WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE A REBEL
Sandro Reginelli believes in the individualism of Hautlence, a message made clear by the novelties for the year.
Two Hautlence timepieces are placed on a coffee table before Hautlence CEO Sandro Reginelli. He picks them up in turn. First, the Vortex Gamma then the Moebius. While Vortex Gamma is recognisably Hautlence from its shape, Moebius is essentially a wraparound sapphire viewing window for the movement within. And what a movement it is: a modified version of the HL2.0 with a 12-link chain for the hours and a central retrograde minutes display. At the base, a double-axis tourbillon rotates with a flourish.
“Here we have two different products, although at the heart they are the same. Two pieces of kinetic art, yet one emphasises the exterior, while the other highlights the inside,” says Reginelli. “For Vortex Gamma, we are the first to use this material in horology; a polymer containing nanotubes of ceramic. From this injection process, we are able to play with colours because the process is not a coating or PVD.”
There is much daring and madness at play here, to be sure. But Reginelli believes that this disruptive behaviour is good for the watchmaking ecosystem. “There is an enduring value in the more classical pieces of the established brands for sure. Connoisseurs, however, will be also increasingly attracted by us, doing things our own way. I believe this helps the whole industry.”
Ultimately, this leads to Reginelli’s ethos on watchmaking. “Whenever I make a decision, I always come back to the first day when I and my co-founders were signing the charter together, the reason we did it.
“I remind myself of this every day: follow your vision and be close to your customers. The latter because you have to educate them and pass your passion onto them directly so that they understand your brand and your product.” www. hautlence.com ≠
“Connoisseurs, however, will be also increasingly attracted by us, doing things our own way.”