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HYT Presents Its Most Minimalist Hydraulic Watch Yet

by Lee Sheng . Apr 6, 2024

News

HYT Presents Its Most Minimalist Hydraulic Watch Yet

A leap forward in design.

A young independent watchmaker established in 2012, HYT has carved a unique niche in the industry. While the idea of liquid-based time displays had been occasionally discussed in the watch community, HYT became the first, and remains the only, brand to bring it to life.

The brand’s journey has been marked by peaks and valleys. Its inaugural innovation garnered a prestigious GPHG prize, yet it also weathered challenges, particularly amidst the pandemic-induced downturn. However, the past two years have witnessed a marked resurgence, with the brand improving even further in design after its resurrection.

Today, under the distinct leadership of Chairman Vincent Perriard, HYT has opened a new chapter, one that is much more in sync with the contemporary watch customer.

Among the many changes to the product portfolio, Perriard shares in an interview with Revolution founder Wei Koh, were the focus on a reduction in case dimensions for greater wearability, the inclusion of more horological details, and even the introduction of métiers d’arts to the timepieces.

Says Perriard, “We started to reshape the design, the colors, and many other details to bring out the evolution of our watches. I think the most important thing was that we went smaller, we went more deeply into watchmaking details, and we are working with a movement that’s more powerful now, in order to introduce more functions as we go along.”

Indeed, perpetual innovation is very much the lifeblood of HYT. Adds general manager of HYT, Vahé Vartzbed, “It’s in HYT’s DNA to always question the status quo, to ‘Challenge the Norms’. In our motto, you find the ethos of boldness and innovation that defines HYT at its core. The Conical Tourbillon collection, for instance, which has sparked increasing demand for innovative and exceptionally high-quality watchmaking, is a perfect example of HYT’s knack for brilliantly blending tradition with avant-garde.”

HYT T1 Series

And right on cue, the latest HYT creation, the T1, serves as a testament to this evolution. The T1 represents a significant departure for the brand, presenting its most minimalist and streamlined watch to date, while steadfastly retaining its signature hydraulic timekeeping system.

The HYT T1 Series with a solid 'salmon' dial and an octagonal titanium case

So what’s new in the T1? The T1 features a closed dial, giving the watch a sleek and minimalist look. Previously, it wore its mechanical complexity on its sleeve, with all the inner workings visible on the front. The new design embraces a more refined and understated approach, which in turn, sets the stage for the brand’s unique fluid technology.

The hour display consists of a circular tube just underneath the hour markers, filled with liquid, with the boundary of the colored liquid inching forward to point at the hour markers. The combination of a fluid hour display and a traditional analog minute hand on a central dial is intriguing. The fluid display blends into the dial composition in a seamless and satisfying way, and reveals its uniqueness upon closer examination.

HYT T1 Series in deep blue and pink gold

While the rest of the dial is simple, it has just the right amount of detail for visual intrigue. For instance, the offset power reserve indicator at two o’clock is a good break-up to the symmetrical dial and gives it more dynamism. Additionally, the font of the numerals and the sunken and raised hour and minute markers are executed just right to give the dial an attractive appearance. The dial comes in four colors, ranging from silver to salmon to blue and dark grey, and they reflect a beautiful sunburst finish that dances with the light. The color of the liquid and case materials also differ accordingly to match the dial.

An elegant sunburst finish brings out the lovely warm glow of this salmon pink dial

The new T1 has downsized its case to just 45 mm — a departure from HYT's usual scale —making it certainly more wearable

Since the crystal occupies a significant portion of the case height, the perceived height of the watch will be somewhat flatter than the numerical measurement suggests

The Fluidic Time Display Reimagined

As mentioned, while the design has been streamlined, the most important element of HYT is retained, and is actually presented more clearly on the dial now, without distractions. But how does this liquid hour indicator work?

This liquid hour indicator utilizes two distinct fluids: one oil-based and the other water-based. The immiscibility of these liquids ensures a clear separation, with one colored and the other transparent. This creates a clear boundary within the tube, serving as an hour indicator. The colored liquid’s movement through the tube provides an intuitive representation of the time cycle. Hour by hour, the tube fills with colored liquid, and this process occurs over 12 hours before swiftly resetting in approximately one minute, ready for the next cycle.

Notice the refined circular brushed finishing and raised numerals on the bezel

Driving the hour indicator forward is a mechanism that continuously pumps colored liquid from the bottom left corner of the tube, while the colorless liquid exits the tube from the bottom right. Essentially, at the first hour, only the bottom left portion is filled with colored liquid, but by the twelfth hour, the entire tube is filled.

This process of pumping in and out of these two different liquids necessitates two separate reservoirs. Each reservoir is actuated by a bellow and driven by a piston. As the reservoir containing the tinted aqueous liquid expands and contracts, it pushes and pulls the liquids back and forth.

A dynamic view of the case back showcasing the pistons that drive the liquid display

Previously, this mechanism could be seen from the front, which took away a bit of the mystery of how it all works. The solid dial preserves the pleasure of discovery, while the signature bellow system can still be observed in all its mechanized glory on the back. This system is backed by seven patents and clinched the GPHG Innovation Prize in 2012.

The movement within is the cal. 501-CM, which made its debut in 2022. Comprising 352 individual components, this fully mechanical manual-winding caliber has been finished with all the hallmarks of high watchmaking such as bridges that have been finely sand-blasted or satin-finished. Meanwhile, the power reserve has been increased from 65 to 72 hours as it drives the complex yet mesmerizing system of two piston-driven bellows which push and pull the fluidic display in order to display the time. This intoxicating blend of science and technology, fine watchmaking and progressive design connects past, present and future like no other luxury timepiece in the industry today.

HYT T1 Series Tech Specs

Movement: 501-CM; manual-winding; 72 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, and power reserve indicator
Case: 45.3 mm x 46.3 mm x 17.2 mm; titanium or 18k pink gold; water resistant to 50 m
Strap: Rubber strap
Limited edition: No
Price: CHF 48,000 (titanium); CHF 65,000 (gold)

HYT T1 Series

The Fluidic Time Display Reimagined

HYT T1 Series Tech Specs

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