Haute horology manufacture Hautlence has just announced an interesting new watch complication – the HL Sphere – which features a spherical jumping hour display and a retrograde minute indication.
The jumping hour, protected by a domed sapphire crystal, spins on a blue sphere that rotates on three axes to show the current hour via white Arabic numerals (on the left side of the dial). The minute hand moves along a 180° sector, and then instantly jumps to zero once it hits 60-minutes (on the right side of the dial).
According to Hautlence, “This hypnotic dance, which initially appears totally random, actually follows a strict choreography, dictated by four conical gears that move around two crossed spindles inclined at an angle of 21 degrees. Two polished titanium cases featuring a blue PVD treatment adorn this conical differential to create a yin and yang watchmaking composition that forms a sphere.”
Presented in Hautlence’s signature rectangular-shaped “TV Screen” case, the Sphere wristwatch comes in 18K white gold and measures 39 mm x 46 mm x 12 mm, with a 3.75 mm protrusion for the domed sapphire above the hour display.
Driving the HL Sphere is hand-wound caliber HTL 501-1, which beats at 3Hz, has 38 jewels, a power reserve of 72 hours, and features a hand-decorated movement.
Limited to 28 pieces. Will be officially announced at Baselworld 2019.
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