A watch of instantly identifiable aesthetics and an utterly beguiling personality, the Dual Time by independent watchmaker Vladimir Négault and his brand Atælier Haute Complication is a piece which combines the practicality of a second time zone function with technical sophistication and the exclusive individuality of its quirky, yet irresistible design.

Continuing the legacy of this remarkable creation, which has quickly assumed a cult status among discerning collectors of independent watchmaking, the Dual Time Black Label edition sees the now-familiar dial configuration, with decentralised dial and rotating day/night disc given a dark and brooding appearance, thanks to the black detailing which transforms the character of the original, whilst still remaining unerringly faithful to the Dual Time formula.

Manufactured in an edition of only 19 pieces, the Dual Time Black label is presented in a rounded case of Grade 5 titanium, which measures 41mm across and a slender 9mm in height. Lightweight and with short lugs ensuring an exceptionally comfortable fit on almost any wrist size, it still packs an impressive presence on the wrist.

The silvery-grey titanium has a matte finish and around the bezel, the name and series number are found on the front of the case in black print, as opposed to the much more common approach of being on the underside.

Beneath the subtly domed sapphire crystal, the dial is an elaborate, multi-part construction. Foremost, the hours and minutes (local time) are displayed on a white dial which features plump numerals at the 3, 6, 9 and 12. A minutes track around the periphery and tapering, skeletonised hands as well as the visible dial-side screw heads are all design nuances which offer a visual mark of respect to the watchmaker’s great friend and mentor F.P.Journe, under whose watchful eye, he mastered his craft.

The local time dial is screwed onto a black sapphire disc out of which an arced aperture is cut, and beneath which a day/night disc rotates in a 24-hour cycle. Graduating from the light blue which demarks daytime into the starry darkness of night time, the ‘home time’ is indicated by an arrow pointer with a sun for day and a crescent moon for night.

On the underside a sapphire caseback provides a view of the fascinating, almost spartan layout of the Architecture Mécanique No.1 manual winding calibre which beats within. Designed and developed in-house, this remarkable mechanism is manufactured in untreated German silver which will patinate with age, with each component meticulously finished by hand, and runs at a leisurely 21’600 vib/h (3Hz), with a power reserve of circa 42 hours from its single barrel.

Fitted on a black leather strap with titanium pin buckle, the Dual Time Black Label edition is a fabulous and eye-catching interpretation of this contemporary classic from one of the most convention-defying watchmakers of our time.