Dual Time Chocolate

The AHC Dual Time “Chocolate” represents a captivating collaboration between Atelier Haute Complication and The Limited Edition, produced in an exclusive series of just 19 pieces. A debut creation that perfectly bridges artistic architecture and fine horology, it showcases the remarkable vision of independent watchmaker Vladimir Négault, whose work combines visual depth, mechanical ingenuity, and poetic time interpretation. A trained architect and digital animator, Négault’s journey into watchmaking began under the mentorship of François-Paul Journe, one of the great contemporary Masters of independent horology. Initially commissioned to produce digital visuals for F.P. Journe in the early 2000s, Négault’s creative precision and mechanical curiosity led to a full-time collaboration, during which he worked closely on the brand’s intricate movements. Years later, he established Atelier Haute Complication in 2022, unveiling his first creation, the Dual Time, as a statement of design purity and technical sophistication.

Presented in matte-blasted titanium, the 41 mm case (9 mm thick, 20 mm inter-lug) embodies architectural minimalism, its subdued texture framing a Havana-brown dial that gives the “Chocolate” edition its distinctive warmth. The upper half of the dial features a blue day/night display that transitions seamlessly from the star-studded night sky to the pale dawn horizon. This elegant arc corresponds to the home time zone, while the central dial provides local time. The applied numerals, sculpted in high relief, and the blued, round-polished hands enhance legibility and visual drama. The dial, meticulously angled, hammered, and PVD-treated, captures light in subtle layers, emphasising the watch’s architectural inspiration. Beneath, the proprietary German Silver movement remains unplated, revealing its natural golden hue. Each calibre is sandblasted, circular-grained, and bevelled by hand, comprising 187 components (220 cased) with 28 rubies. The Glucydur balance beats at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) with a 42-45-hour power reserve, maintaining an amplitude of 300° to 280° over 24 hours. Paired with a soft brown calf strap echoing the Havana dial tones, the AHC Dual Time “Chocolate” unites ergonomic comfort with refined craftsmanship, a testament to mechanical artistry and an emblem of the enduring partnership between Atelier Haute Complication and The Limited Edition.