Hautlence: New Management, New Models

DonCorson · 2012-11-11T10:24:48Z

Explore Hautlence's strategic shift: new management, La Chaux-de-Fonds workshops, and the Avant-Guarde HLrs. DonCorson's exclusive report.

DonCorson

WPS member · Independents forum

8 replies3022 views25 photos

DonCorson offers an exclusive look into Hautlence's pivotal transition, detailing their new management, relocated workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds, and a restructured model lineup. This report is crucial for understanding the brand's strategic shift and its implications for future collections, particularly the new Avant-Guarde HLrs series. His firsthand account provides valuable context for a brand navigating both technical innovation and market challenges.

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A visit with Hautlence in La Chaux-de-Fonds

As you certainly remember we have been following Hautlence watches and their CEO Guillaume Tetu now for several years. As many other manufacturers they have had some difficult years recently, but have also shown some amazing work, such as the HL2. Not a watch for everyone, but an astounding technical accomplishment and a real talking piece.

I was recently able to visit Hautlence in their new quarters in La Chaux-de-Fonds together with AndrewD. Guillaume presented the new shareholder situation which, they hope, will assure the perenity of Hautlence and their new model alignment. Lastly we saw the first prototypes of their newest models and visited the workshops.

Firstly, the new quarters in La Chaux-de-Fonds are propice for a new start. Before they were in a historic building in downtown Neuchâtel, cramped in small rooms and dark with small windows. Their new home on the fourth floor in an old watch factory is flooded with natural light with big windows and suggests an opening to the world for their new start. They have plenty of space and can grow.

The big news is the entry of Georges-Henri Meylan and two others of his team into the management of Hautlence. The ex-CEO of AP and his family holding is out looking for promising investments and has been able to provide Hautlence with a new management structure and knowledge of the markets that will profit them for years to come. (Note that Mr. Meylan and his holding have in the last weeks also taken a participation in the group producing H-Moser Watches in Schaffhausen)

The first effect of this new management is a realigning of the Hautlence model pallete. The models are now separated in 3 groups, Origine, Avant-Guarde and Concepts d’Exception pieces. In general Origin englobes the different HL models, Avant-Guarde the more sporty HLs models and Concepts d’Exception the HL2.

We got to see the first prototypes of the new Avant-Guarde models the HLrs

These models retain the distinguishing features of the HLs but have been reengineered to reduce the assembly costs. The finishing continues to be top notch. These watches will be made in unlimited series and form the new Hautlence entry level models.

Here an Origine HL with a honeycomb dial. The dials are made by drilling all the holes and then milling each of the combs to their hexagonal shape using a 0.1mm mill. The top surface is then mirror polished.

Some decorated bridges for the round movement HLq

Partially decorated plates

On the computer screen the honeycomb dial looks like this

On the work bench like this

The watchmakers shop

Cleaning an Origine HL plate before assembly starts.

Testing an Origine HLc.

Guillaume Tetu showing us the production documents that allow Hautlence to retrace all of the over 1000 watches they have sold since their beginning. For each watch, its exact components as it left the factory and any changes that may have been made since then during service or customer requests.

I hope that with this new management and product line-up Hautlence has a new basis that will allow them to grow and wish to thank Guillaume Tetu for his kind welcome at their new site.

Some past PuristSPro threads concerning Hautlence:
Up close with the Hautlence HLQ
A Visit to HAUTLENCE 2008
Hautlence HL one-of-a-kind unique pieces

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2012-11-12 19:57:50 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2012-11-19 07:31:20

Key Points from the Discussion

The new Avant-Guarde HLrs models, despite being non-gold, are priced similarly to older gold models, creating a confusing market proposition and impacting resale value. The brand needs to address this pricing strategy and support retailers with sales.
The movements are technically intriguing, but the new case design is less preferred than previous models.
As a Hautlence owner, it's great to see the new model on a wrist and learn more about the manufacture and its team.
The new base model line looks great, and there is hope for Guillaume Tetu, his team, and Georges-Henri Meylan's new management.

The Discussion

RobCH

Nov 12, 2012

Hope all goes well from here on in for Guillaume and his team and Mr Meylan... The new base model line looks great!

bahchovanski

Nov 12, 2012

But you have to visit them EVERY year, maybe even twice per year! :) Thank you!

Geo

Nov 13, 2012

Not only great to seeing the new model on a wrist, but also to seeing some more about the Manufacture and the people that work there. As a proud Hautlence owner I enjoyed your post very much! GEO

monochrome

Nov 13, 2012

PS. still dreaming of that HL Ti01 you showed in the photos

VMM

Nov 13, 2012

Very nice movements, I like them, technically intriguing. Not sure about the new case, I think I prefer the previous model. Thanks for sharing. Vte :)

sybelite

May 8, 2013

Is that they have somewhat been liquidated and now there old models in gold are retail over 30k and sell for under 20. Now the new ones are retail low 30's and hope to sell for mid 20's and this is just for titanium, no gold. Just doesn't make sense. They need to somehow bridge the gap, why would I buy brand new stock that is non gold compared to old new stock that is in gold for less? They need to figure there stuff out, adjust there prices and need to tell retailers to offer sales. There is no

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