HYT H1.0 BLUE Dial 48mm Stainless Steel SWISS HYDRO MECHANICAL Fluidic Movement

When the HYT H1.0 was launched, it broke one of the watch industry’s cardinal rules. While previous generations of watchmakers had devised methods to keep mechanical components sealed from the ruinous effect of moisture, HYT introduced liquid into the heart of a mechanical watch calibre. The end result of their pioneering invention is a new and fascinating method of marking the passing hours. The HYT H1.0 Blue carries a 48mm stainless steel case. Rising up steeply, its case sides feature horizontal grooves with deeply recessed linear Arabic numerals. Resting atop this imposing profile, a massive, box-domed sapphire crystal creates a vitreous showcase for the technical panorama beneath.

Around the perimeter of the dial, two immiscible liquids, one vivid blue liquid, the other transparent are contained within a tiny medical-grade glass capillary. Together they serve to indicate the hours. Breathing life into this remarkable feature, are two flexible, bellows. Viewable through apertures on the lower-dial, these multi-layer mechanisms release and contract to push and pull the liquids around the capillary in order to indicate the current hour. On the upper dial, a regulator at 12 indicates the minutes, while an indicator at 2.30 keeps check on the impressive 65-hour reserve of power. At the 9.30 location, a small seconds wheel whirs like a miniature turbine.

Intense blue accents on the minute’s hand, the power reserve and on the hour markers complement the fluidic hour indication and provide a superb contrast for the starkness of the stainless steel case. Turn the piece over, and a new exciting perspective is revealed through the sapphire caseback. Here, the exclusive HYT manual winding movement displays a remarkable blend of traditional and contemporary watchmaking, with beautiful hand-beveled and Côtes de Genève decorated bridges juxtaposed with the unique architecture provided by the reverse-side of the bellows. The HYT H1.0 Blue wears comfortably on a black rubber strap with a titanium folding buckle.