As a follow up to the HL Sphere 01, Swiss watchmaker Hautlence has created a second more advanced version.

Introducing the Hautlence HL Sphere 02 — presented in an 18K white gold case (46 mm x 39 mm x 15.75 mm) with what the company refers to as its TV screen-shaped case and featuring a prominent jumping hour display that spins on a sphere.

The blue spherical hour indication features twelve engraved numerals and rotates on itself through three rotation axes to reveal the current hour. The sphere construction consists of polished grade 5 titanium with blue PVD treatment, laser engraved numerals, and white lacquer filling.

According to Hautlence, “This hypnotic dance, which initially appears totally random, actually follows a strict choreography, dictated by a conical differential including four conical gears that move around two crossed spindles inclined at an angle of 21 degrees. Two polished titanium cases featuring a blue PVD treatment adorn this tridimensional complex system to form a sphere.”

On the right of the hour sphere is a retrograde minute display with a blue hand that starts at 00 every hour and moves along the minute track until it hits 60, at which point it instantly springs back to 00 and begins again. The hand consists of a satin-finished grade 5 titanium with blue PVD treatment and white lacquer filling. Through this display, you can also see part of the balance wheel as it oscillates to and fro behind the dial.

“The differential and snail used to trigger the jumping hour can also be seen beneath the minute hand. The minute track and the applied diamond-polished and metal blue minute numerals are fixed to an intermediary rose gold grained dial. The design of this dial adds a delicate vintage touch to the HL SPHERE 02, contrasting with the utterly contemporary look of this creation.”

Driving the unique jumping hour sphere and retrograde minute display is Hautlence hand-wound caliber 501-1 which beats at 3Hz, has 38 jewels, and boasts a 72-hour power reserve when fully wound. The barrel is skeletonized and reveals the barrel spring which provides a visual indication of the remaining power reserve, although it’s not a power indicator per se.