Hautlence made it names with the HL01 retrograde minutes and jump hour wristwatch that was the brand’s first timepiece. For its new entry level timepiece, Hautlence – an anagram of Neuchâtel where it is based – has taken the signature cushion case of the HL01 and combined it with an Soprod twin time zone movement, to create the Destination.

The first Hautlence timepiece with an outsourced movement, the Destination uses the A10 from movement maker Soprod. Mechanically the movement is simple and functional, but not outstanding. What sets the Destination apart are the dial, case and crystal, each of which is elaborate, well finished and obviously expensively manufactured.

A sub-dial at six o’clock shows the hours of the second time zone, and to its right is the day and night indicator. And at 12 o’clock is an oversized date display.

The dial is a complex structure with lots of attractive details. A fine honeycomb structure forms the centre of the dial, a motif that echoes the dials of the early HL01 watches. Through the honeycomb the double date discs are just visible.  Most of the dial is finished with a fine linear brushing, vertical for the chapter ring and radial for the oversized, triangular 12 o’clock marker. Even the minute track has a brushed finish matching the strokes of the minute markers. And for an attractive contrast, the recess for the large date is sandblasted.

Just above the dial, and below the crystal is another clear sapphire dial, on which the numerals and Hautlence logo are applied. The double layered construction leaves the numbers levitating, casting the faintest of shadows on the dial below.

The floating loops of the Hautlence logo

Sitting a tad above the case is the sapphire crystal with beautiful bevelled edges on all eight sides of the crystal, secured by four screws at each corner. This no doubt makes it prone to chips but the form and angles of the sapphire crystal are worthy of admiration.

The long, bevelled edge of the sapphire crystal

All three bevels of the crystal meet at each corner

The case is similarly detailed in its execution, with lots of angular forms, in keeping with the overall style of the watch. The case back is solid, and engraved with various time zone offsets. A small porthole at the bottom reveals the balance wheel of the Soprod A10.

Made by Soprod, a movement and component specialist, the A10 is automatic with a 42 hour power reserve. While it is Swiss made, the calibre is based on a design licensed from Seiko and similar to the Seiko calibre 4L25. If anything, this provides assure that the movement is robust and reliable. Shown here is the Destination 02 in titanium, which retails for 20,000 Swiss francs, or about US$22,400. Other variants range from the Destination 03 in black coated titanium for 22,000 francs (~US$24,700), or the Destination 01 and 04, both in black titanium and rose gold, for 30,000 francs (~US$33,600). Delivery begins in the third quarter of 2014.