With the HL Newton model, the Neuchâtel brand has added a new caliber to its collection, featuring an idiosyncratic reworking of the jumping hour mechanism that introduces a new time display principle. Using a system based on gravitational force, the HL Newton indicates the time only when required. The watch enters mechanical standby mode whenever the passing minutes are of no interest.
Equipped with a new self-winding manufacture calibre, this piece uses the jumping hour principle, with the caveat that the usual criteria have been entirely revisited by the Neuchâtel brand. Instead of the hour jumping in a static window, Hautlence opted for a moving window that approaches the hour numeral. It all happens under the effect of gravity, using a mobile window supported on three bearings with an off-center weight.
A central wheel skeletonised in the form of the Moebius symbol, drives the blued minute hand, which is tipped with a white arrow. It also actuates the silvered opaline disc featuring the skeletonised hours. While the hours and minutes follow their inexorable trajectory, a mobile central flange with a blue DLC coating is driven by a snail, which performs a full revolution every 60 minutes. This weighted flange, which bears the brand's logo, features the minute track numerals and a window that displays the time, when desired by the wearer. The flange then moves to the correct location, bringing the window to the hour and the minute track opposite the hand.
Technical Specifications:
The case, in titanium, measures 39mm x 46mm x 12mm. It has double AR-coated sapphire crystals and it is water resistant to 30 meters.
Movement is the Swiss automatic Hautlence in-house caliber HTL 201-1 with a power reserve of 3 days. Jumping hours using a gravitational on-demand time display, with the minutes on a 330° sector. Front face finish: sand-blasted module, components decorated and finished by hand. Reverse finish: double Cotes de Genève, components decorated and finished by hand.
Base dial: opaline with silvered inserts engraved with honeycomb pattern; Silvered opaline hour disc with skeletonised numerals. Mobile window with blue DLC, white transfer minute numerals.
It comes on a rolled-edge, blue Louisiana alligator leather strap, rubber-lined, with full square scales and a titanium folding clasp.
MSRP is 26,900 Swiss Francs.
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