Tatler Malaysia

TIME UNUSUAL

Hautlence has never learnt to play by the rules, and that is just how one of its owners, Bertrand Meylan, likes it,

- writes Brian Cheong

The screen of the smartwatch goes dark to conserve energy when it is not in use, but a mechanical watch with a ‘sleep’ mode? That is the crux of Hautlence’s new HL Newton, a watch powered by an innovative automatic movement that displays the correct time only when you want it to. When you’re not checking the watch, it becomes ‘inactive.’ The dial of HL Newton is fitted with a mobile central flange in DLC blue and inscribed with the minute numerals. It makes one full rotation every 60 minutes. A cutout on the flange leaves an opening to show the hour, its numerals just below the flange. The flange also circles around a skeletonis­ed wheel that drives a blued minute hand. When the watch is not in use, the flange goes out of sync with the hour hand. Only when it is in the vertical position (similar to the position of the wrist when you look at the watch) will the flange ‘jump’ to the correct hour and thus, display the current time. Bertrand Meylan, CEO of MELB Asia Limited, calls this unusual way of reading time completely in line with Hautlence’s penchant for “seeing time differentl­y.” MELB owns Hautlence and H Moser & Cie. “The modern society is consumed by the concept of time and our lives are practicall­y dictated by time. We wanted something that allows us to be present and only shows us the time when we really want to see it,” he says. The fact that the correct time only displays when a certain action is performed enhances its appeal. “We like that there needs to be some sort of a gesture to read time, lending it a personal touch.” Leading with innovation, clearly Hautlence enjoys putting an original spin on the wristwatch, eschewing the traditiona­l twohand for the unexpected. For instance, its Vagabonde model consists of one central minute disc and three satellite hour discs positioned on different levels on the dial. In order to display the time, each of these discs is calibrated to perform their own sets of rotations, creating a mesmerisin­g dance that

no other two-hand model could achieve. The Vagabonde recently welcomed a tourbillon model, with the gravity-cancelling mechanism adding another animated visual treat. In terms of design, Hautlence also tends to march to the beat of its own drum. Both Newton and Vagabonde come in a TV screenshap­ed case, enhancing their distinctiv­eness. “The person who buys a Hautlence watch is someone who wants to be different,” notes Meylan. “He or she wants to stand out from the crowd. It’s definitely not by chance that one ends up wearing a Hautlence.” Is it difficult to maintain the innovative

“We always feel that we can go to even more extremes, whether in terms of the shape or the calibres”

spirit? “No. In fact, we always feel that we can go to even more extremes, whether in terms of the shape or the calibres,” Meylan exclaims. “The watch industry is consistent­ly reinventin­g itself and I certainly believe there are many more possibilit­ies for us to explore.” He adds: “Our advantage is that our watches are immediatel­y recognisab­le yet unique. We live in a time when it’s not enough to be just about the products—we need to tell stories too. We like to have the element of surprise. That’s what keeps our customers coming back for more.” Speaking of which, Meylan hints at a completely new calibre that will be unveiled next year. He brainstorm­s ideas regularly with his team that consists of his father and founder of MELB, Georges-henri Meylan, and his brother, Edouard, who heads up H Moser & Cie. “That’s one of the best parts of the job. We get to wake up every day and create amazing watches.”

 ??  ?? TWO OF A KIND A look at the Vagabonde model which features a tourbillon; a view of the inner workings of the HL Newton
TWO OF A KIND A look at the Vagabonde model which features a tourbillon; a view of the inner workings of the HL Newton
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 ??  ?? HEAD HE HONCHO Bertrand Meylan acts as CEO of MMELB Asia Limited—the company which owns Hahautlenc­e and H Moser & Cie
HEAD HE HONCHO Bertrand Meylan acts as CEO of MMELB Asia Limited—the company which owns Hahautlenc­e and H Moser & Cie
 ??  ?? The HL Newton employs a gravitatio­nal system which allows the watch to enter a mechanical standby mode PHYSIC MARVEL
The HL Newton employs a gravitatio­nal system which allows the watch to enter a mechanical standby mode PHYSIC MARVEL

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