Founded in 2004, and by breathing a new dynamic into the art of watchmaking, HAUTLENCE is dedicated to paying tribute to the cradle of watchmaking, gaining recognition among watchmaking collectors and connoisseurs the world over. It has a portfolio of four calibres designed and developed in-house, while relying on external partners for the movements of certain collections. It launched the HL calibre in 2005, followed in 2009 by the HLQ calibre, with the brand’s third calibre, the HLC, hot on its heels. 2011 saw the introduction of the high-flying HL2.0 calibre in a variety of different versions. Since 2012, HAUTLENCE has enjoyed the support of MELB Holding, which has placed its experience and network at the brand’s disposal with the aim of developing effective synergies between HAUTLENCE and the group as a whole. 

HAUTLENCE has pushed back the boundaries of traditional watchmaking by drawing on its roots and uniting them with innovative mechanical solutions borrowed from other industrial universes and imbued with architecture and design cues. The brand derives inspiration from these generous sources in creating new approaches to reading time and in making its mark on watchmaking history. Acutely aware of the two essential dimensions of time and space, HAUTLENCE is concerned with actively cultivating its rapport with aesthetic beauty by inventing timepieces distinguished by consistently original curves and depths. 

Kicking off the tenth anniversary celebrations 

The inauguration of the CROSS THE LINE World Tour took place in Neuchâtel, in the magnificent setting of the Centre Dürrenmatt, where HAUTLENCE hosted the Swiss and European press, as well as its distributors, trade partners, suppliers and friends. 

A keen art lover, Eric Cantona started his collection when he was just 22 years old and today has more than a hundred works. He has committed to placing a selection of these at the disposal of HAUTLENCE in order to demonstrate his artistic sensibility. This is a lesser known side to his personality which directs him in his creations, be it in the fields of movies, photography, painting, literature or even in terms of designing HAUTLENCE products. 

As part of a veritable invitation to reflect on the passing of time, HAUTLENCE has thus selected street art creations, bringing these works as part of a travelling exhibition entitled the CROSS THE LINE World Tour. 

Alongside the works from Eric Cantona’s collection, as part of this exceptional event, HAUTLENCE pays tribute to the iconic creations that have been the backbone of its reputation since 2004, as well as timepieces from its current collection and watches produced in partnership with Eric Cantona. The exhibition will be progressively enriched with the launches of different models resulting from the partnership with the star. 

Following the Neuchâtel launch, the CROSS THE LINE World Tour visits Singapore in November and Hong Kong in December. The World Tour will continue in 2015 and 2016 to an as yet unnamed number of destinations. Eric Cantona will present the fruits of his collaboration with HAUTLENCE at every stop, which will be organised in partnership with the media and players in the relevant local business community.