’s calling since the brand’s foundation in 2004. At once an elaborate demonstration of the art and science of watchmaking and as well as a wearable, mechanical work of contemporary art, the Sphere is the epitome of this new-school approach to haute horlogerie. A truly singular creation, the Sphere Series 1 was crowned with the Innovation Prize at the 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), a testament to its innovative uniqueness. And now, the second series of the singular Sphere is being unveiled in a dark, monochromatic execution.
Devoid of any colors, the Sphere Series 2 affirms the outstanding form and function of HAUTLENCE’s mechanical masterpiece in shades of grey and black. Split into two halves to perfectly distinguish the hours and minutes indications, the left portion of the open dial is dedicated to the jumping spherical hours display. Seemingly floating under a sapphire crystal with a slight dome to accommodate it, the sphere is finished in a polished deep anthracite tone. Each of the twelve hours is engraved onto the sphere’s plates, then willed with white Super-LumiNova® for maximum readability. At the end of every hour, the sphere rotates on itself in three axes to reveal the next time. A highly animated and precisely orchestrated movement, the sphere spins using four conical gears, which evolve around two crossed axes inclined at 21 degrees. These unusual gears are partially visible through the openings between the two shells that make up the sphere.
One of HAUTLENCE’s signature complications takes on a dramatic setting in the Sphere Series 2. Opposite the spherical display and occupying the right side of the dial, the retrograde minute hand moves along a 180° arc track crafted in sapphire crystal with a black outline, surrounding an opening on the dial. The large aperture reveals the gear train that slows the movement of the minute hand when it returns to zero, regulating its speed to limit shocks. Beneath it, the freewheel and the snail cam allowing the triggering of the jumping hour can also be observed. The minute track’s white applied numerals are crafted in Globolight®, a ceramic-based material charged with Super-LumiNova® that glows with a blue emission.
This mechanical spectacle of time and motion is framed in HAUTLENCE’s signature TV-shaped case. For the Sphere Series 2, the steel case is given an anthracite PVD finish that perfectly complements the grained grey dial and its various black elements. With a decidedly sporty look and feel, the case is fitted on a black rubber strap and features a notched crown with a matching black rubber ribbon for a better grip. Intended to be worn in any situation, the Sphere Series 2 is water-resistant to 10 ATM.
All this otherworldly horological creativity is made possible by the purpose-built movement. Developed and manufactured in-house, the hand-wound A80 caliber beating driving the Sphere Series 2 model has been designed with optimal performance and visual harmony in mind, with contemporary decoration throughout. It is equipped with an in-house hairspring, produced by Precision Engineering AG, the sister company of HAUTLENCE. Entirely skeletonized, the drum and the ratchet reveal the mainspring of the barrel, offering a visual indication of the 72-hour power reserve. The A80 caliber is equipped with a safety device to prevent incorrect manipulation like reverse time setting, which would otherwise harm the movement’s unique pair of functions.
The Sphere Series 2 is being made in a limited edition of 28 pieces, available to order from authorized HAUTLENCE retailers around the globe.
Technical specifications
Hautlence Sphere Series 2
Reference: BA80-ST01
Limited edition of 28 pieces
Case
- Material: Case middle and horns: satin-finished and polished steel with anthracite PVD coating
- Bezel and crown: satin-finished and polished steel with anthracite PVD coating
- Dimensions: 43.0 x 50.8 x 15.6 mm (10.9 mm without sapphire crystal)
- Crown with engraved HAUTLENCE logo
- Crystal: extra-hard sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, beveling, and dome
- Back: sapphire crystal, engraved «HAUTLENCE», «10 ATM», «Suisse»
- Water resistance: 10 ATM
Dial and hands
- Base dial: skeletonized and rhodium-plated brass with a frosted finishing
- Intermediate dial: sapphire with applied minute numerals in Globolight®
- Hour sphere: polished grade 5 titanium with anthracite PVD treatment, engraved hour numerals with white Super-LumiNova® filling
- Minute hand: satin-finished grade 5 titanium with anthracite PVD treatment, white Super-LumiNova®
Movement
- A80 hand-wound mechanical movement
- Spherical hours and retrograde minutes on a 180° sector
- Power reserve: minimum of 72 hours
- Regulating organ: 21'600 vibrations/hour
- Number of components: 218
- Number of jewels: 37
Functions/Indications
- Hours, minutes
Strap and buckle
- Black rubber
- Buckle: steel with anthracite PVD coating
MSRP: CHF 69'000
For more information, please visit hautlence.com
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