Hautlence Retrovision ’47

Hautlence, a Swiss luxury watch brand founded in 2004, recently announced the Retrovision ‘47, a limited edition series that has already captivated the watchmaking world. Originally presented at Watches & Wonders 2024, the centrepiece quickly turned into a coveted collectable. Inspired by a sense of nostalgia and the brand’s 20th anniversary, Hautlence envisioned what their watches might have looked like in the 1940s. The overwhelmingly positive feedback encouraged them to produce a special series of just 10 pieces, aptly named Retrovision ‘47.

The distinct rectangular Hautlence case with rounded edges is modelled after television sets of the past. Like its content was always intended to be animated and intriguing, the television case is a perfect fit for the brand’s quirky, kinetic take on mechanical watchmaking.

The historical object that ultimately served as the source of inspiration for this exceptional piece isn’t a television set at all, but it’s close enough. Made by the General Television & Radio Corp. Chicago in the 1940s, the “Model 5A5” is a radio broadcast receiver. Its design set the template for the overall form of televisions of that era, with its segmenting of the screen and speaker as well as its dials and knobs. Easy enough to carry around the house but visually outstanding as a sculptural piece, the General Television & Radio Corp. Chicago Model 5A5 represents the perfect harmony between form and function, with its own distinct look.

Handcrafted in a hand-painted titanium case with a cuboidal form featuring soft, rounded corners, the Hautlence Retrovision ’47 mimics the look of the marbled green and white Bakelite of the historical broadcast receiver’s case. Almost a miniaturized version of the radio converted into a wristwatch, it features titanium attachments that serve as lugs in the form of carrying handles, with the crown at 6 o’clock to maintain the case’s symmetry. The red leather strap adds a vintage touch to this otherworldly creation that could have come from an alternate timeline in Hautlence’s history.

One could even say that the Retrovision ’47 is the most traditional Hautlence ever made, as it features a proper hour and minute dial with central hands. On a small offset dial on the right side with a flat rectangular sapphire crystal, the red hands take on the three-dimensional form of the frequency selector dial, with the dial done in brass and 2N gold with an embossed pattern made of the Hautlence Möbius emblem. On the left side of the case, is the “speaker” grill, under which the wearer can make out a 60-second flying tourbillon whirling away.

The case back is modelled after the back of the Model 5A5 radio receiver, with a specifically shaped plate engraved with the brand name and serial number. The round sapphire display back features some general information in the same vein as the radio and offers a view of the D20 automatic calibre, which provides a power reserve of 72 hours.