Itay Noy X-Ray Limited Edition Handmade Swiss Unitas 6497 Manual Wind 20/99 42mm

Itay Noy is an independent timepiece maker – one of a few dozen throughout the world. Since 2000 I have been creating limited-edition hand-crafted watches, one new collection every year.

A Review from A Blog To Watch:

His studio is located in the old city of Jaffa, where each watch is assembled to order, by hand; He makes about 150 pieces a year, all in my own original designs, using components & movements of the highest quality integrated with in-house dynamic dials, modules and complications.

The Itay Noy X-Ray watch collection as a concept continues to impress me. The idea of this newer piece isn’t overly complex but it is satisfying and poetic. I am not sure of what inspired him, but Israeli Itay Noy (a man and a brand) decided to show you what was under the dial of these watches – in what ironically is an unorthodox manner.

If you know anything about the watch world, you know that skeletonized dials on timepieces are very popular. Such watches show an actual view into the movements. What Itay Noy wanted to do was offer a traditional dial that illustrated what the movement looked like in a monochromatic tone. It is an artful presentation on the skeletonization concept done in a unique way. 

As an art watch the X-Ray is attractive and unique looking. Depending on your mood and how you look at it, the watch goes from being beautiful to ‘watch nerdy.’ It also makes me happy that Itay Noy chose not to use a traditional round case. Rather, it bulges where case screws are used to keep the sandwiched sections together. While a bit odd at first the case proves nice to look at and wear. The steel case is 41.6mm wide but feels larger thanks to the thin bezel. Detailing and finish on the case is good.

The X-Ray watch collection has four dial color variations and two dial designs. This piece is done in black with silvered imagery, while the converse view is always available. There are also two silver and gold style dials as well. The design of the dial has to do with the movement. Inside the X-Ray watch is either a Swiss ETA Unitas 6497-1 or 6498-1 manually wound movement. The difference between these two is just the orientation of the movement itself, which will effect what the x-ray image looks like.

One section of the dial is actually skeletonized, revealing one of the palette synthetic ruby jewels. Also on the dial are attractive hands that are properly sized as well as a sometimes hard to see subsidiary seconds hand that is off-centered. An Itay Noy logo plate is placed at the top of the dial while a similar but smaller plate is at the bottom signifying the number in the limited edition.

Attached to the watch is one of Itay Noy’s rather interesting and attractive hand-made leather straps. Here in black with a cream-colored stitching, it has has a stamped texture on the side of it while using a butterfly deployment clasp. The strap along with Itay Noy signed deployment clasp is nice, but the clasp itself needed to be worn in a bit to lock easily without a firm press.

Each of the four versions of the X-Ray watch are part of a limited edition of 99 pieces. With an interesting design and unique character, these are certainly of the most interesting indy watches from 2011 that don’t cost a fortune. They are also a good way to get into the Itay Noy brand. Original Price is $3,640- $3,900

Very rare piece and completely sold out! Incredible handmade Limited to only 99 pieces, this is #20/99 and comes complete with original box, Catalogue, Warranty letter, & original receipt!

BRAND: Itay NoyMODEL: X-Ray Limited Edition #20/99

MOVEMENT: Manual Wind – Swiss Unitas 6497

CASE: Stainless Steel

CROWN: Non screw down

SIZE: 41.6mm

LUGS: 22mm

DIAL: Hand-carved Dial

BEZEL: Non-rotating 

CONDITION: As-New 

BOXES/PAPERS: Complete Set. – everything you see in pictures

WATER RESISTANCE: – 30m

STRAP/BRACELET: – Original Itay Noy Black leather strap with signed stainless steel deployment buckle