Baselworld 2016 Review – Hautlence Playground Labyrinth Watch

Written by Bojan Pavlovic on March 23, 2016 in Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show, Baselworld 2016 - No comments

Since 2004, Hautlence’s idea is to bring a new dynamic to the art of watchmaking. With its latest creation, they definitely brought something surprisingly different – the invention that does not tell the time.

Hautlence Playground Labyrinth features an unexpected complication in a watch – an outdated game. Although the Labyrinth does not tell the time, it is perfectly aligned with the excellence in watchmaking that is embedded in the brand’s DNA. This entirely new complication in a watchmaking industry activates a clever mechanical lift which feeds the ball onto the board using a camshaft system visible via the transparent back by moving the crown.

Hautlence Playground Labyrinth Watch Red Gold

The maze-styled dial is carved in solid gold with a forged platinum ball. There is a choice between 5N red gold with a polished platinum ball and white gold with a 5N red gold ball. The watch is housed in a rectangular titanium case which measures 37mm x 43.5mm and it is 13mm thick. With the rectangular case, Hautlence is going back to its roots.

The case is shielded with the extra-hard beveled anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The reverse side of the watch reveals the engravings “HAUTLENCE”, “Horlogerie Suisse”, “Playground-Labyrinth 01″, as well as numbering of each piece.

Hautlence Playground Labyrinth Watch White Gold

The Labyrinth is the very first model from the new Playground collection which plays with the idea of absolute disconnect. With this collection, Hautlence plans to extend beyond the original goal of telling time, bringing a new chronometric aspect to the table, together with the challenge to disconnect and allow ourselves to once again take the time to play.

Hautlence Playground Labyrinth comes attached to either a brown or black hand-sewn Louisiana alligator leather strap.

This quite unusual novelty will be officially presented this week at Baselword 2016. It is produced in the limited quantity of only 18 pieces. The retail price is 12,000 Swiss francs, which makes this piece the world’s most expensive ball maze game that you can wear on your wrist.