Since I became the watch editor for Luxurious Magazine I have written several articles about exquisite timepieces.

All of the watches I have featured display enormous craftsmanship and exceptional design merit. As a writer I try to be as objective as possible and offer the reader a diverse range of content. Normally my selections do not conform to a certain genre, shape or size.

A couple of months ago owner Paul Godbold asked me to assist him in choosing the best ten timepieces of the year. It is fair to say that Paul and myself have completely different tastes in watches. As a discerning collector he favours classical pieces and I gravitate towards more contemporary designs. Nevertheless our collaboration was very successful and we finally selected 10 outstanding watches. One of our finalists was the sensational Hautlence HL2.4. This phenomenal timepiece combines Avant-Garde styling with precision engineering.

I am a huge admirer of the brand Hautlence as I feel they produce some of the best looking watches available on the market. The HLRQ 01 is a new and exciting model from the popular Avant-Garde collection. With a case size of 44mm x 12.5mm the timepiece is significantly smaller than the HL2.4 (which measures 50 mm x 42 mm x 17.8 mm). Realistically these dimensions should appeal to appreciators of the brand. On my own website I wrote an in depth review of the HLQ08, which is constructed from the same material (gold and titanium) and is a similar size. For that reason I would imagine that the HLRQ 01 would feel comfortable and lightweight on the wrist. I also think it would be a practical option for regular usage.

Aesthetically the HLRQ 01 has a unique and visually striking appearance. The façade is multi-layered which gives the watch a superior three-dimensional quality. The dial is composed of two counters displaying jumping hours and retrograde. There is also a really cool jumping date facility that is located at the 6 o’clock position. I love the exposed mechanical elements that give the watch real depth. Overall I can’t fault the attention to detail or the meticulous level of finishing.

To power the watch Hautlence have devised a highly accomplished calibre. The movement comprises 32-jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. Each of the 255 components has been expertly finished by hand including the chamfered bridges, which contain a Côtes de Genève motif. All the intricate mechanics of the watch are visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The HLRQ 01 features jumping hours, retrograde minutes and jumping date functions. It also has a power reserve of 40-hours and is water resistant to a depth of 30-metres.

The Hautlence HLRQ 01 has a hand sewn black alligator strap with matching folding clasp. Priced for collector at: CHF 41,500 (approximately $46,322).

You can read more reviews by Steve Huyton on his own website www.totalwatchreviews.com