Like all its innovative predecessors, the HL 2.6 remains true to the collection’s dynamic way of displaying time, offering a three-dimensional dial that brings immense depth to the timepiece. Built on two levels, the lower sapphire crystal dial is embellished with semi-opaque metallised black and black-varnished opaque areas while the upper sapphire crystal dial indicates the hour markers and minutes in luminescent white. The hour numerals and minutes hand are plated with 4N pink gold, recalling the luxurious colour of the red gold case. Just as beautifully crafted as the dial, the ergonomic case provides a view of the heart of the timepiece through three three-dimensional sapphire crystals.

Powered by the innovative calibre HL 2.0, the HL 2.6 displays the retrograde minutes on a 180° sector of the dial and the hours through a 12-link chain that moves forward each 60 minutes to indicate the hour. Right before the change of the hour, the retrograde minute hand returns back to zero, activating in turn the hour chain, with the entire mechanism rotating 60 degrees to change the position of the regulating organ. The kinematics of the movement are structured three-dimensionally through the use of special bevelled gears, thus giving the timepiece a truly impressive design.

A revolutionary movement for an exceptional timepiece

Launched in 2011, calibre HL 2.0 took four years of development to bring to life due to its mechanical complexity. Protected by three patents, this ground-breaking calibre was HAUTLENCE’s first in-house automatic movement and contributed to establishing HAUTLENCE among the most prestigious contemporary watchmakers.

The HL 2.6 , limited to 28 timepieces, benefits from the movement’s set of patents. The first patent pertains to the 12-link chain of the half-trailing hours, which smoothly advances in 3 to 4 seconds every 60 minutes to display the hour. Such a system differs from an instant system that switches the hours too fast for one to truly appreciate and from a dragging system whereby time cannot be easily read between the hours. The second patent relates to the regulating organ integrated into the mobile bridge-type movement. Its constantly changing position, driven by the display, compensates statistically for the effects of gravity, thus enhancing its precision. The third patent is linked to the operation of the movement’s two barrels. The main barrel is wound by the automatic-winding system of the movement and transfers the necessary energy to wind a second barrel that is dedicated exclusively to driving the complication. The main barrel continuously winds the second barrel so as to ensure that energy remains at an optimal level to change each hour. This ensures that these complex systems remain powered independently without impacting the precision of the watch.