HATTON LABS x MAD's Portcullis Timepiece Draws Inspiration From the Middle Ages

London-based jewelry brand HATTON LABS has teamed up with MAD to unveil their collaborative timepiece, Portcullis — an alluring treasure for the wrists reimagined from a 37mm Royal Oak. Both the concept and name are derived from the heavy, medieval fortified gates found in many European castles, prominently French and British ones during the Middle Ages. Incorporated to close off the castle during a siege, these vertically closing gates were typically made of strong wood and metal in a latticed grille structure.

For this collaborative timepiece, the two brands reconceptualized the construction of portcullis gates with the use of precious stones and metals. Arriving in an all-mirrored polish finish, the timepiece masterfully interplays with shadow and light, creating a lustrous display that glimmers with mesmerism.

The portcullis concept is reinterpreted in the form of 40 pyramid baguette diamonds, which are cut and set in an irregular, upside-down manner along the bezel to form a fortress-like caging around the dial. This particular method also creates a visual effect of diamond spikes that contrasts and accentuates the sleek metal build, thus highlighting its embodiment of strength and delicate beauty.

The dial takes on a minimalistic approach, leaving only a logo and lume-filled hour and minute hands on the watch face. In the dark, the seafoam-colored lume on the underneath sides of the handset is reflected on the mirror silver dial. Echoing the hue of the lume, the crown is set with a pyramid-cut sapphire in a complementing green. The integrated bracelet extends from the case in a matching finish with a single pyramid-cut white diamond adorning the middle links.

Inside, the timepiece retains its original in-house 3120 caliber. Viewable through the transparent sapphire crystal caseback, the automatic movement is geared with 60 hours of power reserve and beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph.

Launching exclusively on HBX in an ultra-limited run of 5 pieces, the Portcullis timepiece is now available for pre-order for $158,000 USD.