Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New HYT Flow
When fluid meets light!
HYT is an independent watchmaker like no other. With creations staging an offbeat dialogue between art and science, the brand has always been nimble and fast at innovation… from the very beginning and their core concept of displaying time with fluids. A few years ago, HYT had presented one of its most unexpected concepts, a batteryless LED-lit version of their H4. The concept now returns in a brand new, more elaborate version. Meet the HYT Flow.
Time became liquid with HYT. With Flow, it is visible both day and night, and on-demand. The new model is presented in an asymmetric 51mm steel case fitted with two crowns. The one at 2 o’clock is your standard crown for setting the time and winding the mechanical movement. The 4 o’clock crown is used to illuminate the watch. Triggered by a pusher, a miniaturized generator stores and dispels energy to activate LEDs. This “backlight” activator works without a battery, as it converts the mechanical energy stored in a barrel into electrical power.
It is practical and even pretty fun to play with. But besides this prime utilitarian function, light is a defining part of the aesthetics and of the concept of the watch. Under the impressive sapphire crystal, fluids and electric light set the scene. The tri-dimensional metallic dial decor mimics light waves radiating from the lower crown while revealing part of the mechanism below. A ring of Superluminova underneath the capillary further enlightens the passage of time as it flows. The new HYT Flow comes in two variations. Uniting light-art and jewellery, the first one stages a dome made of 73 baguette diamonds creating surprising plays of reflections and refractions when illuminated. The second one is fitted with a tapered shape creating a never-ending vortex down to the mechanical movement.
Like all of the brand’s models, the HYT Flow stands out with its fluidic hour indication. A capillary contains two immiscible liquids working in opposition, one is coloured (indicating the time that has passed) and the other is translucent. Their meeting point is a meniscus, which indicates “the now”. When the coloured liquid reaches 6 o’clock, it flows back to its original position in retrograde motion. Besides driving this fluid display of the hours, its mechanical movement indicates more traditionally the minutes and the power reserve. Visible via the exhibition case back, it runs at 4hz and it can store 65 hours of power reserve.
Presented on colourful rubber straps with a titanium folding buckle, the HYT Flow is released in two limited editions of 25 pieces. It retails for CHF 79,000 (Vortex) and CHF 149,000 (diamond dome). For further details, please consult www.hytwatches.com.
