First a new owner and now an entirely new product concept. At BaselWorld 2013, Hautlence, which was acquired by the MELB Holding company of Georges-Henri Meylan in 2012, presented the Destination collection—the first models produced in series and under its new “Signature” label, for the first time using externally sourced movements rather than the brand’s own in-house calibers.

Although the new models identify clearly with the signature designs of the models featuring Hautlence’s in-house calibers, which are produced under the “Atelier” label, the use of movements purchased from outside (from Soprod in this case), represents a major new direction for the brand. It also continues the brand’s gradual decrease in average price, which was first signalled with the launch of the Avant Garde HLRS (see our exclusive US Cover Story from October last year).

The Soprod 9351/A10-2 calibre is a self-winding movement with a large date at 12 o’clock and a dual-time sub-dial at 6 o’clock with a separate, off-centre day/night indicator. It is housed in a familiar TV-shaped titanium case that is typical of Hautlence and indicates the time against large Arabic numerals that appear to float in space, since they are mounted on an intermediate sapphire crystal to create a 3D effect – another signature element of the Hautlence design.

DESTINATION by Hautlence

The new Destination models will be available as a non-limited series from autumn 2013 in three different versions:

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
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