Haute-Rive is a young, independent watch brand with a long family tradition. Founded by Stéphane von Gunten, an engineer and watchmaker with experience at Patek Philippe and Ulysse Nardin, the brand takes its name from the historic workshop of his ancestor Irénée Aubry, founded in 1888 on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel. Aubry was known for pocket watches with long power reserves, including pieces that could run for weeks, and this exceptional autonomy is the basis of Haute-Rive's Honoris series, which premiered in 2023.
The Honoris is a wristwatch with a power reserve of 1,000 hours (41 days) from a single barrel, a partially open dial and a flying tourbillon regulator. The latest Honoris Strato Verde and Strato Blu introduce a new material to the collection for the first time: steel, which was previously only available in gold. The aesthetic is now shifting towards a more contemporary look, perhaps even toned down a bit, arguably more wearable, but without compromising on mechanics.
The Honoris Strato maintains the collection's case dimensions, with a diameter of 42.5mm and a height of just 11.95mm (all the more impressive considering the power the movement can deliver). The further development lies in the use of high-quality stainless steel, which is selected for its purity, corrosion resistance and long-term stability. It is important that this is not a simplification. The steel case is finished to the same standards as previous gold editions with polished and brushed surfaces. Polished areas reflect light sharply, while brushed areas provide contrast. Above the case there is a glass-sapphire crystal with a double anti-reflective coating. The rotating bezel used to wind the barrel is now slightly redesigned and features fewer serrations. The function selector at 2 o'clock and the small crown remain. The water resistance is 30 m.
The Honoris series treats the dial as a stage for the mechanics, particularly in the Honoris Meccanica line. This tradition continues with the Strato Verde and the Strato Blu. The Strato Verde features a dark green dial with a grainy texture inspired by the “changing tones of Lake Neuchâtel under stormy skies.” The Strato Blu gets a rich blue dial with a brushed surface that is reminiscent of light reflections on water.
The dial design remains inviting. The characteristic “Wheel of Time” dominates the display at 12 o’clock. This large transmission wheel transfers energy from the barrel to the gear train. The central gear train is partially exposed (held by a four-column bridge that appears more angular than previous versions), a visual connection between the power source and the regulator, the flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock. Next to the selector button, the column wheel for switching functions is exposed, with a tiny opening for the function display. Also visible are the crown shaft and its sliding pinion, which sit in the perforated “channel”. No fully revealed movement; The dial opens up to reveal the essentials, so the overall appearance remains captivating but not too complex.
The hour and minute hands, another distinctive element, feature two different surfaces, one polished and one satin. The name Haut-Rive balances the trunk channel that extends from the 9 o'clock mark.
The heart (and soul and engine) of the Honoris Strato is the in-house caliber HR01, a hand-wound movement constructed around a single barrel with a mainspring over three meters long, providing a power reserve of approximately 1,000 hours or 41 days. This puts it in a very limited group of mechanical watches with ultra-long autonomy, such as the A. Lange & Söhne 31 with 31 days of power reserve, the Hublot MP-05 with 50 days of autonomy on 11 barrels coupled in series.
Unlike long-running movements that rely on multiple barrels, Haute-Rive focuses on optimizing torque transfer from a single source. The barrel is integrated into the main plate for compactness and stability. The system is designed to maintain a relatively constant amplitude over a large portion of its running time. Winding occurs via the rotating bezel, a clever solution given the energy required to tension such a long mainspring: a conventional crown would not suffice. To set the time, the pusher at 2 o'clock must be pressed, which activates a column wheel-based function selector. There is no need to pull the crown. The flying tourbillon operates at 18,000 vibrations per hour. The escapement features an angled lever paired with a variable inertia balance wheel. On the back, a power reserve indicator provides important information about the remaining autonomy, which is very important for a watch that runs for over a month.
The Strato Verde is worn on a deep green calfskin strap, while the Strato Blu is worn on a blue fabric strap, providing a slightly more modern texture and a different interaction with light. Both are closed with a stainless steel pin buckle.
Production of the entire Honoris collection is limited and consists of approximately 10 watches per year. Each watch is made to order; The prices for Honoris Strato Verde and Strato Blu are at 128,000 francs (excl. taxes). The introduction of steel is not about affordability; The new versions expand the visual and material spectrum of the series. Further information can be found at haute-rive-watches.ch.
https://monochrome-watches.com/the-new-steel-editions-of-the-haute-rive-honoris-the-strato-verde-strato-blu/