The HAUTLENCE watch brand from Neuchâtel springs a surprise at the Baselworld International Watch and Jewellery Show by presenting a first line under its recently launched “Signature” label. Drawing inspiration from the House style codes while reinterpreting them, DESTINATION addresses cosmopolitan watch lovers by offering a complication that is a first for the brand: a dual time-zone indication. 

 HAUTLENCE has thus far equipped all its models with in-house developed and assembled calibres under the “ATELIER” label. While the development of its own movements is an integral part of the brand DNA and will continue to be so, HAUTLENCE has made no secret of its interest in external cooperative endeavours on certain lines. Under the “SIGNATURE” commercial label, the brand now offers series-produced models driven by externally sourced movements. DESTINATION, presented at Baselworld 2013, is the first line to carry this label. 

Picking up the original HAUTLENCE characteristics (architectural DNA, pure lines and a 3D spirit), while asserting its own more accessible style, DESTINATION is equipped – for the first time in brand history – with a self-winding movement sourced from an external partner, and thus able to offer new functions: the hours and minutes are complemented by a large date and a 12-hour dragging dual time-zone display, revealed by a 24-hour day/night indicator. 

The interplay of discs and reading indications through transparency effects is an integral part of the brand spirit; to achieve this, the movement was modified in comparison with its standard execution – a process that involved altering the day/night indication and adapting the hand cylinders. 

For this first line to appear under the “Signature” label, HAUTLENCE has opted for a mechanical self-winding Soprod 935I/A10-2 movement. Housed in a titanium case, this calibre adorned with circular Côtes de Genève is protected by an opaline base dial topped by a sapphire intermediate dial on which the Arabic numerals appear to be floating weightless – a recurrent feature of HAUTLENCE designs. The base dial is composed of several elements, including the large date bridge engraved with the brand name, as well as a central ring bearing the minutes markings. A small opening in the case-back provides a chance to view the regulating organ and the oscillating weight. The back is also engraved with the characteristics of this line: the name “DESTINATION”, the series number, the time zones of 12 main cities, along with technical specifications and the brand-specific inscriptions “HAUTLENCE” and “Horlogerie Suisse”. The hand-sewn, rolled-edge strap is made of square-scale Louisiana alligator leather. 

Intended both for brand aficionados and for a more eclectic clientele, DESTINATION is issued in numbered, non-limited series. It comes in three versions, available from autumn 2013 onwards:

Destination 01: opaline black dial with “Clous de Paris” hobnail motif, sapphire intermediate dial, steel case with black DLC coating and 18-carat 5N red gold plating 

Destination 02: opaline silver-toned dial, intermediate sapphire dial, grade 5 titanium case 

Destination 03: opaline black and honeycomb-motif dial, sapphire intermediate dial, case with black DLC coating