Hautlence’s Sphere Series 5 pairs a snow-white jumping hour sphere with retrograde minutes, limited to 28 pieces worldwide.
Hautlence occupies a unique space in watchmaking due to the very nature of the timepieces it creates. Founded in 2004 in Neuchâtel, the brand takes its name from an anagram of its birthplace, connecting it nicely to its Swiss watchmaking roots. For those who may not know, Hautlence’s approach to watchmaking is centred on unconventional ways of displaying time, with mechanical motion becoming part of the display itself.
Art and architecture are central influences on the design of these timepieces, especially in their unique shapes, exposed structures, and the sense of depth within their dials. The three-dimensional mechanisms add to the sculptural design, while the moving components further enhance the watches’ visual identity. Hautlence produces these timepieces in limited quantities, which makes sense given the complexity of the designs. Around 200 watches are produced annually, and the brand has developed ten calibres in-house while also sourcing movements externally for certain collections.
Most of the collections in Hautlence’s current lineup feature a TV-like design, with cases that resemble old-school box televisions and intricate dials that showcase the brand’s mechanical expertise. The Sphere collection is the epitome of this design concept, reflecting the brand’s unconventional approach to watchmaking. Within the box-like case, the hours are revealed by a rotating sphere rather than indicated by a traditional hour hand. Then there’s the 180-degree retrograde minute display, bringing two different forms of mechanical time indication together.
The latest Sphere Series 5 introduces a white interpretation of this design concept, described by Hautlence as the “Snow White Sphere”. The white treatment certainly helps the model stand out on the wrist, but it also draws attention to the spherical display, its layered construction and the overall open architecture of the dial.
A Titanium TV Case Frames the Snow White Sphere
The rectangular case of the Hautlence Sphere Series 5 is crafted from Grade 5 titanium and measures 37mm in height and 45mm in width, retaining that distinctive wide format seen throughout most of the brand’s collections. It does, however, have a substantial thickness of 17.4mm, with the sapphire crystal accounting for approximately 6mm of that height. This is certainly a watch that will have presence on the wrist, but then again, given the nature of its design, it’s not exactly meant to be discreet.
While the case might have a substantial profile, the use of titanium for the case middle, lugs, bezel and crown keeps the overall weight lower than that of an equivalent steel construction. The case also features satin-brushed and polished finishes, which help distinguish the different surfaces and emphasise its angular construction. The sapphire crystal adds to the overall thickness, as it needs to accommodate the raised spherical display.
There are two distinctive elements when it comes to the dial. The left side features a jumping hour sphere that rotates on three axes, repositioning itself at each hour change to reveal the next numeral. It’s an incredibly fascinating display and an ingenious way of interpreting the jumping hour mechanism. For this edition, Hautlence has given the sphere a white coating. The sphere itself is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, just like the case, giving the three-dimensional display a lightweight structure.
On the opposite side is the openworked retrograde minute display. The minutes are shown across a 180-degree sector, making them easy to follow alongside the spherical jumping hour display. The applied Arabic minute numerals are made from Globolight, making them luminous in low light while adding a layer of colour to the transparent display.
The skeletonised structure of the dial also brings together different materials. The outer structure framing both the spherical jumping hour and the retrograde minute display is made from rhodium-plated brass with a frosted finish. The polished surfaces visible in the retrograde minute mechanism contrast beautifully with the surrounding matt finish.
Behind the Hour Jump: The Openworked Calibre A82
Inside the Hautlence Sphere Series 5 sits the hand-wound mechanical calibre A82, designed and assembled in the brand’s workshops. It’s made up of 160 components and has an openworked structure. The movement operates at 3Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) and delivers a minimum power reserve of 72 hours, giving the watch at least three days of running time on a full wind.
The sapphire caseback reveals more of the calibre A82’s openworked architecture. Its dark bridge surfaces contrast nicely with the bright bevelled edges, helping define the outlines of the individual components. The openworked barrel reveals the coiled mainspring, making the movement’s energy storage system part of the mechanical display. And without an automatic winding rotor, we get a clearer view of how the movement is put together.
Initial Thoughts
It’s clear from the outset that Hautlence is no ordinary watchmaker. I had the privilege of seeing some of its timepieces up close during Geneva Watch Days, and having handled a few models in the Sphere collection, I can say that seeing the spherical jumping hour mechanism in motion is incredible, to say the least. The brand is also no stranger to using bold colours to make its timepieces visually appealing. Compared to the other models in the Sphere collection, the white colour scheme gives the Sphere Series 5 a different personality, all while retaining its signature mechanical display.
The frosted surfaces, transparent sapphire and metallic components give this latest edition visual variety without relying on strong, bold colours. With white dominating the dial, the spherical jumping hours and retrograde minutes have a more subdued look than on other Sphere timepieces. That doesn’t mean they’re any less captivating.
Limited to just 28 pieces worldwide, the Sphere Series 5 gives Hautlence’s unconventional mechanical design a fresh look, with each jump of the hour sphere giving you another reason to stop and admire this work of mechanical art!
Hautlence Sphere Series 5
References & Specifications:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| References: | DA82-TI02 |
| Dimensions | 37mm high x 45mm wide x 17.4mm thick; 11.5mm thick without the front sapphire crystal |
| Case Material | Rectangular Grade 5 titanium case with satin-finished and polished surfaces; crown engraved with the Hautlence logo |
| Case Back | Sapphire crystal exhibition caseback |
| Dial | Skeletonised rhodium-plated brass base dial with a frosted finish; white-coated Grade 5 titanium jumping hour sphere with grey Super-LumiNova numerals; 180-degree retrograde minute display with applied Globolight numerals on a sapphire track |
| Crystal | Bevelled sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment |
| Movement | Hand-wound manufacture calibre A82 with spherical jumping hours and retrograde minutes; 160 components and 31 jewels; operates at 3Hz, or 21,600vph |
| Power Reserve | Minimum 72 hours |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM, or 100 metres |
| Bracelet | White suede leather strap with a titanium folding clasp; additional green and red suede straps included with the Mexican launch edition |